Smith, Ona win Norman Junior Masters

BY iseekgolf.com | Junior Golf Tour | 2008 Greg Norman Junior Masters | Round Four | 18 Dec 2008

15-year-old Cameron Smith (Wantima) and 17-year-old Ashley Ona (Concord) have won the Boys and Girls Championships respectively in the 2008 Greg Norman Junior Masters held at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club.

Smith won on the second playoff hole after finishing tied with Western Australian Jamie Warman (Gosnells), while Ona overtook Emma Ash to win the Girls by four shots.

It was an exciting climax to the week with Smith making up six shots on Warman, firing a two-under par 70. Out in four-under par 32, Smith made a couple of bogeys on the way home and Warman eventually need to birdied his final hole to force the playoff.

The playoff attracted a number of spectators and both players managed pars on the 1st hole (1st hole on the River Course).

The second hole (9th River) saw Warman find a fairway trap with his drive, while Smith’s 5-wood found the centre of the fairway. Warman’s second went left of the green and his pitch gave him a 3 metre par putt. Smith managed to hit the green and when Warman missed his par putt, Smith had just a tap in for victory and his biggest win to date.

The Girls Championship saw Ona start the day three back from Ash, and after nine holes the deficit remained three. Sadly for Ash, her back nine included 5 bogeys and a double bogey on her last hole (9th).

Ona played great golf coming home, carding an eagle on her 15th hole (6th), and just the one bogey to finish with 35 (-1) and a round of one-under par 72. She finished the 72 holes on a total of one-under par 291.

The age divisions were won by:

• Boys – 17 Years and Under – Taylor MacDonald (Redcliffe) – 286 (-2)
• Girls – 17 Years and Under – Jasmine Finlay (Windaroo Lakes) – 301 (+9)
• Boys – 15 Years and Under – Simon Viitakangas (Surfers Paradise) – 291 (+3)
• Girls – 15 Years and Under – Ellie Na (Royal Pines) – 299 (+7)
• Boys – 13 Years and Under – Jordan McCarthy (Pacific) – 299 (+11)
• Girls – 13 Years and Under – Annie Choi (Gainsborough Greens) – 300 (+8)

In conjunction with the Championship are teams events which were won by:

• International – New Zealand
• Inter-State – South Australia
• Inter-Association – Tie – South East Queensland and Sunshine Coast
• Inter-Foundation – Graham Marsh Junior Golf Foundation

Jordan McCarthy became the first player to win his age division three times after winning his first Championship 2 years ago at the tender age of 11. Another thirteen year old, Annie Choi played outstanding golf this week, and although finished with an 80 today, was well in contention for the overall Championship at the 54 hole mark.

Smith and Ona will have their names added to the respective trophies which include names such as Adam Scott (1997), Karrie Webb (1991 & 1992) and Steven Bowditch (2000).

The Greg Norman Golf Foundation continues to be a vital part of the development of junior golfers in Queensland and the 2008 Junior Masters again has seen the results of some great work over the last 20 years since the Foundation’s creation.

Players will now enjoy Christmas, but will also be preparing for the Queensland Boys’ and Girls’ Championships held at Indooroopilly and Gailes Golf Clubs from 5 – 8 January.

Source – Golf Queensland