Australia pips New Zealand at U.S Kids Golf Trans-Tasman Cup

Some of Australia and New Zealand’s best junior golfers went head to head at Barnwell Park Golf Club.

Story via US Kids Golf Australia

On the 5th and 6th May, twenty-four of Australia’s best junior golfers aged between 5 and 14, took on New Zealand to play for the U.S Kids Golf Trans-Tasman Cup at Barnwell Park Golf Club. It was a much anticipated match with the Australian team focused on avenging last years’ loss and ensuring that the prestigious trophy stayed this side of the ditch.

The tournament opened with an impressive march past, each team dressed in their country colours and marching behind their flag. With some competitors as young as 5, there were proud parents, grandparents, coaches and caddies to cheer them on. The national anthems were sung with huge pride which the Kiwi team followed up with a passionate Haka!

The golf on Day One was a Pro Kids event (think Pro-Am). Playing in their age and gender divisions –2 Aussies Vs 2 Kiwis in each – they played alongside a Golf Professional in a fun format. The result was nail-biting with it finishing in a 6 – 6 draw and a subsequent play off. The 6&U boys were chosen to play it out.

“The atmosphere was fantastic, with a full gallery lining the fairways cheering and encouraging these young stars who were so cool under pressure. It was so great to have Mums and Dads, Grandparents and siblings all involved in the event.” Says Managing Director Kevin Wallis.

The Kiwi team who had been down on their luck all day, rallied. They squared the first hole but unfortunately lost the second handing the win to the Aussies.

Day two was the much-anticipated Trans-Tasman Cup. Scoring was a combination of stroke and match play with a point given to the team that wins each age category.

In 2016, the result hung in the balance until the very last group posted their scores and the Kiwi’s won 6.5 to Australia’s 5.5. It was to be no different this year with genuine tug of wars happening all over the course.

Incredibly, the result again hung in the balance until the end. The Boys 10 age category made up of Victoria’s Hamish Farquharson and Harry Daniels from NSW, were the last group to finish. They came down the 18th and the scores were 6 to Australia and 5 to New Zealand. Everyone was holding their breath, anticipating another nail-biting play off but it wasn’t to be. The boys squared the hole giving Australia a 6.5 to 5.5 win!

Despite how close the scores were, the kids and families formed great friendships and reignited ones from last year, with their Kiwi competition. Families are planning holidays to visit each other and one Kiwi boy and one Aussie boy from the Boys 9 age division have just registered to play in the team event at the U.S Kids Golf World Championships held in Pinehurst in August. They are calling themselves “The ANZACs”!

U.S Kids Golf ‘s mission is to create lasting memories for kids and their families through the game of golf. The U.S Kids Golf Trans Tasman Cup certainly achieved that.

Trans Tasman Cup 2017 – Australian Team
Jessie Linden, NSW, Joey Eason, NSW – Boys 6 & Under
Nathan Hong, NSW, Chase Rendell, Qld – Boys 7
Ti Fox, NSW, Pheonix Diaz, Vic – Boys 8
Flynn Carter, Qld, Teegan Dodds, Vic – Boys 9
Hamish Farquharson, Vic, Harry Daniels, NSW – Boys 10
Luke Allen, NSW, Lachlan Kerridge, NSW – Boys 11
Ethan Ho, Qld, George Andriotis, Vic – Boys 12
Lyndon Frazer, NSW  -Boys 13
Elianna McRae, Qld, Sienna Verdon, NSW – Girls 7 & Under
Imogen Carter, NSW, Zara Shinn-Mahoney, Vic – Girls 8-9
Irene Kaloudis, NSW, Madison Hood, NSW – Girls 10-11
Angela Enqui Liu, NSW, Caitlin O’Sullivan, Vic – Girls 12-14

US Kids Golf Australia is the Australian subsidiary of US Kids Golf – the Number 1 Brand in Junior Golf Worldwide – based in Georgia USA.
US Kids Golf Australia distributes the full range of US Kids golf equipment throughout Australia. The US Kids Golf Foundation is a not for profit entity that promotes and manages US Kids Golf Tour Events, Competitions, Coaching Program and Kids Learning Program throughout Australia.

For more information on US Kids Golf Australia www.uskidsgolf.com.au or contact
Danielle Wallis – Marketing Manager (e) [email protected]