Young golfers shine in Maleny championship

Two holes-in-one and a pair of tightly fought finishes highlighted a major junior golf tournament at Maleny Golf Club on August 3 and 4.

A strong field of 70 players contested 54 holes in round five of the South East Queensland Junior Championship Tour, a World Amateur Golf Ranking and Queensland State Order of Merit event.

The tournament was organised by Glasshouse Mountains Junior Golf Association volunteer president and tournament co-ordinator Gary Ellis.

Players travelled from across Queensland, including Gladstone, Burleigh, Toowoomba, Tin Can Bay, Brisbane, Kingaroy, Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast, while two competitors made the trip from Victoria.

The girls’ championship went to a playoff after Catherine Sun led for much of the tournament before late charges from Emily Wei and Anna Chen left both players tied at eight over par.

Returning to Maleny’s difficult 18th hole, Chen prevailed in the playoff to claim the title.

The boys’ championship also delivered a dramatic finish, with Cooper Field holding off a challenge from Victorian Archie Alston.

Field took a two-shot lead to the 17th before producing the shot of the tournament – a hole-in-one that extended his advantage to four.

Alston made par on the final hole to keep the pressure on, but Field’s double bogey was enough to secure a two-shot victory.

Charlie Stratford also recorded a hole-in-one on the first hole during the second round. Together with Ruby Fisher’s ace at Gailes earlier this year, the tour has now produced three holes-in-one this season.

Mr Ellis thanked Maleny Golf Club, its staff and greenkeepers for their hospitality and preparation of the course and new clubhouse. He also thanked Grant Field for arranging the pin locations, along with the players, parents and supporters who attended.

The tour’s next event will be held at Beerwah on October 2, 4 and 5, with more than 100 junior golfers expected to compete.

For more information, contact Gary Ellis on 0425 841 411.

Cooper Field scored a hole in one on the 17th.

Winners Cooper Field and Anna Chen.

Charlie Stratford scored a hole in one on the first hole at Maleny.