Last weekend saw the fourth leg in the 2015 Jack Newton Junior Golf Junior Masters Series, the Western Sydney Junior Masters take place at the beautiful but challenging Lynwood Country Club. The event is in its second year and it is the second time it has been held at Lynwood Country Club after replacing the Wollongong Junior Masters when Wollongong was awarded the hosting duties of the NSW State Junior and Subaru State Age Championships for 2014 and 2015. This year saw over 150 Juniors participate across the two day 36 hole event. The IAS was strongly represented with 7 Athletes competing in the event with Dani Vasquez and Tom Heaton leading the way. Dani played two very consistence rounds of 71 (+1) to narrowly finish second to Celina Yuan, who last week won the Australian Girls Amateur Champion in Adelaide. Yuan came from behind with a two under par 68 on day two to record a four shot victory over big improver Danni Vasquez. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Yuan, and after back to back bogies on the 14th and 15th the margin was back to one shot! But showing all the qualities that made her the Australian Girls Amateur Champion, Yuan responded when under pressure with two birdies to close out the win. Vasquez ended up claiming 1st in the 14 and 15 Years Girls Division by three shots from Grace Kim and overnight leader Bella Kil. Tom Heaton led the way for the IAS Boys with rounds of 70 and 73 to finish the tournament +3 in a tie for 10th overall. In his 13 Years and Under Division, it appeared to be over with overnight leader Aidan Powter in complete control halfway through the back nine. However Tom wouldn’t go away, and when Powter stumbled in the closing stages, Heaton pounced. A miraculous birdie on the 17th hole was followed up by a 40 foot birdie putt on the final green (9th hole for them after a back nine start) to force a playoff. The two went down the 10th, and unfortunately a par was enough for Powter to claim the title. Other IAS Athletes that competed were: Boys Jackson Hall – Finished Tied for 15 overall with rounds of 75 & 69 to finish +4. In his age Division 14 & 15 Years he finished 6th in the stroke and 2nd in the Nett Competitions. Jake Reay – Finished Tied for 69 overall with rounds of 83 and 79 to finish +22. In his age Division 16 Years and over he finished Tied for 31st in the stroke and Tied for 24th in the Nett Competitions. Girls Sarah Johnson – Finished Tied for 16 overall with rounds of 79 and 76 to finish +15. In her age Division 14 and 15 Years she finished 9th in the stroke and 1st in the Nett Competitions. Kelsey Bennett – Finished 22nd overall with rounds of 80 and 83 to finish +23. In her age Division 14 and 15 Years she finished 11th in the stroke and 4th in the Nett Competitions. Cassidy Graham – Finished Tied for 28th overall with rounds of 91 and 83 to finish +34. In her age Division 14 and 15 Years she finished 14th in the stroke and Tied for 13th in the Nett Competitions. A huge congratulations to all the IAS Athletes that competed and it great to see that all their hard work and training is paying off with such great results.
