TWO NEW CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED

L to R: Luke Tucker (Retravision), Aldrich Potgeiter, Sheridan Clancy, Carl Evans (Srixon)

The 40th NEDLANDS JUNIOR MASTERS was played on Sunday February 28 and Monday March 1, attracting a talented field of 47 boys and 23 girls from around the state.

The history of the Nedlands Junior Masters has been well documented and now there is an Honour Board in the downstairs bar for all to see. For that we acknowledge the support of Ian MacDonald, a long time sponsor of the Junior Masters.

Before moving on to the winners it would be appropriate to acknowledge the Junior Masters sponsors -;

  • SRIXON and RETRAVISION CANNINGTON were the Major Sponsors this year and we sincerely thank them for their support.
  • Joining the Major Sponsors were our supporting Sponsors, including APC GROUP, PERTH STITCHINGS, GOLF BOX, COCA COLA AMATIL, BAKERS DELIGHT CAPTAIN STIRLING, WEIR’S BUTCHER BROADWAY. We thank them for their contribution.

FIRST ROUND SUMMARY

Forty Seven Boys and Twenty Three Girls set out on Sunday morning in their quest for their first Nedlands Junior Masters title. No less than thirteen of those held handicaps of Scratch or better, so some hot scoring was in store – on a warm and humid day.

Some of the Highlights of Round One were-;

BOYS

  • Our own Riley Gott was one under after thirteen holes but he faltered with bogeys on the next three holes finishing with a one over round of 73.
  • Aldrich Potgieter (Joondalup) with a handicap of +3, played fine golf and his 5 Birdies and 1 Bogey saw him post a first round total of 68.
  • Alex Maxwell (Royal Fremantle), also holding a +3 handicap, started disastrously bogeying his first four holes. To his credit he fought back with 4 Birdies on his back nine to finish with an even par 72
  • A triple bogey on Braedon Law’s second hole was not the start the Royal Fremantle member wanted, but he also fought back joining Riley Gott on 73.
  • Josiah Gilbert (Gosnells) also had an up and down round finishing with 73.

After the completion of the first round Aldrich Potgieter led the Boys’ field by 4 shots from Alex Maxwell with Riley Gott, Braedon Law and Josiah Gilbert a shot further adrift.

GIRLS

  • Sheridan Clancy (Lake Karrinyup) playing off +2, did not commence with a good front nine of 39 (including a double bogey on her second hole). A string of 3 Birdies on her back nine saw her finally finish with an even par round 74
  • Isabella Leniartek (Mt Lawley) had the worst imaginable start in her quest for victory. Isabella bogeyed her first 6 holes. 5 birdies followed but they were accompanied by a further 2 bogeys and a score of 78, (4 over par) was posted.
  • Joondalup members, Pantita Phobubpa and Celine Chen, also finished with 78’s.

Following the completion of the first round Sheridan Clancy led the Girls’ field by 4 shots from Pantita Phobubpa and Celine Chen with Valerie Khuu(Mt Lawley) a shot further back.

FINAL ROUND SUMMARY

“What a difference a day makes” After fine and warm conditions on Sunday, on Monday players, officials and ground staff awoke to be greeted by electrical storms and consistent rain with little or no wind.

A quick meeting to decide the future of the day and it was decided to play as scheduled. The electrical storms passed quickly but steady rain still fell. Fortuitously the rain did not flood the greens but there was casual water right through the rough and in front of greens 5,6 and 9.

The question now was who was going to catch the overnight leaders with both Aldrich Potgieter and Sheridan Clancy holding 4 stroke advantages.

BOYS

  • The answer became apparent after 9 holes, with no one really making a move on the leader, Aldrich Potgieter.
  • Aldrich played steadily with a one under front nine which was matched by Josiah Gilbert. Alex Maxwell finished even for the nine, Riley Gott, one over and Braedon Law 2 over.
  • With dark clouds and rumblings to the north east, and the radar showing electrical storms and heavy rain approaching, all players still on the course at 4.30 were warned of the imminent danger. All groups had finished, apart from the last group of Boys. Aldrich Potgieter, Alex Maxwell and Riley Gott were walking to their drives on the 18th when play was suspended due to a dangerous situation at 4.40.
  • Attempts were made to restart but lightning strikes too close for comfort made that impossible.
  • Finally, at 5.15 play recommenced and the 2021 Nedlands Master was concluded.
  • Amongst all that drama Aldrich Potgieter holed a 30 foot downhill putt on the final hole for birdie finishing with a fine two under par 70 and a total of 142.
  • Riley Gott, after his second shot went through the back next to a parked car, took the appropriate relief and made an excellent up and down to finish with a 3 over par 75 and total of 148
  • Alex Maxwell finished with a bogey for 75 – a total of 147.
  • Two outstanding rounds saw Aldrich Potgieter crowned the Boys Champion for 2021.
  • Coming from 7 shots behind after round one Royal Fremantle’s Joe Teasdale’s second round of 68, with a back nine of 32, was good enough to see him finish runner up finishing with a total of 143.
  • Logan Vidovich (Mandurah) was just out of the running after round one but his two consistent scores saw him finish in equal third place overall with a total of 147
  • Joining him in equal third place were Alex Maxwell, and Josiah Gilbert.
  • Riley Gott was a further shot back in 6th position and winner of the Boys 14–15 category.

GIRLS

  • The Girls avoided the late weather and were well and truly finished before the electrical storms struck.
  • Overnight Leader Sheridan Clancy, playing alongside Isabella Leniartek and Celine Chen, increased her lead over the first nine holes and was never threatened.
  • Mai Julius (Mandurah) with an Eagle on the par 5 4th, accompanied by 5 Birdies finished her second round with a fine 3 under par 71 – the round of the event for the girls.
  • Two excellent rounds of 74 and 72 saw Sheridan Clancy crowned the Girls Champion for 2021.
  • Courtesy of her fine second round 71, Mai Julius was the Runner Up, 7 shots behind.
  • In terms of scores in relation to Par the Boys Champion, Aldrich Potgieter was 6 under par, the Girls Champion, Sheridan Clancy 2 under par and the Boys runner up, Joe Teasdale 1 under par.

FINAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  • The Course Staff did an excellent job in their preparation of the course and with the greens running at around 12 feet the course provided a good test for all players.
  • Appreciation is also extended to all the club staff (Office, House and Pro Shop) for their efforts over the two days.
  • Club Members are always willing to assist the club for many projects and occasions. The Junior Masters is one of them and we thank all of those volunteers who assisted in spotting, (especially on Monday in the rather inclement conditions), scores, and the Sausage Sizzle.
  • In particular we thank Gordon and Susie Rich for coordinating the spotters. They do an outstanding job every year.

To the two intrepid Tournament Directors, Cedric Bell and Marty Morris, the club thanks you for the amount of time, effort and passion you put into each and every Nedlands Junior Masters. 2021 was no exception.

We believe that this has been your swan song – Roving Reporter’s Footnote “and if you believe that you believe in fairies!! They will be there in some role even if they have to cook sausages”

That aside the club acknowledges the contribution they have made over many years to not only the Junior Masters but to Junior golf at Nedlands. Happy retirement.

Marty’s son Brady, who also worked tirelessly over the weekend, will take over the role as Tournament Director and he certainly has some big shoes to fill.

The NEDLANDS JUNIOR MASTERS is over for another year and we congratulate our two Champions Aldrich Potgieter and Sheridan Clancy who will join many illustrious names on the Honour Board.

40th Nedlands Junior Masters 2021 Prizelist

From Greg Fitzhardinge