Golf Takes Shot in Claiming Tournament Title

Written on the 10 May 2023 by SWSAS

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport Golf Squad, partnered by the Campbelltown Golf Club, recently participated at the ClubsNSW Regional Academy Games in Wagga Wagga at the end of April.

Taking part alongside nearly eighty competitors from across the twelve Regional Academy programs, the South West Sydney Academy of Sport squad of six competing athletes began the weekend by contesting back-to-back individual rounds, or 36 holes. The flat-out competitive Golf taking place over nearly four hours at the picturesque Wagga Wagga Country Club.

Under the tutelage of Academy Golf Coordinator Scott Martyn, each individual athlete recorded some pleasing results, with Joey Eason and Zackie Kadir both finishing inside the top 25 males, whilst Libby Newcombe recorded a strong 14^th overall and 6^th on Nett in the female class, in her first Academy Games competition.

After a physically taxing first day on the course, Academy programs then merged themselves into teams for the Sunday, with the Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) hosting a US-style teams’ tournament, with the squad moving location to the small country town of Tumut, and the beautiful Tumut Golf Course.

Having the opportunity to play in a team environment was new to the Academy Games competition this year, yet was one warmly received by all Academies and athletes. Teams were ranked according to their athletes’ individual rounds from Saturday.

Despite qualifying in eighth for Sunday’s Teams’ event, placing the Academy team into Division 2, in true South West fashion, the Academy team worked together to defeat the then-fifth ranked Hunter Academy of Sport across a nine hole teams match play tournament.

The Academy squad then took on the North Coast Academy of Sport in the Division 2 final, where South West Sydney Academy of sport prevailed, having climbed to finish fifth overall, and in the process, claiming the ‘Regional Academy Games Division 2 Team Tournament’ title.

Following on from the Academy Games success, Libby Newcombe and Zackie Kadir have been invited to represent the Academy at the upcoming JNJG North v South Cup to take place at the Catalina Golf Course in Batemans Bay in late May. And playing off handicaps of 12 and 1 respectively, are expected to excel in the challenge and opportunity that the North v South Cup provides.

“The annual North v South Cup will see the state’s top junior golfers, as selected by their regional Academies, mix it with athletes from across the state, with additional coaching and match-play opportunities taking place throughout the selective tournament.” said Sport Operations Manager Stephen Craig.

“The athlete’s selection recognises not just their achievements at the Regional Academy Games, but a big part of the selection criteria is their ongoing commitment in developing themselves and their game as a part of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport.” Added Craig.

Representatives from the Academy’s Golf program will also participate in several local and community Golf Days throughout May and June, with a significant focus on this year’s remaining program being the athlete’s participation in the JNJG Junior tour, concluding with the Macarthur Junior Masters, to be held in Campbelltown and Camden in June.

For more information on the South West Sydney Academy of Sport and its Golf Program, head to www.swsas.org.au.

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