It might have been the Jye Pickin show at last year’s NSW Junior Championship, but this time around it could be a Hye Park victory parade..
The Championships got underway today with Belmont and Charlestown Golf Clubs hosting.
While Pickin proved to be a popular home town winner in 2018, he isn’t be back to defend. The recently turned 18-year-old has now exited the junior ranks, leaving the boys title up for grabs.
it won’t be a problem for the defending champion, for Park in the girl’s section. At just 16 years old, she is looking to become the first girl since Justine Lee a decade ago to claim back to back titles.
It’s been a breathtaking year for The Gold Coast based Korean.
After closing with a 65 to take the NSW Girls title in 2018, she also added the Australian Girls crown to her growing resume with a commanding victory in April.
And to underline her talent, she was never headed at last week’s Queensland Junior, winning by three shots.
LOCAL CHANCES ABOUND
Over 250 of the nation’s finest juniors will compete for the twin titles this year, and there are plenty of local chances looking to keep the trophy in the Newcastle-Hunter area.
In-form Corey Lamb looks like the one to beat.
Lamb was superb at the Queensland Junior Championships last week, and heads a strong Hunter River District side.
Newcastle representatives Harry Cleare , Josh Robards , Brij Ingrey and Hamish Ellison are expected to be right in the mix.
The NSW Junior Championships are one of the highest ranking junior events in the country.
Almost 70 Interstate and Overseas competitors, by far the biggest number in NSW Junior Championship history, will descend on the Lake Macquarie region.
Importantly for the overall boys’ and girl’s Champion, an exemption into the Men’s and Women’s NSW Opens, which will form part of the Australian Summer of Golf this November and March comes with the title.
NSW & ACT players will also compete for the Jack Newton Junior Golf State Age Titles, the NSW Club Junior Champion of Champions, the NSW Country Junior Championships and the Inter-District Teams Championships.
The 72-hole Championship begins on Tuesday, with the official practice day and tournament registration on Monday afternoon at Belmont.
