THE rise of junior talent at Bathurst Golf Club has never been more evident than their progression through to the State Encourage Shield semi-finals.
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Bathurst’s team accounted for Toukley Golf Club at Richmond on Sunday in a dramatic round of action in the junior handicap matchplay tournament.
Mitch Lamb, Jake Davis, Ben Davis, Cam Jackson, Cooper Starkey and Casey Thompson will now prepare for their next match in Newcastle on January 15, against a still undecided opponent.
The Bathurst crew booked the trip by the narrowest of margins.
The scores were all even – three wins for both clubs – at the end of the day, forcing a three hole playoff between the team’s number one players.
Ben Davis held his nerve to win on the third hole.
“It’s a really exciting result and it’s going to be great seeing them going to Newcastle next year. Ben handled the pressure really well at the end,” Bathurst Golf Club assistant professional Tom Perfect said.
“We've been involved in this tournament for about five or so years now but this is the furthest we’ve made it.
“It will be really good for our younger kids at the club to see this team make it through to the semi-final stage, especially because this team ranges from kids aged 14 to under 10.
“Cooper, our youngest player, won his game 6 and 5 which was really great to see.”
Bathurst’s other winners on Sunday were Lamb (3 and 2) and Thompson (2 and 1).
While Ben Davis would get his revenge in the playoff holes he initially lost his matchup 2 and 1.
Jackson had a tough day, going down 6 and 4, while Jake Davis lost in the closest match of the day – a 1up win for his opponent.
Bathurst Golf Club professional Matt Barrett said the tournament has been a great introduction for younger players into a different realm of competitive golf.
“It functions a bit like a second-tier tournament, with no players who have a handicap under seven allowed to participate,” he said.
“It gives players with a higher handicap an opportunity to play in a big event. It’s a great way for them to dip their toes into a new form of competition.”
Barrett said the Bathurst team has been shown plenty of support by both friends and family.
“You don’t get many opportunities to play team events in golf so it’s a big moment for them,” he said.
“Mitch Lamb had not played a round of matchplay in his life before the weekend and he managed to win his match.
“Apparently there was a group of around 30 to 40 supporters following them around during the day. Toukley brought a bus of supporters over and there were Bathurst parents watching on too.”