Hunter PSSA Golf Championship
On Monday 25th July the Hunter PSSA Golf Trials/ Tournament was held at Stonebridge (Cessnock Golf Club). In tough windy conditions 40 students from Hunter PSSA schools participated in the 2016 event. This year there were several events including the 18 hole qualifying tournament for the NSW PSSA Championship at Blackheath as well as a 9 hole individual stroke and a 5 hole Ambrose for students new to the game. The day ended with a fun filled Putt-Putt Match-play knockout competition. Brij Ingrey from Fern Bay Public School took the top honours in 2016 with an amazing gross score of 78 followed up by scratch runner up Jake Riley (87) from Rathmines Public School. The Nett Winner was Brock Best from Edgeworth Heights Public School (68 Nett) and the runner up was Ethan Van Zyl (70 Nett) from Singleton Public School.
The final results for the 18 hole participants are as follows:
We also had a 9-hole competition for those students who do not have a handicap. This event had some modified rules to ensure students had some enjoyment from this very frustrating game. There is a lot of potential coming through and over the coming years we hope to see these students competing in the 18 hole championships/ trials. The overall winner was Joshua Noy from Wallsend South Public School with a score of 62.
The tournament also offered a 5-hole event for students just starting out or who would like to be part of a golf clubs competition. This year it was a 3 person Ambrose.
The winner of the 5-hole Ambrose competition was Harry Leo (Wallsend South), Cohen Cambourn (Elermore Vale) and Dallas Champion (Vacy). Congratulations to the winning team who won on a countback from Kaitlin Van Zyl, (Singleton), Edie Armstrong (Singleton) and Charles Dunn. (Charlestown South). It would be great for these students to progress to the 9 or even 18 hole event next year.
After the golf course tournament the 5 hole students enjoyed the Putt Putt competition. The winner in 2016 was Abraham Comber and runner up was Harry Leo
The Match-play Putt-Putt competition created a great atmosphere to end the tournament. The final was between Brij Ingrey and Lachlan McDonald and after 10 holes of sudden death Brij Ingrey from Fern Bay Public succeeded.
Other Prizes on the day included the following:
There are many people to thank for the success of this tournament. Firstly thanks to Cessnock Golf Course with their support in ensuring the tournament ran smoothly particularly to Luke Waters in the Pro Shop who helped with some great prizes for the students. A massive thank you to Amanda Crampton who has been an amazing supporter of the Hunter PSSA Tournament over the past two years with her organision of the prizes, food and ensuring everything ran smoothly. Cessnock Golf Club is very lucky to have someone so passionate about junior golf.
A huge thankyou to Mark Ingrey (JNJG), Steven Richard (Principal Bolwarra Public School), and Colin Johnson (Principal Charlestown South Public School) for also ensuring the day was a success.
The support of sponsors this year included Cessnock City Motor Group, Sports Power Cessnock, Flannigans Mens Wear; Teachers Mutual Bank; MSP Photography; Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG); and Par Plus Golf without these sponsors and support there would be minimal or no prizes for students. We also acknowledge the wonderful support from the Hunter River District Golf Association as well as the Newcastle Golf Association who support the Hunter PSSA team as well as students of families who make the Hunter PSSA team.
Lastly, a big thank you to parents and students who assisted with transportation and supporting the 2016 Hunter DEC Primary Golf Championships. This tournament continues to find many talented golfers in the Hunter and is a great pathway for Junior Golf Development in the Hunter Region.
Drew Janetzki
2016 Hunter PSSA Golf Convenor
