Another blustery day greeted the golfers who were ready to compete for the 2017 Jamberoo Junior Open trophy. They might have been few in number but they were certainly large in enthusiasm. Several low handicap golfers were represented along with players competing in their first competition, with ages ranging from 10 to 17 and handicaps 3 to 38.
All players were terrific ambassadors for their clubs, showing excellent etiquette, good manners and great comradery towards their fellow competitors and club officials. The pure joy of playing our grand game was infectious with both the highs and lows endured on the day taken with equal good cheer.
I was engaged by the excellent swings shown by all players and the tremendous length such young people could achieve. To match this, excellent short games were evident as well. Both aspects certainly eye openers for me.
It was a difficult day, with a westerly wind blowing, firm greens and with an extraordinary amount of run on the course. This made it very difficult to control the ball but still some outstanding scores were returned.
None were better than Nowra junior Kirra Greer who scored an incredible 43 points to easily win the stableford section of the day. Kirra is a young lady, I believe only 10, with a swing many of us would envy. I expect many good results from her in the near future. Runner up Riley Boreman, from Mollymook, also possesses a good swing and I expect to see his handicap fall quickly. Jamberoo junior, Shaun McParland, also performed well in his first ever 18 hole competition. He also possesses a nice swing which will only get better as he gains experience.
In the Open section it was a stroke round. Cooper Maddinson, from Shoalhaven Heads, put his knowledge of the course, gained from previous events, along with his tremendous length off the tee, to good effect to take out the Open with a round of 76. Runner up was Jayden Granger of Mollymook with a 79. The nett section was won by Kiama junior Harrison Kiteley with a good score of nett 63. Runner up was Josh Hayes from Wollongong Golf Club with nett 69.
I would like to thank our starter, John Keeling; Life member and past President, Lance Fredericks, who not only donated the sausages and bread rolls that were voraciously consumed by the eager contestants, but also cooked them. Some parents were asking Lance for his secret recipe as they found them the “best sausage on a roll they had ever had”! Thanks also to Ray Sheehan who donated 6 balls for prizes, as did myself. In the Jamberoo Junior Open tradition all players receive a prize of some sort, whether it be a club shirt, a golf ball or a packet of tees, a tradition that was upheld today.
It was a pleasure to have these fine young players at our course and we extend our warmest thank you to them for their participation.
Dave Ransom