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.

For scores and photos – click here

Golf Queensland Media Release

2007 Greg Norman

Junior Masters

19th December 2007

Nisbet and Nha lead Greg Norman Masters into final round

In a week of quality golf at the 2007 Greg Norman Masters at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club, it will be the pre-tournament favorites Daniel Nisbet (Caboolture) and Cecilia Nha (Lakelands) that will lead into tomorrow's final round in the boys and girls Championships respectively.

Taking a sizeable 7 stroke lead into the final round will be Nha who has been selected in Golf Australia's National Squad recently and continues to impress with her quality of play. Nha returned another excellent round of 70 (-3) to be at 213 (-6) for the 54 holes. She leads Whitney Hillier (Joondalup) who managed the days best female round of 69 (-4).

Nisbet who represented Queensland this year at the age of 17, and has won the Australian Junior Order of Merit for the last 2 years, again showed his talent on the golf course after an indifferent first round 75 (+3) to return a 69 (-3) yesterday and a 71 (-1) today. He is the only boy under par at the 54 hole mark. He leads Jackson Park (Nudgee) who returned a 69 (-3) to get himself back into contention.

A notable round was recorded by 2005 Australian Junior Champion, Eagle Chang (Oxley) who carded the days best round of 67 (-5). Chang is 5 shots back from Nisbet at 220 (+4) and tied in third position with Ben Campbell (Masterston) who also played well today with a 69 (-3).

Some of the young brigage also impressed, and none more than Jordan McCarthy who returned an even par round of 72 today. He is at 222 (+6) for the 54 holes, which is a remarkable feat for a 12 year old and leads the 13 Years and under boys by 6 shots.

The final round will be held tomorrow from 7:00am with the presentations expected at approximately 2:00pm (AEDST - NSW time).

For all scores and information – click here or contact Rae Clarke (Greg Norman Golf Foundation) on 0419 021 721.

Golf Queensland Media Release

2007 Greg Norman

Junior Masters

18th December 2007

Nisbet shares lead in Greg Norman Junior Masters

Leading Australian junior golfer, Daniel Nisbet (Caboolture), fresh from an appearance in last week's MFS Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney has fired a second round 69 (-3) to share the lead in the Overall Boys division in the 2007 Greg Norman Junior Masters.

Off to a slow start with a 7 (+3), Nisbet (pictured) played well today despite a late double bogey and shares the lead with Philip An (Pacific) after An returned a second round of 72 (Even).

Leading the 15 Years and under age group in the boys division are Bradley Jeffery (Yeppoon) and last year's Champion, Jordan McCarthy retains his lead in the youngest boys division featuring players 13 years and under.

Australian Squad member Cecilia Nha (Lakelands) overtook round one leader Young-Jin Chi (Long Island) after an impressive round of 69 (-4) today. Chi returned a very respectable round of 78 (+5) for the 13 year old and remains in touch at just 4 shots back in third place. In second place is Ellie Na (Emerald Lakes) who carded a 75 (+2) today. Na is also just 13 years of age.

Another hole-in-one was recorded today with Tony Sung (Taiwan) holing out on the 137 metre par 3 10th hole. It was just part of a memorable round for the 12 year old Taiwanese golfer who went on to return a round of 72 (nett 62) and he is now in second place behind Jordan McCarthy in his age division.

Play continues tomorrow for round 3, with the final round on Thursday morning.

For all scores and information – click here or contact Rae Clarke (Greg Norman Golf Foundation) on 0419 021 721.

Golf Queensland Media Release

17th December 2007

Young guns lead the way in Greg Norman Junior Masters

This morning saw the 2007 Greg Norman Junior Masters get underway at the beautiful presented Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club and the junior stars have again impressed with some sensational scoring during the opening round.

Leading the overall girls championship is Victorian representative Young-Jin Chi (Long Island) who remarkably is just 13 years of age. Chi fired a round of 69 (-4) around the River Course which featured 5 birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 15th hole. She leads by two shots from another 13 year old, Ellie Na (Emerald Lakes) who managed an impressive 71 (-2). Amazingly it is these 13 year old girls that are setting the early pace against other girls that are 4 years older.

Leading the overall boys Championship is Bobin Kang (Arundel) and Reece Hodson (The Australian) after both players returned 69's (-3) in wet conditions. The hold a two shot lead over Evan Sinclair (Helensvale) who returned a 71 (-1).

Playing this morning, Jordan McCarthy (Pacifc - pictured left) leads the 13 Years and under boys division as he attempts to defend the title he won last year. Amazingly McCarthy won the 13 Years and under division last year at just 11 years of age and has started well with an opening 73 (+1). He leads by 4 shots from Hyunwoo Sim (Oxley) and Jake McLeod (Yeppoon) who returned 77's (+5).

Natalie Gregson (Rockhampton) had a day to remember after she holed-in-one on the 125 metre par 3, 3rd hole. She ended up returning an excellent score of 86 (nett 69).

Play will continue over the next three days with the final round to be held on Thursday morning after a 54 hole cut on Wednesday will reduce the field for the last day's play.

The Greg Norman Junior Masters has been a vital part in the development of some of Australia's leading young professionals, and features an impressive winners list that includes Adam Scott, Karrie Webb, Michael Sim and Andrew Buckle. There will no doubt be some young stars in the making amounst the 2007 field.

For all scores and information –

click here or contact Rae Clarke (Greg Norman Golf Foundation) on 0419 021 721.