Some of the country’s most exciting young golf talents will descend on the NSW South Coast next week, with Club Catalina and Moruya Golf Club set to host the 2025 NSW Junior Championship for the first time in nearly 20 years.
The championship, held from July 15 to 18, is one of the marquee events on the Australian junior golf calendar and is expected to draw more than 200 competitors from across the country.
Open to boys and girls aged 12 to 17 with a Golf Australia handicap, the four-day, 72-hole stroke play event will be played across both venues, with all competitors completing four rounds after the removal of the traditional cut.
Jack Newton Junior Golf General Manager Dale Hughes said the return to Eurobodalla was long overdue.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing the NSW Junior Championship back to Club Catalina and Moruya in 2025,” Hughes said.
“This region has a proud history of hosting quality tournaments, and we know the golf courses, the community support, and the local hospitality will create an incredible experience for the players and their families.”
The championship has launched the careers of some of Australia’s most successful professional golfers, with past winners including Peter O’Malley, Matt Jones, Jan Stephenson, Sarah Kemp, Lucas Herbert, and David Micheluzzi.
Among this year’s standout entrants is Camilla Kim, a NSW Junior State Team member and one of the form players of the season. The 2024 Sub Junior Girl of the Year has racked up wins at the Macarthur Junior Masters, NSW All Schools Championship, and Fore Golf Junior Matchplay, as well as runner-up finishes at the Australian Junior and North Coast Junior Masters.
She’ll be joined by Kiara Connolly-Jackson, another NSW Junior team representative and the 2024 Master of the Masters Champion, along with Lara Thomsen, a fellow NSW Junior State Team member, and her sister Mimi Thomsen, winner of the 2024 Illawarra Junior Masters. Queenslander Amy Jo also looms as a strong contender, entering the event with the lowest handicap in the field after top-five finishes at both the NSW Amateur and Australian Junior.
Other players to watch in the girls’ field include Sophie Mann, a Victorian Junior and Senior State Team member and winner of the Victorian Junior Open, and Ionna Muir, a dual Queensland representative.
The boys’ field is equally strong. NSW State Team member Cooper Giddings headlines the entries after winning the 2024 NSW Country Championship and finishing second at both the Australian Junior and ACT Junior. Bo Chung, winner of the Bonville Champions Trophy, Illawarra Junior Masters, and Macarthur Junior Masters, will also be a serious contender.
Sam Cascio, who won the 2024 Australian Junior Amateur, Ian Kim, the reigning NSW All Schools and Illawarra Junior Masters champion, and Ti Fox, an ACT Junior winner and NSW Amateur semi-finalist, round out a stacked field of state and national representatives.
One to watch from the local region is Bill Eppelstun, the reigning South Coast Junior Masters champion. He’ll be joined by a host of other top-performing juniors from across the state, including Shaylan Bennett (Blue Mountains Junior Masters) and Harry Preece (Peter O’Malley Junior Masters), who are also aiming to make their mark in the strong boys’ field.
Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said the region was proud to host the prestigious event.
“We’re incredibly proud that Eurobodalla has been chosen to host the 2025 NSW Junior Golf Championships,” Mayor Hatcher said.
“We can’t wait to welcome the state’s most talented young golf athletes, their families and supporters to our towns.”
He also encouraged visitors to make the most of what the South Coast has to offer.
“While you’re here, don’t miss our brand new mountain bike trails at Mogo and Narooma, and bring your board and steamer too because the winter waves will be pumping,” he said.
“Explore our villages for great food, breweries, art, and shopping. You’ll love this beautiful part of the world.”
