VICTORIAN Caleb Perry started the Tamar Valley Junior Cup’s final day on Tuesday with a comfortable five-stroke lead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, it was not to be for the Warrnambool teenager who was swept up by victorious Queenslander Mitch Varley, 16, at Greens Beach Golf Club.
Perry, 17, struggled off the tee in calm conditions – hitting 80 over the final 18 holes – while Perry’s short game prowess shone through with a brilliant 73 to follow on from 80, 72 and 76 in the previous three rounds.
The champion finished with a 301 to record a two-shot win over Perry and New South Welshman Harrison Crowe.
Victorian Caleb Bovanlina, who started the final round in second place, missed several putts to finish with a 77 and fourth overall.
The top-placed Tasmanian was Tim Smith (eighth), followed by Prospect Vale’s James Fiddian and Ryan Thomas back with 314 strokes each.
In the women’s competition, it was Tasmania’s Zahara Lemon that prevailed.
Casey Cook (NSW) and Lemon, both 17, started as joint leaders with Sarah Wilson Jnr a further four shots back.
Lemon had problems chipping on the fifth hole (Par 4) to card an eight, which placed both Wilson and Jones in the lead.
However, steady par golf from Lemon on the back nine for a 75 helped the Tasmania Golf Club star win by one shot with 300 overall.
Second were Cook and Wilson Jnr, who was denied a play-off when her chip onto the last lipped the hole.
Tournament director Graham Moloney said the event was a great success.
“The Greens Beach Golf Club came out on top as I think everyone was impressed with the event,” he said.
“There was some great golf played and credit to the winners.”
Golfers will now head to Riverside Golf Club for the Tasmanian Junior Masters on Thursday and Friday.
TOP FINISHERS
BOYS
- Mitch Varley (VIC) 301
- Harrison Crowe (NSW) 303
- Caleb Perry (VIC) 303
- Caleb Bovalina (VIC) 305
- Jack Buchanan (SA) 306
GIRLS
- Zahara Lemon (TAS) 300
- Casey Cook (NSW) 301
- Sarah Wilson Jnr (QLD) 301
- Danika Coyne Jnr (OLD) 315
- Hallie Meaburn (TAS) 318