Queensland’s junior golf top 50: Best amateurs
As golf stars Cameron Smith and Adam Scott arrive down under for the Australian PGA Championship, we are shining a spotlight on the sport by revealing the next generation of Queensland’s golfing talents. FULL LIST
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Before golfing superstar Cameron Smith was this year’s celebrated British Open champion, he was a fresh-faced Queensland schoolboy of 17 winning the Australian Boys’ Amateur title in 2011.
Queensland has been one of the great nurseries for golfers of world renown from Greg Norman, Wayne Grady and Karrie Webb to Ian Baker-Finch, Jason Day and Adam Scott.
Australia’s next great golfer may be just into his or her teens at Royal Queensland over the next few days. There, they can catch the inspiration at close range from Smith and Scott when they play together in the same group on Thursday and Friday at the Fortinet Australian PGA.
The Courier-Mail has compiled this list of the Top 60 Young Queensland Golfers to watch as they progress through the amateur ranks to possible pro futures.
THE BEST BOYS
HARRY TAKIS
Club: Virginia Golf Club
Events: 5
Result: 642
Takis had recently played in the Queensland PGA and he made the cut. He was near the lead at one point in the third round but fell away towards the end.
He is arguably the best junior in Queensland.
KAI KOMULAINEN
Club: Emerald Lakes Golf Club
Events: 2
Result: 222
The other Cameron Smith Scholarship winner with Billy (see below). Komulainen spent a week at Smith’s house before the Memorial Tournament on the PGA tour.
Smith, Komulainen and Dowling flew in a private plane to get to the tournament so you can imagine Smith had some great insight to share.
The Queensland Junior Amateur of the Year in 2021 and 2022.
BILLY DOWLING
Club: Surfers Paradise Golf Club
Events: 5
Result: 522
Dowling was the other recipient of the Cameron Smith scholarship this year and he won the Queensland junior Amateur Championship last year.
Based on the Gold Coast and is a cracking young player.
WILLIAM BOWEN
Club: Royal Queensland
Events: 2
Result: 203
Bowen won the Queensland Amateur Championships this year. He is most definitely one of the top five male amateurs in Queensland right now.
TAJ EGEA
Club: Brookwater Golf Club
Events: 7
Result: 594
Egea played in the Junior State Team this year and his dad is a golf professional so he has the pick of great mentors by his side.
WILDCARD WATCH
THOMAS WINN
Club: Pacific Golf Club
Events: 8
Result: 594
Winn is a Titleist Star of the Future and that’s an understatement. Watch out for him.
DUJUAN SNYMAN
Club: Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club -The Pines
Events: 4
Result: 570
Snyman recently won the 15 years and under division at the Gary Player Classic at Pacific Golf Club. Snyman played superb rounds of 68, 72 and 74 to win by three strokes.
The young gun is originally from South Africa, and his brother is a great junior golfer as well. He has a great coach as well.
PHIL SNYMAN
Club: Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club -The Pines
Events: 3
Result: 256
The older brother of Dujuan (see above) has a great coach and golf running through his blood.
HARRISON GOMEZ
Club: RACV Royal Pines Resort Golf Club
Events: 6
Result: 440
Gomez is a young player from the Gold Coast and all we have to say is he is incredible for his age. In the under 15 age group especially, he has seen plenty of success.
WESLEY HINTON
Club: Keperra Country Golf Club
Events: 7
Result: 427
Hinton is Brisbane based, and a pocket rocket. He is a great player and as he grows he will improve significantly.
That has been the case so far.
JACK ARMSTRONG
Club: Royal Queensland Golf Club
Events: 7
Result: 389
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree — Armstrong’s dad is a very accomplished golfer. The youngster is a New South Welshman who came up a couple years ago and since then he has taken his game to a new level.
A great listener and willing to learn.
MANATO NAKATANI
Club: Surfers Paradise (NSW)
Events: 2
Result: 197
Nakatani has signed with Maryland College for 2023 and there’s little wonder why. The young gun is more than ready to take on the American College system with his well-rounded game which was on show for everyone to see at the Gary Player Classic at Pacific Golf Club.
ALFIE WARD
Club: Emerald Lakes Golf Club
Events: 3
271
Ward is originally from sporting rich Far North Queensland. He is coached by Grant Field so he is in very good hands.
COUPER SMITH
Club: Mossman Golf Club
Events: 2
Result: 196
Smith has had a year to remember. Whether it be his triumph at the Karrie Webb, his involvement in the 2022 FNQ golf men’s pennant match play series along with the Mossman Golf Club Men’s match play championship, he has been simply outstanding.
He is the Mossman A Grade match play champion and boy does he deserve it.
He’s little, has been playing the game for years, and has improved leaps and bounds this year.
JAYKE MERRELL
Club: Wantima Golf Club
Events: 5
188
Merell was the Men’s A Grade Gross runner up this month in the Wantima Club Championships and if the weather was permitting, he could have been the winner.
JORDAN MCGARRY
Club: Pacific (QLD)
Events: 4
Result: 177
McGarry was one of ten recipients of the 2021 Titleist Stars of the Future Scholarships from Junior Golf Queensland, a scholarship providing him with golf balls, gloves, shoes and hats among other Titleist merchandise.
He was joined with his Pacific pal Thomas Winn.
JUSTIN HAMMETT
Club: Emerald Lakes Golf Club
Events: 3
Result: 175
Brother of Sarah Hammett, originally from South Africa, he was a brilliant prospect from a young age and is sure to find his form once more.
BRONSON WHITE
Club: Noosa Golf Club
Events: 3
Result: 173
Earlier in the month Hammett qualified for the 2022 Greg Norman Junior Masters at the Ian Baker Finch Classic held at Noosa Golf Club. The young gun hit a 72 in the Boys 17 and under division.
CAMPBELL KERR
Club: The Brisbane Golf Club
Events: 6
Result: 367
BENJAMIN JACKSON
Club: Pacific Golf Club
Events: 4
Result: 281
JUSTIN MCCORMACK
Club: Gailes Golf Club
Events: 5
Result: 270
CHASE OBERLE
Club: Brookwater Golf Club
Events: 3
Result: 229
ELIJAH ROHAS-SMITH
Club: Surfers Paradise Golf Club
Events: 5
Result: 227
ISAAK JENSEN
Club: Yeppoon Golf Club
Events: 3
Result: 224
JACK JONES
Club: Keperra Country Golf Club
Events: 5
Result: 210
HARVEY PALMER
Club: The Brisbane Golf Club
Events: 5
Result: 209
HYUNSEO YIM
Club: RACV Royal Pines Resort Golf Club
Events: 5
Result: 200
JEDD BRADY
Club: Virginia Golf Club
Events: 5
Result: 168
JOHN YOON
Club: Royal Queensland (QLD)
Events: 4
Result: 167
LUKA BUTTERWORTH
Club: Pacific (QLD)
Events: 4
Result: 157
THE TOP GIRLS
HARUHI NAKATANI
Club: Surfers Paradise Golf Club
Events: 6
Result: 647
Nakatani is one of the most promising young stars going around right now. She won the Tasmianian Junior Masters earlier in the year. Fast forward a few months and the South Pacific Women’s Open Classic was hers as well. The Queensland School Sport 13-18 Years Golf Merit Team also has her name on it.
Watch this space. From Japan, she is one of the best in the State. Why? She has won that many events.
SARAH HAMMETT
Club: Emerald Lakes (QLD)
Events: 3
Result: 355
15-year-old sensation Sarah Hammett took out the Girls’ OOM this year. Last year’s champion Haruhi Nakatini finished runner up.
Hammett is a South African who has recently become an Australian citizen and since has wasted no time — playing in the Australian Open next weekend on an invite.
She also played in the Asia Pacific Amateur representing Australia earlier in the month.
KATE MCFARLANE
Club: Bundaberg Golf Club
Events: 3
Result: 285
The Bundaberg golfer is one of the best in the state and has already represented her state and country in national and international events. McFarlane, a Shalom College student, recently took out the Invincibles IGA Junior Masters title on the Sunshine Coast, winning by one stroke. She is also a former winner of the best golfer at the Bundaberg Junior Golf Club.
Played in the Queensland State team this year.
SUMMER SADLER
Club: Emerald Lakes (QLD)
Events: 3
Result: 288
Sadler hails from the sporting rich Gold Coast region and she has been winning since a very young age.
She has stayed true to Emerald Lakes the whole way through and it’ll be no surprise to see her succeed in the senior ranks.
Played in the Queensland State team this year.
SHYLA SINGH
Club: Southport Golf Club
Events: 3
Result: 270
You name it and there is a good chance Singh has achieved it. Queensland team selection, podium finishes in Schoolgirls Queensland Championships, Junior Classics, Club Champion honours and more fill her impressive golfing resume.
Singh played in the Queensland State team this year and represented Australia at the IMG World Junior Championships in July.
It’s worth noting she’s a left-handed hero.
WILDCARD WATCH
GRACE RHO
Club: Royal Queensland Golf Club
Events: 7
429
Rho has had her fair share of winning in her young career. In 2021 especially, the youngster was in a phenomenal patch of form for Southport Golf Club.
MIKAYLA DYAL
Club: Royal Queensland Golf Club
Events: 7
Result: 408
Dyal has been scoring more consistently than she ever has this year. She takes everything in her stride, is a great listener and it’s worth noting she wasn’t far away from giving the game away so high praise to her for believing in the process.
KIRRA ST-LAURENT
Club: Links Hope Island Golf Club
Events: 4
Result: 354
Hope Island hero Kirra St-Laurent recently took out the Mixed Foursomes Championship with Greg Shipton with terrific scores of 78,41 – 119.
YUUKI TAKADA
Club: Southport (QLD)
Events: 2
Result: 277
Emerging 15-year-old prospect Yuuki Takada had played in the Mitsubishi Electric Ladies Golf Tournament, LPGA Tour of Japan in October and the experience was invaluable.
She came up against Japan’s top amateurs and professionals and jeez she impressed.
ELLY PETERSEN
Club: RACV Royal Pines Resort Golf Club
Events: 2
Result: 245
Peterson hails from the Gold Coast, and is a 16-year-old emerging talent.
18. IONNA MUIR
Club: Maroochy River Golf Club
Events: 2
Result: 133
Muir has had some fantastic results, and is coached by Grant Field, just like Cameron Smith.
CAITLIN VANDERKRUK
Club: Keperra Country Golf Club
Events: 3
Result: 117
Youngster Vanderkruk has seen some promising results and it will not shock anyone to see her make a name for herself.
AMY HODGKINS
Club: Royal Queensland (QLD)
Events: 1
Result: 69
Hodgkins is the sister of Kirstie, who was an Australian representative who went to College in the US.
Amy is following in her sister’s footsteps, attending College in the US also.
MILLIE KOMULAINEN
Club: Emerald Lakes (QLD)
Events: 1
Result: 50
Sister of Kai (see above). Two words — Young and good.
Her results are a great indicator of her potential and there is plenty of room to grow for the 14-year-old.
Footnote: Special mention to up-and-coming Queensland golfers Safina Kyprianou, Godiva Kim, Riko Danjo, Seoin Kim, Amy Jo, Jessica Han, Lilli-J Dunn, Seoyeon Kim, Samara Dryden, Ellandi Findlay, Allegra De Guzman, Kirra Greer, Jemima Baldwin, Lily Saba, Maddison Kelly, and Marley Habermann who were also making inroads as amateurs.
Players to Watch: 50+ excitement machines set to light up All Schools rugby 7s
The All Schools Rugby 7s tournament has unearthed star sisters Teagan and Maddison Levi. Who’s up next? Named here are more than 50 real deal x-factor players to watch in this weekend’s bumper event. FULL LIST
Read more
800+ names: Top BMC, Tav’s batters and bowlers ranked
Stat kings: Who are the leading run scorers and wicket takers in Queensland cricket’s elite Taverners Under-17s and Brisbane Metro Cup Under-16s competitions? 800+ players ranked here in our interactive tables.
Read more