WORDS MALTA GOLF ASSOCIATION MALTA JUNIOR GOLF OPEN 2023

THE MALTA GOLF ASSOCIATION RECENTLY ORGANISED THE FIFTH EDITION OF MALTA JUNIOR GOLF OPEN WITH 63 YOUNG PLAYERS FROM 18 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TAKING PART. THIS WAS HELD AT THE ROYAL MALTA GOLF CLUB BETWEEN THE 3RD AND 5TH OF APRIL.

The overseas players hailed from Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine. Eight of the participating players were Local members.

The three days were played under difficult weather conditions characterised by rain on the first day and gusting winds on the second day. On the third day, the wind prevailed albeit somewhat of lesser intensity but play had to be suspended for an hour due to heavy rainfall and lightening. Out of 189 scores over the three days, only nine were to level par 68 for the course or b etter and only one aggregate score over the three days was under par for the course.

The tournament, endorsed by The R&A towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking points system, invited entries from players under-18 years of age in both genders as well as an additional category enabling players between 18 and 21 years of age to compete for their own awards.

The under-21 girls category was won by Zsofia Foldhazi-Nagy from Hungary by default. Zsofia was the only girl participating in this category and was awarded for her efforts to participate nonetheless. The under-21 boys was taken by Rene Bergendi from Slovakia. Gianbattista Perilli from Germany came second followed by Oliver Stuart from Malta and Lasse Bonig from Germany.

In the under-18 category, Jonas Rother from Germany came first for the boys followed by Eric Casademont Vinyoles from Spain, Max Tabone from Switzerland and Noah Gratil from Malta. In the female category, Turkey’s Deniz Sapmaz took first place ahead of Nina Holzenbein from Germany, Maria Moczarska from Poland and Zeynep Sualp also from Turkey.

The other prize on offer was for the best net score from a local player. This was claimed by Hugh Zhang who played five over his handicap over fifty-four holes.

The sixth edition of this competition is due to be played 25th to 27th March 2024.

WORDS MARIA MUSCAT