A full field of 120 juniors will make the trip out west for the Peter O’Malley Junior Masters at Bathurst Golf Club. The tournament, one of the highlights on the JNJG calendar, attracts some of the state’s most talented young golfers, all eager to test their skills on the challenging Bathurst layout.
Local talent Cooper Starkey will compete in his final JNJG event this weekend, bringing to a close a junior career spanning more than ten years. Remarkably, Starkey played his first Peter O’Malley Junior Masters at just seven years old, and now returns a decade later hoping to secure his maiden Junior Masters title in his farewell appearance. One of JNJG’s most consistent performers over the years, Starkey will be looking to use his local knowledge to his advantage as he aims to sign off from the junior ranks on a high.
Another hometown favourite is Bathurst Golf Club’s current Club Champion, Rory Elphick, who enters the event as the lowest marker in the field. Elphick fired a four round total of four-under-par to claim top honours, highlighted by a brilliant third round 65, and will be eager to replicate that form this weekend.
Defending champion Harrison Preece (Pymble) also returns, with the come from behind winner looking to once again master the challenging Bathurst Golf Course. Preece went low in the final to prove that he is a top contender and will hope to produce something similar to defend his title.
Fresh off his maiden Junior Masters victory, Cooper Giddings (Dubbo) will be one to watch. The NSW Junior State Team representative claimed honours at last week’s Blue Mountains Junior Masters, sealing the win with a birdie on the first playoff hole after posting a tournament low score of eight under par.
Other notable contenders include 2026 Murray River Junior Masters winner Joshua Park (Ryde Parramatta) and 2025 Blue Mountains Junior Masters champion Shaylan Bennett (Avondale), both of whom will be aiming to add another Junior Masters title to their resumes.
In the girls’ division, last week’s winner Jia You heads into the tournament as one of the favourites. The in form Ryde Parramatta junior secured her maiden Junior Masters title with an impressive six shot victory, finishing at five under par. She will be looking to go back to back this weekend.
Hot on her heels is NSW Junior State Team member Kiara Connolly-Jackson (Avondale), who already boasts multiple Junior Masters titles, including victories at the North Coast, Illawarra and Greg Chalmers Junior Masters. She will be aiming to add the Peter O’Malley crown to her growing trophy cabinet.
Fellow NSW Junior State Team member Jordyn Deen (Concord) will be chasing her first Junior Masters win after finishing runner up at last month’s Wagga Wagga Junior Masters. Deen also impressed earlier this year, finishing tied for first at the NSW Amateur, and will be hoping to carry that momentum into this weekend.
Stonecutters Ridge’s Savannah Webb is another player in strong form. Webb claimed the Brett Ogle Junior Masters late last year and followed it up with a solid performance at the Bonville Champions Trophy. She will be looking to add a second Junior Masters title to her resume.
Also in contention is Concord’s Ariel Cha, who has been knocking on the door with a series of strong finishes. Cha placed second overall at both the Wagga Wagga and Blue Mountains Junior Masters and will be determined to go one better in Bathurst.
Play begins on Saturday at 12:30pm.
