DRIVING SUCCESS

Karrie Webb Inspires Young Golfers

The Ayr Golf Club played host to an exceptional weekend of sporting talent during the annual Karrie Webb Junior Masters, a testament to the enduring legacy of one of Australia's golfing icons. With a total of 66 junior golfers taking to the greens, this event showcased not only the emerging talents but also the commitment to nurturing young golfers in the country.

Participants ranged from 18-hole players to those competing in shorter rounds, with families from the local community and avid players traveling from as far as Brisbane, Yeppoon, and Cairns. The diversity of the field highlighted the tournament's significance within the junior golfing community.

Evelyn Webb, Karrie Webb's mother and one of the tournament's organisers, emphasised the event's growing prominence. She reflected on how this annual gathering has evolved over the years, stating, “I think it’s gotten bigger. Helen Oar, myself and the junior committee have run this now for the last three times and it’s just gotten bigger and bigger,” she said.

“With the state accreditation attached to it, it will hopefully grow into the future."

Evelyn highlighted the increased participation of girls in this year's event, aligning with Golf Australia's efforts to bolster women's golf. She underlined the importance of junior golf, emphasising that clubs need to nurture young talent to secure the sport's future.

"Junior golf is what we’re trying to grow across the board because clubs have got to realise that without juniors, their clubs won’t have people playing in 20 years’ time," she added.

“Our girls numbers have increased this year, so we had more this year than we’ve had before.”

The significance of this tournament lies in its attachment to the legendary Karrie Webb, one of Australia's golfing treasures. Karrie, who has achieved astounding success in her golfing career, including 41 victories on the LPGA Tour and seven Major Championships, is celebrated as one of the sport's iconic figures. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at the age of 30, the youngest ever inductee.

Karrie met with some of the Burdekin’s rising golf stars on the Friday afternoon before the tournament to sign autographs and inspire the next generation, much like how Greg Norman inspired her own career from a young age.

Evelyn Webb further commented on the importance of this tournament for Karrie, saying, "It’s the only tournament Karrie has her name attached to in Australia.

“She does a lot for junior golf and women’s golf in particular. For her, it’s special, and she’s been here for the last two years.

“I think that’s how she sees her future, developing junior and golf and women’s golf in particular."

The tournament's winner in the 18-hole boys' category was Patrick Brennan, who displayed exceptional skills and secured the title with a total gross score of 150 shots over two days. The 18-hole girls' category saw Lily McGuiness emerge as the Champion Girl, with a total gross score of 151 shots over 36 holes. Karrie Webb herself was present throughout the weekend, presenting the winners with their well-deserved prizes. As young golfers completed their rounds on Sunday, they shared a special moment with Karrie Webb, gathering for a group photo.

This gathering also included the end-of-year presentations for Golf North Queensland, underlining the tournament's significance in the broader golfing community.

The tournament wouldn’t be a success without the assistance of fantastic sponsors.

Mizuno Golf and TG Spares Ltd sponsored the event, while Burdekin Life Newspaper is thankful for the continued support of Ayr Golf Club’s Junior Sponsors who helped to make this feature possible through advertising, Coral Coast Marine, Oar and Horan Dentists, Swerve Surf & Ski and Coar Engineering.

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Karrie Webb Junior Masters Results

3 hole Gross winner Curtis Borellini

3 hole Gross runner up Imogen Ward

3 hole Nett winner Ella Church      

3 hole Nett runner up Ivy Land

6 hole Girl Gross winner Renee Ward

6 hole Girl Gross runner up Harper Ellul

6 hole Girl Nett winner Tegan Saxby

6 hole Girl Nett runner up Evelyn Mahoney

6 hole Boys Gross winner Xavier Church    

6 hole Boys Gross runner up Parker Oar    

6 hole Boys Nett winner Ethan Pengelly    

6 hole Boys Nett runner up Kyle Wilkie

9 hole Girl Gross winner Chloe Pratley

9 hole Girl Nett winner Terrianna Omeli

9 hole Boys Gross winner Hudson Calvert

9 hole Boys Gross runner up Clayton Walsh

9 hole Boys Nett winner Ikie McGrath

9 hole Nett runner up Lleyton Brown

18 hole Girls Gross winner and KWJM Champion Lily McGuiness

18 hole Girls Gross runner up Hayley Jenkins

18 hole Girls Nett winner Sophie Moffat

18 hole Girls Nett winner Gabby Cahill

18 hole Boys Gross winner and KWJM Champion Patrick Brennan

18 hole Boys Gross runner up Dallas Douglas

18 hole Boys Nett winner Jim Breen

18 hole Boys Nett runner up Blake Lovelock

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Evelyn Webb, Karrie Webb and Callan Oar were joined by Burdekin golfing juniors to meet Karrie before the junior masters tournament in her name. Photo credit: Melanie Napier Memories and Photography