The 42nd NEDLANDS JUNIOR MASTERS was played on Sunday March 5 and Monday March 6, attracting a talented field of 50 boys and 28 girls from around the state.
The history of the Nedlands Junior Masters has been well documented and the names of two new winners will be added to the Honour Board in the downstairs bar. The Board was presented by Ian MacDonald, a long-time sponsor of the Junior Masters.
Our loyal Major Sponsors joined us again this year, SRIXON as naming rightssponsor and RETRAVISION CANNINGTON as the major supporting sponsor. We acknowledge with appreciation their continuing support.
Joining the Major Sponsors were our supporting Sponsors, including APC GROUP, PERTH STITCHING, GOLF BOX JOONDALUP, COCA COLA AMATIL, BAKERS DELIGHT SUBIACO, WEIR’S BUTCHER BROADWAY. We thank them for their contribution.
FIRST ROUND SUMMARY
Fifty Boys and twenty-eight Girls set out on Sunday morning in their quest for the Nedlands Junior Masters titles. Thirteen of those held handicaps of Scratch or better, so some good scoring was expected. The weather on both days was warm and the “Doctor” was fresh during the afternoons.
Some of the Highlights from Round One were-.
BOYS
Joseph Buttress from the WA Golf Club completed his morning round with an excellent 3 under par (69.) His card was “bogey free” and his 3 birdies came on the 8th, 9th and 14th – none of which are considered real birdie chances.
He led from the defending champion, George Barclay (Joondalup) and Ollie Marsh (Lakelands) both on two under 70 with Riley Gott a further stroke back on 71.
It could have been different for Ollie as unlike the leader he had bogeys on holes 8 and 9 – 4 shots different to Joseph.
George Barclay had 6 birdies in his round but his driver let him down on occasions which led to his 4 bogeys.
Riley Gott started slowly and was 2 over after 3 holes. Three birdies and no more bogeys saw him return a one under par 71.
GIRLS
The scoring with the girls was not as good as the boys with only two players able to match par – Joondalup member Celine Chen and Kortni Houston (Royal Fremantle). Mia Lawson (Joondalup) was one over par. Valerie Khuu (Mount Lawley) was next on two over par.
The highlight of Celine’s round was an Eagle on the par 5 14th.
Kortni had two birdies and two bogeys in her even par 74.
What could it have been for Mia – after 14 holes she was 3 under par but disaster on the 15th – double bogey A bogey on 16 and 18 undid all of her good work, but she was only one off the pace and in with a good chance.
The same could be said about Valerie who accumulated 6 birdies in her 76. A double and 6 bogeys and only 5 pars made up her final score.
The defending Champion, Amanda Gan (Mount Lawley), started her defence disastrously with a double bogey at the first followed by a bogey. Three further bogeys followed which were matched by 3 birdies and a 3 over round of 77.
Following the completion of the first round Celine Chen and Kortni Houston on evenpar led from Mia Lawson a shot further back. Then Valerie Khuu on 76 and the defending champion 3 off the pace.
FINAL ROUND SUMMARY
Once again pleasant warm conditions prevailed throughout the second round with a gusty sea breeze in the afternoon.
In the Boys, it seemed to be a tussle between the top 6 who were paired in the final two groups and in the Girls, the top 5 who were within 3 shots of one another.
BOYS
Joseph Buttress increased his lead after 9 holes and with a 4 under front nine he led by 5 shots from the defending champion, George Barclay with Riley Gott a further shot away. Ollie Marsh was next a further shot back.
On the back nine Riley Gott started with a bogey and double bogey which put paid to his chances. He finished with 76 for the day and a total of 147.
George Barclay finished square for the day and a total of 144.
Ollie Marsh could do little better and his second round 76 saw him finish with 146.
A back nine of 1 over was enough to secure victory for Joseph Buttress. He finished the day with a fine 3 under par 69 for an overall total of 138 and the winner by 4 shots from the defending champion George Barclay.
After Joseph’s 69 the next best score of the day belonged to Joondalup’s Lachlan Hall with a one under par 71.
FINAL LEADERBOARD
Joseph Buttress (69,69=138), George Barclay (70, 74 = 144), Ollie Marsh (70, 76=146), Riley Gott (71,76=147), Lachlan Hall (77,71= 148)
GIRLS
It looked as though it was a race in five – Celine Chen (74), Kortni Houston, Mia Lawson (75), Valerie Khuu (76) and the defending champion Amanda Gan (77).
So, after 9 holes the leaderboard looked like this-;
1. Celine Chen – 3 over thru 9 and a total of 3 over
2. Kortni Houston – 5 over thru 9 and a total of 5 over
2. Valerie Khuu – 3 over thru 9 and a total of 5 over
4. Mia Lawson – 6 over thru 9 and a total of 7 over
5. Amanda Gan – 5 over thru 9 and a total of 8 over
Over the next 5 holes Celine moved further away and led by 5 shots from Mia Lawson.
Whilst Mia finished with birdies on 16 and 17 and a par on 18, her first nine of 6 over cost her any real chance. Celine Chen finished her round 2 over par and the champion by 4 shots over Mia Lawson.
FINAL LEADERBOARD
Celine Chen (74,76 =150), Mia Lawson (75,79 = 154), Kortni Houston (74,81=155), Amanda Gan (77,79= 156), Valerie Khuu (76,81 = 157)
FINAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The course was presented in excellent condition. Thanks to Brad Hebble and his team for a job well done.
To the two intrepid Tournament Directors, Cedric Bell and Marty Morris togetherwith Brady Morris the club thanks you for the amount of time, effort and passion you put into each and every Nedlands Junior Masters. 2023 was no exception.
Editors Footnote – quote from 2021 We believe that this has been your swan song – Roving Reporter’s Footnote “and if you believe that you believe in fairies!! They will be there in some role even if they have to cook sausages”
Susie Rich and her volunteers are, as always, acknowledged for their support over the 2 days. The club is indeed lucky to have members who feely give up their time to assist with Spotting, Scoring and providing a Sausage Sizzle.
Thanks to the Office Staff, Ben Unbehaun and Karen Wilson for assisting the Tournament Directors prior to and during the event.
Sean and his staff together with Zamry in the kitchen provided a professional service to our members, the players, parents and sponsors.
An enjoyable sundowner was held on Sunday evening and we thank the sponsors, the HAPPY ALMOND and CBC and supporters of the evening, for their contribution to its success.
The Proshop staff, led by Andrew Gott, are acknowledged for their efforts over the two days.
STATISTIC
The 6th and 15th holes were more difficult for the top 5 Girls than the top 3 boys.
Girls average 10.1 strokes – Runner up Mia Lawson had 3 double bogeys and one par and lost by 4 shots!!!
Boys averaged exactly 8 strokes.
The NEDLANDS JUNIOR MASTERS is over for another year, and we congratulate our two new Champions Joseph Buttress and Celine Chen who will join many illustrious names on the Honour Board.
From Greg Fitzhardinge
Nedlands Junior Masters Leaderboard 2023
