Golf Queensland Media Release
2007 Greg Norman
Junior Masters
Chang and Nha win Greg Norman Junior Masters
Eagle Chang (Oxley) has bounced back from a first round disaster to take out the 2007 Greg Norman Junior Masters by a single shot from overnight leader Daniel Nisbet (Caboolture) in an exciting conclusion this afternoon. Chang fired a final round 67 (-5) to complete the 72 holes in 287 (-1), amazingly after a first round 82 (+10) had all but ruined his chances.
Eagle Chang wins the 2007 Greg Norman Junior Masters
For Chang it was a huge accomplishment to win this week after reaching amazing heights in 2005 when he won the Australian Junior Boys Championship at the tender age of 14. He has spent the last couple of years struggling with his game, however a coach change earlier this year to Queensland Junior Coach, Mark Gibson has proved a positive move. There have been a number of positive signs in the Chang game over the last 6 months and it is great to see this well mannered young man, back on track.
Cecilia Nha (Lakelands) played solid golf all week to dominate the Girls Championship and closed out the win with a final round 71 (-2) to finish at 284 (-8) for the 72 holes. She continues to be a force in junior golf and her selection in the Golf Australia National Squad recently is testament to the young woman's ability. Nha's form of late has been outstanding, winning the Aaron Baddeley International Championship and she is also leading the Golf Australia Junior Girls rankings.
Cecilia Nha on her way to victory
Whitney Hiller (Joondalup) performed well to finish in second place, 9 shots back from Nha with a closing round 73 (Even). It was another 7 shots back to third placed Kiwi Zoe Brake (Whakatane) who returned a closing round of 72 (-1).
Taking out the 13 Years and Under Boys division was impressive youngster and future star, Jordan McCarthy (Pacific) who at just 12 years of age successfully defended the title he won last year. Amazingly McCarthy will have an opportunity to become the first player to win his age division three times in a row next year. His final round of 81 (+9) was certainly not up to his usual standards set through the week, however was good enough to hold off another talented young gun, Viirat Badhwar (Indooroopilly) by two shots.
Jordan McCarthy at just 12 years of age has won this event twice aleady
The 15 Years and Under Boys Champion was Taylor MacDonald who saved the best for last with a sensational round of 68 (-4). He tied with Cameron Smith (Wantima) who returned a 74 (+2) today but was awarded the title on a countback.
The 15 Years and Under Girls division was taken out by Hannah Kim (Gainsborough Greens) after a final round 72 (-1) to finish at 298 (+6). She won by 7 shots from Jessica Dengate (Mullumbimby) who returned a 75 (+2) today.
Impressive young golfer Young-Jin Chi, who led the overall Championship after an opening round of 69 (-4) has won the 13 Years and Under Girls division. She closed with another outstanding round of 71 (-2) to win by 8 shots from Ellie Na (Emerald Lakes).
An amazing sight this week was the presence of 7 year old Kiwi golfer, Jack Green who became the youngest player to contest the Greg Norman Junior Masters. He will be a player to watch and handled himself beautifully for a boy so young.
In conjunction with the Championship are a number of teams events which were won as follows:
International Teams Event: New Zealand (Zoe Brake and Ben Campbell)
Inter-State Teams Event: Western Australia (Kerrod Gray and Whitney Hillier)
Inter-Founation Teams Event: Greg Norman Golf Foundation (Cecilia Nha and Boys Watts)
Inter-Association Teams Event: South East Queensland (Chris Mann and Francesca Yong)
Former sporting personality turned politician, MP Chris Bombolas was present at presentation representing the Queensland Government who make a significant contribution to golf and the Greg Norman Golf Foundation each year. The ceremony also featured 1999 Junior Masters Champion, Andrew Buckle who is now playing on the US PGA Tour and shared some experiences with the attendees.
The 2007 Greg Norman Junior Masters was another outstanding event seeing players from all over the country and from France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Calendonia and New Zealand. It has been a stepping stone for a number of Australia's leading professionals and it will be great to watch the progress of this year's participants as the develop over the next few years.
For more information contact the Rae Clarke (Greg Norman Golf Founation) on 0419 021 721.
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