Diary by Ben Layton
In mid October, I competed in the Aaron Baddeley Australian Junior Championship in Victoria at The Heritage Golf and Country Club and from that tournament the top four boys, and top two girls were selected to represent Australia in December at the Aaron Baddeley International Junior Championship at La Costa resort and spa in San Diego in which the winner receives a spot in the Australian Open.
After coming in a tied for fourth at the Australian final, I was selected along with three other boys, and two other girls including fellow South Australians Ella Adams and Joe Hodgson to represent Australia at the international event.
Day 1: We arrived in Los Angeles after a combined 16 hours of flying to meet the other members of the Australian team, as well as Min Woo Lee who was sent by Golf WA after some excellent recent results and Blake Windred who earned the trip by winning the Jack Newton Srixon International in New South Wales. From LAX it was a two-hour bus trip to the resort and after arriving at the resort we made use of the world-class practice facilities.
Day 2: On day two we finally had the opportunity to play the golf course and it was like nothing I have ever played. The rough was thick and the greens were very soft which is the opposite to anything I have ever played back home in Australia.
Day 3: We began day three by making the most of the buffet breakfast, which was followed by having the opportunity of meeting Aaron Baddeley as well as receiving some very helpful advice, particularly on the greens. This was followed by another practice round and we were met by Aaron Baddeley on the final hole and we had a good chat about life on the PGA tour. This was followed by a dinner with Aaron Baddeley as well as the tournament organisers and the other teams in which Aaron shared some more very helpful advice as well as telling us about his Australian Open win as an amateur.
Day 4: After my roommate Joe Hodgson and I being paranoid of sleeping through the alarm, we managed to wake up on time. Day four was the first round of the tournament and after a very poor start (+3 thru 6) I managed to eagle the 17th and post a +1 round of 73. I played quite well leaving myself a number of 10-20 footers for birdie but couldn’t quite get anything going with the putter. At the end of the day I was leading my age group (16 year olds) and was tied 10th, 5 off the lead that was at -4.
Day 5: I had a later tee time in round two and had a plan to stay below the hole giving me a more realistic chance to hole the birdie putts. I started okay but again struggled to make birdies and after being +1 thru 12 I was going okay but I felt that I had to make more birdies and set a goal of finishing the round under par. This backfired on me and I put myself out of position around the greens. I finished the round at a very disappointing +7 for a round of 79. I learned a lot from this round in particular as I put myself completely out of contention, simply through not sticking to my plan. I enjoyed my first two rounds with playing partners from the U.S.A and Mexico. That night there was a college seminar where a speaker educated us on what we had to do to be accepted into an NCAA division 1 college and the details of what we would be doing at college.
Day 6: In the third round I was paired with roommate and fellow South Australian Joe Hodgson. In the third round I hit the ball horribly but my short game and putting saved me and I finished the round at +1 for a round of 73. My goal for the round was to birdie all four par 5s and I managed to birdie the first 3 but unfortunately made a sloppy par from a good position on the final par 5. Following the round we had dinner at a Buffalo wings restaurant, which we all really enjoyed.
Day 7: Our final day began with checking out of the resort so we could leave following the conclusion of the final round. I set a goal of shooting in the 60s for the final round and hopefully push up into the top 10 but after a poor start I had to re-asses. I was way too aggressive and ended up shooting a 79 which was a disappointing finish to a very enjoyable tournament. I came 6th for my age group and tied 22nd overall. Fellow Australian Min Woo Lee won the tournament running away from the field to finish -19 for the tournament. The Australian Team unfortunately lost by 3 shots despite excellent play by the other Australians.
The trip was an experience that I have learned so much from and I will never forget it. It would not have been possible if it weren’t for everyone who assisted me including the Willunga Golf Club, the Glenelg Golf Club Foundation, Golf SA, Southern Golf Group and everyone else who supported me in this experience that I learned greatly from. I am now looking forward to a big summer of golf that includes The Australian Amateur and Riversdale Cup.
About the Glenelg Golf Club Foundation
Through the Glenelg Golf Club Foundation, we have identified junior golf as one of our key areas of importance.
As a result, the Club has focused on funding the ongoing development, training and promotion of junior golf with proceeds raised through the Foundation as a part of the Junior Golf & Elite Player Development project. This results in an outstanding, fully funded Junior Development Program at Glenelg Golf Club.
Click here for more information on the Glenelg Golf Club Foundation.
Click here for more information on the Club’s Junior Development Program
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