Catalina Country Club was alive with energy on Sunday as 66 young golfers from across NSW, the ACT and beyond took part in the 2025 Catalina Junior Open, proudly sponsored by Clyde Auto.
With three separate events running simultaneously across the course, the day was a true celebration of junior golf, from emerging cadets to seasoned junior competitors and recent program graduates aged up to 23.
In the Cadet Division, 17 young players tackled a modified 9-hole course. Jack Newton Junior Golf member Matthew Louangkhamden produced a standout round of 35 to win the Cadet Gross event, edging out local favourite Noah Graham.
The Nett winner was Catalina member Ripley Vandyk, with fellow locals Lucas Alvey and Lachlan McRae hot on his heels.
In the girls’ section, Evie Powell claimed victory, but only after a tense playoff with Mila Jovic.
The Junior Open for players aged 12–17 attracted 44 competitors and delivered some of the most competitive golf seen at the club this year.
Catalina’s own Bill Eppelstun, the reigning Club Champion, went bogey-free to shoot a sublime 68 (-4) and secure the Boys Gross title.
Sam Cascio from The Australian Golf Club finished runner-up with a strong 71 (-1). In the Boys Nett, Ryan Wassell of Moruya Golf Club fired a 67 to take top honours, narrowly ahead of Jax Miller from Wollongong (68).
In the Girls Championship, Alicia Luo from Concord Golf Club led the way with a composed round of even-par 72, holding off Catalina’s Ladies Club Champion Brontie Eppelstun, who finished second with a 79. The Girls Nett competition saw a Canberra sweep, with Jolie McLoughlin of Gungahlin Lakes taking the title on 74, just ahead of clubmate Amity Horton (75).
Adding an extra layer to the day’s excitement was a special division for 18 to 23-year-old players, giving recent junior graduates the chance to remain involved in competitive golf. Catalina’s Sophie Eppelstun shone with a superb round of 70 to claim the Gross title, while Oscar Woolridge carded 74 gross and a Nett 72 to take out the Nett division.
