Upcoming JNJG Tournaments Cancelled
(1:00pm - Monday 23rd August 2021)
The Fayde Junior Matchplay, Jack Newton International, Juniors on the Move Tour Championship, Juniors on the Move Sydney Pups and Tour, Sydney Metropolitan Encourage Shield and Sydney Metropolitan Junior Pennants, set to be held throughout September and October, have all been cancelled.
"As a result of the latest lockdown extension, the uncertainty around when these restrictions will end, who will be under the restrictions, and what those restrictions will actually look like when lockdown is finished, it makes planning to run a tournament impossible", JNJG CEO Peter Van Wegen said. "Stay home, stay safe, and we'll be back running tournaments and programs soon".
Last Friday, the NSW Government and NSW Health announced an extension of the Stay at Home Order for Greater Sydney, with additional Regional NSW restrictions set to be announced this week (hopefully the lockdown doesn't extend for too much longer in areas outside of Greater Sydney).
⚠️ STAY AT HOME ORDER EXTENDED AND ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS FOR NSW ⚠️ "In response to the evolving Delta outbreak, NSW will extend the current lockdown in Greater Sydney until the end of September, and introduce new rules targeting the local government areas of concern, where the vast majority of new cases are emerging".
These restrictions include a maximum one hour of exercise per day for LGA's of concern throughout Greater Sydney (ruining golf for many), as well as permits required for essential workers to leave Sydney and travel into regional NSW.
Whilst cancelling these upcoming major tournaments is extremely disappointing, JNJG is hopeful that we’ll still be able to do something for our juniors during the upcoming school holidays. For those living in regional areas that are Covid-Free and not facing any sort of lockdown or restrictions, we will attempt to run one-day tournaments all over NSW in multiple LGAs so our juniors are still getting the opportunity to play in something without the need for travel.
We know it’s not the same as playing in the Jack Newton International, but it’s better than nothing.
In addition to the latest updates on the upcoming Major JNJG tournaments, the JNJG grassroots program called Juniors on the Move has also been cancelled. At this stage, it's only the two Sydney Programs that have been cancelled, JOM Pups and JOM Tour, with Regional Juniors on the Move Programs hopefully continuing as restrictions ease and change in Regional Areas. These Regional Programs are going to be judged on a case-by-case basis, pending the advice from the NSW Government and NSW Health as to what restrictions are in place for each of the Regional Areas where the JOM Programs are taking place.
For any questions on Juniors on the Move, contact Liz White - 0414 665 985 or jom@jnjg.com.au.
Also, over the next couple of weeks as we monitor updates and restrictions begin to ease (hopefully), JNJG will be working on the 2021 - 2022 JNJG Tour Calendar that is set to begin in November (2021) and run through to October (2022). The calendar will also include some rescheduled events that have been lost in 2021 that we will try and fit in where possible.
For any questions on JNJG Tournaments, please contact Tournament Manager Dale Hughes - 0401 996 686 or dale@jnjg.com.au.
South Coast Junior Masters - Postponed
(8:00am - Tuesday 17th August 2021)
With the entire State of NSW (+ the A.C.T) now in lockdown and so much uncertainty around when it's going to end, and what restrictions are going to look like when it does end, the South Coast Junior Masters scheduled for Catalina Country Club on August 28-29 has been postponed.
All players who registered were put into a pending registration section (just in case something like this were to happen), but those entries will be officially cancelled. Hopefully, we are able to reschedule the event for later in the year and we'll work with Catalina CC as restrictions start to end to see what we can do.
I hope you live close enough to your home golf club that you can at least get to the golf course for your exercise in this lockdown world we're living in!
See you all soon, hopefully!!
For any questions on JNJG Tournaments during this Covid-19 Lockdown, please contact Tournament Manager Dale Hughes.........dale@jnjg.com.au or 0401 996 686.
Covid-19 Update.....Kurri, South Coast, Fayde, JNJG International
(12:30pm - Thursday 5th August 2021)
Kurri Junior Open
The Kurri Junior Open, set to take place on Sunday 8th August has been cancelled. With the Newcastle / Hunter region going into a 7-day lockdown and now under the same restrictions as those in place throughout Greater Sydney, the tournament is unable to go ahead.
As per the latest NSW Health Update;
- To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions will be introduced for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock from 5pm today until 12.01am Friday 13 August.
- The rules in place for these areas are the same that are already in place across Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast.
- Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason. They also cannot have visitors in their home. This applies to all social visits from those outside your household, including family and friends.
More information will be available soon at - https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
The Kurri Junior Open will be cancelled and all refunds will be processed straight away.
South Coast Junior Masters - Catalina
Entries are currently open for the South Coast Junior Masters at Catalina. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions for all people from the Greater Sydney area, anyone who lives in or has been to the Greater Sydney Area (this includes the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour) will not be permitted to take part.
If you are from Regional NSW or the A.C.T, you can register for the tournament here - 2021 South Coast Junior Masters
With Covid-19 spreading into Regional NSW and an additional 8 Local Government Areas now under the same restrictions as Greater Sydney, everyone who registers for the tournament will sit on a waitlist and appear as pending until we get further information on the latest outbreak and what that means for the tournament.
JNJG International (Hunter Valley) and Fayde Matchplay (Southern Highlands)
Entry Opening Dates for the next round of junior tournaments, set to take place in the September / October school holidays, will be delayed. Entries for the 2021 Jack Newton International Junior Classic (Cypress Lakes), 2021 Jack Newton International Sub-Junior Classic (Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley), 2021 Jack Newton International 9-Hole Classic (Singleton) and 2021 Fayde Junior Matchplay (Mt Broughton) were set to open on Tuesday 10th August.
With Covid-19 spreading into Regional NSW and an additional 8 Local Government Areas now under the same restrictions as Greater Sydney, including the Hunter Valley where three of the tournaments were set to take place, the opening date for these entries will be delayed until there's further information on the latest outbreak and what that means for the tournament.
The new opening date for these tournaments will tentatively be set for Tuesday August 17th.
If you have any questions, please contact JNJG Tournament Manager Dale Hughes on 0401 996 686 or email dale@jnjg.com.au
Greg Chalmers Junior Masters Postponed
(8:00am - Monday 12th July 2021)
Due to the latest Covid-19 outbreak and restrictions currently enforced across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, the Greg Chalmers Junior Masters has been postponed.
The tournament was set to begin in just three weeks on Saturday 31st July, however the likelihood of restrictions extending beyond the current lockdown period mean planning for the tournament is just not possible.
A new date has been tentatively booked in at Shelly Beach Golf Club, with the tournament moving to Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October, hopefully when Greater Sydney is Covid Free!!
In other news, an announcement will be made shortly about the new format and schedule for the NSW Junior Championships and JNJG State Age Championships which were also recently cancelled due to the Covid-19 Outbreak.
Please contact Tournament Manager Dale Hughes if you have any questions or concerns.
NSW Junior Championships Cancelled
(7:30am - Monday 28th June 2021)
For the second straight year, the NSW Junior Championships at Byron Bay and Ocean Shores have been cancelled due to a Covid-19 outbreak. As per communication with players directly over the weekend, all players who registered for the tournament will be issued a full refund.
After the Greater Sydney Lockdown on Saturday evening removed almost 100 players from the tournament, updated travel advice this morning from other states and territories (and the NZ / NSW travel bubble extending it's closure) in regards to their residents travelling to all parts of NSW, not just Greater Sydney, has removed all interstate and overseas players from the tournament. Many regional NSW / A.C.T players have also withdrawn from the tournament at their own discretion, with further travel restrictions likely as Covid-19 case numbers from the latest outbreak continue to rise.
It’s extremely disappointing, but I want to make special mention of both host clubs who have been amazing in the last week and a half, exploring every avenue possible to try and assist JNJG get some form of event across the line. When the Covid numbers started to grow this time last week we knew this outcome was possible, if not probable, but we wanted to try everything we could to try and get some form of event started. It wasn't to be!
The dates for 2022 have already been locked in, with fingers crossed it is 3rd time lucky in regards to this event and the Northern Rivers. The 2022 tournament will take place in the same school holidays, from Tuesday 5th - Friday 8th July 2022 at Byron Bay and Oceans Shores once again. Those who are having trouble in getting any money back from accommodation places may have more luck in transferring the dates of your booking with a date already confirmed for 12 months time.
For those who don't have any travel restictions and are going to travel and make a holiday of it anyway, make sure you go and play a club competition at either Byron Bay or Ocean Shores whilst you're there. Both courses have been presented in fantastic condition and if you do go and play a comp at either of the two courses........it's my shout!!
I often say the only thing we have no control over at JNJG when it comes to a tournament is the weather.....I think I'm going to have to add Covid to that list :(
Sorry everyone......Until next tournament!!
Dale Hughes
Tournament and Event Manager
Covid Safety Officer
Jack Newton Junior Golf
Ballina Junior Masters Reduced to 18 Holes
(6:00pm - Sunday 27th June 2021)
The 2021 Ballina Junior Masters WILL GO AHEAD next weekend, albeit in a reduced capacity with certain restrictions.
The tournament will be run by Chris Hawkins at Ballina Golf Club and Gerard Wilkinson of the NRDGA, under normal NRDGA Order of Merit conditions.
Anyone who has been in the Greater Sydney Area since June 21 and currently part of the 14-day lockdown will not be able to play and will be refused entry. All players who live on the QLD side of the NSW / QLD border should also check QLD Health guidelines in regards to unnecessary travel to NSW.
See changes below to the tournament conditions and what you need to do next if you would still like to play.......
- The tournament will now be a one day tournament only, played on Sunday 4th July.
- It will be a 5 / 9 / 18 Hole Event like other NRDGA Junior Opens.
- All players who registered through the JNJG website or Golf Genius for the 36 Hole Event will be refunded IN FULL.
- All players will be required to re-register for the tournament with Chris Hawkins at Ballina GC directly.
To register, email Chris Hawkins chawkins@pgamember.org.au, call the Proshop on (02) 6686 0144 or Chris directly on 0432 647 844.
It's a shame that the tournament can't go ahead under normal conditions, but we hope by making these changes that local players still get to play in something and it's a better option than cancelling the entire tournament!
Dale Hughes
Tournament and Event Manager
Covid Safety Officer
Jack Newton Junior Golf
JNJG 12 Years and Under State Age Cancelled
(4:00pm - Saturday 26th June 2021)
As a result of the latest Covid-19 Restrictions (2pm - Saturday 26th June) that have been put in place for the entire Greater Sydney Region, as well as the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Illawarra, the JNJG 12 Years and Under State Age Championships, scheduled to begin at Penrith and Stonecutters Ridge on Tuesday 29th June have been cancelled.
Everyone in Greater Sydney must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason.
The reasons you may leave your home include:
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services;
- Medical care or compassionate needs (people can leave home to have a COVID-19 vaccination unless you have been identified as a close contact);
- Exercise outdoors in groups of 10 or fewer;
- Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.
In addition to these reasons above, NSW Health also made specific mention of us as JNJG or Junior Golf is considered Community Sport.
- Community sport will not be permitted during this period.
NSW Health Media Release - https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/covid-19-restrictions-extended-nsw
A further update will be made about the two regional events scheduled for the school holidays, the Ballina Junior Masters (July 4-5) and NSW Junior Championships (July 6-9) shortly.
Dale Hughes
Tournament and Event Manager
Covid Safety Officer
Jack Newton Junior Golf
JNJG Covid-19 Update
(5:00pm - Friday 25th June 2021)
The latest NSW Covid-19 Update has forced some minor changes to the JNJG 12 Years and Under State Age Championships, set to begin on Tuesday at Penrith Golf Club and Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club.
With only a handful of players and no staff affected by the stay-at-home orders for four Inner-City LGAs, the tournament will go ahead as normal for all those who meet the NSW Health Guidelines and are able to travel to Western Sydney. Play will begin at 7:30am on Tuesday morning, with Penrith Golf Club hosting the opening round.
The draw will be released on Monday and all registered players should check their emails for further information in regards to the Covid Safe Guidelines and Practices JNJG will be implementing throughout the week.
JNJG also wanted to provide an update in regards to the NSW Junior Championships, set to begin on Tuesday July 6th at Byron Bay and Ocean Shores.
Today's increasing and extending of restrictions to certain parts of Sydney was not great news, however it is important to note that this only impacts a very small percentage of players involved in the tournament. 201 of the 218 players registered for the tournament (or 93%) do not live in one of the 7 Local Government Areas that currently have travel restrictions in place and could take part in the tournament, even if it were to begin tomorrow.
After speaking with all relevant stakeholders at both host clubs today, as well as Tournament Sponsor Ping, the clubs and sponsors are still fully supportive of the event going ahead. JNJG will closely monitor all updates, restrictions and directives from NSW Health and the NSW Government over the next 48-72 hours before making any decision.
Please note that discussions have already begun with both host clubs for an event to take place at Byron Bay and Ocean Shores starting on July 6 regardless of the restrictions imposed on Greater Sydney, with JNJG being down this road once before.......Earlier this year, the Golf Australia National Order of Merit event, the A.C.T Week of Golf, was played with just 42 starters after the Northern Beaches Covid outbreak in Sydney caused the A.C.T border to close to Greater Sydney.
As a result, the tournament was reduced from 150+ players to just 42, with locals, interstate visitors and regional NSW juniors still taking part in the tournament. It wasn't ideal, just like the current restrictions are not ideal, but any further increased restrictions may not necessarily mean the entire event has to be scrapped.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, feel free to contact JNJG Tournament Manager and Covid Safety Officer Dale Hughes at any stage this weekend, on 0401 996 686 or dale@jnjg.com.au
Stay safe this weekend and let's keep our fingers crossed that those Covid-19 numbers stay under control.
JNJG Covid-19 Update
(9:00am - Friday 25th June 2021)
Jack Newton Junior Golf has postponed the Development Squad Camp, set to be held at Riverside Oaks this weekend. The squad will still meet this weekend in a reduced capacity, via an online zoom meeting on Saturday. Development Squad Camp 1 has already been rescheduled, with the new dates being Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th August.
See the following statement by JNJG Player Development Manager, Heath Canning.
"Although it is possible to hold the camp within the guidelines and restrictions that were announced earlier in the week, it is imperative that we make socially responsible decisions around whether this weekend’s camp is absolutely necessary in the current environment. Our priorities lie, firmly, with the safety of all our athletes, as well as to our staff and the staff of the host venue. I can assure you that this decision was not taken lightly.
As well as keeping safety in mind, I also recognise that regional athletes traveling into an area deemed as “Greater Sydney” could have implications on their travel plans to tournaments in the weeks immediately after. Should all of Greater Sydney be banned from traveling regionally next week, an athletes attendance may rule them out of being able to participate in the NSW Junior Championships in Byron Bay, for example."
In other news, JNJG Juniors on the Move programs, set to be held in regional NSW this Sunday will go ahead as normal, albeit under JNJG Covid-Safe Rules and Guidelines. Tournaments in the Hunter River (Scone), Illawarra (The Grange), Murray River (Howlong) and the Mid North Coast (Coffs Harbour) will take place with almost 100 junior golfers playing across the state.
There's no change to the status of the JNJG 12 Years & Under State Age Championships (Penrith & Stonecutters Ridge), Ballina Junior Masters (Ballina) and NSW Junior Championships (Byron Bay and Ocean Shores) as we await further directions from the NSW Government and NSW Health.
JNJG Covid-19 Update
(1:00pm - Wednesday 23rd June 2021)
Following on from the 11:00am press conference which outlined New Covid-19 restrictions for parts of Sydney, JNJG wanted to quickly put to bed any rumours about upcoming events throughout the school holidays.
None of the latest restrictions (which are set to end at 4pm on Wednesday 30th June) have any impact on upcoming tournaments or coaching sessions scheduled throughout the school holidays.
The following events being run by JNJG are still on (as of 1:00pm, Wednesday 23rd June) and people should still plan for these events to take place, until you hear from us otherwise.
- JNJG Development Squad Camp - Riverside Oaks (June 26 & 27)
- JNJG 12 Years and Under State Age Championships - Penrith and Stonecutters Ridge (June 29 - July 2)
- Ballina Junior Masters - Ballina (July 4 & 5)
- NSW Junior Championships - Byron Bay and Ocean Shores (July 6 - July 9)
However, the Juniors on the Move Tour Championship day, set for Georges River on Monday June 28 has been cancelled.
This event has not been canclled due to the latest restrictions (as mentioned above – all JNJG events can currently still go ahead based on the latest restrictions), however, the format of the event and the number of kids and parents set to be at the venue at the one time means that JNJG cannot guarantee that appropriate social distancing measures can be met. As a result, the event has been cancelled.
For any questions about the latest restrictions or upcoming tournaments, please contact JNJG Tournament Manager and Covid Safety Officer Dale Hughes - dale@jnjg.com.au or 0401 996 686.
Please remember - this information can and will change quickly, and we are only acting on the advice from NSW Health and the NSW Government.
NSW Health Media Release (sent out at 11am 23/06/2021)
NEW COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FOR GREATER SYDNEY
To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions will be introduced for Greater Sydney from 4pm today for one week.
Following updated health advice from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant about the growing risk to the community, the following restrictions will be introduced for Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour;
- Visitors to households will be limited to 5 guests – including children;
- Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events;
- Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed;
- Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed;
- Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the wedding party only (no more than 20 people);
- Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn);
- The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals;
- Outdoor seated events will be limited to 50% seated capacity;
- Previous public transport capacity limits, represented by green dots, will be reintroduced;
- If you live or work in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra local government areas, you cannot travel outside metropolitan Sydney for non-essential travel.
These restrictions are designed to reduce the risk of further community transmission.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updated information and advice.
For more information, read the media release: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-covid-19-restrictions-for-greater-sydney-23-june-2021
