Neangar Park hosts state team qualifiers

THE bright future of Victorian golf was on show as Neangar Park Golf Club hosted the School Sports Victoria (SSV) Under-12 Qualifier this month.

Held over two days on 15 and 16 June, the event attracted 55 junior golfers from across Victoria, competing over 36 holes for the opportunity to qualify for the Victorian state team to play in the School Sport Australia (SSA) 12-Years and Under Golf Championships in August.

The tournament was hailed as a resounding success, with the fairways and greens not only a hive of activity over the two days of competition, but in the three days preceding the tournament.

“One of the young boys played five days leading up to the event, and then on the Sunday (the day before the first day of the tournament), there was at least 20 of them who had a practice round,” Neangar Park Golf Club membership/marketing coordinator Renae Boucher.

“It was fantastic to see such a strong field of talented young golfers visit Bendigo, with many players and their families travelling from all corners of the state.

“A number of competitors arrived over the weekend to play practice rounds and prepare for the event, bringing visitors to the region and showcasing Bendigo as a destination capable of hosting high-quality junior sporting events.

“The event provided a wonderful opportunity for these young athletes to compete at a high level, while also highlighting the growing strength of junior golf throughout Victoria.”

A field of 39 players contested the boys event, with Ben Boers, off his handicap of three, coming out on top after finishing one shot over par on day one and six over on day two.

Jasper Xu, also off three, finished as the runner-up at 12 over.

Lillian Bu, off a handicap of three, topped the 16-player girls field on 13 over (six over on day one, seven over on day two), ahead of Alicia Wang (handicap of 10) at 22 over.

This was the second year in a row the Eaglehawk-based club has hosted the state under-12 qualifiers.

Boucher said the positive feedback from parents, players and SSV organisers was equal to last year.

The SSA 12-Years and Under Golf Championships will be hosted in Newcastle.

While there were no locals in the field, unlike last year, Neangar Park Golf Club is excited to have four of its junior academy players qualified for the Junior Victorian Amateur Championships.

They are Frankie Niall, Archie Alston, Ryder Comer and Thomas Boucher.

The tournament hits off at the Tocumwal Golf Club and the Cobram Barooga Golf Club this Tuesday and runs to Friday.