SAJG Junior Spotlight

The SAJG Junior Spotlight is a chance to showcase a junior golfer's background and passion for the game of golf. Not reserved just for the best juniors, we aim to provide a variety of junior profiles, both boys and girls, on this page. If you know of a junior golfer who embraces many of the ideals of the game of golf and has a true passion, please let us know at SAJG by emailing ashley@stuartappleby.com.au with your nomimation. Our current junior "in the spotlight" is Karl Vilips from Yarra Yarra GC.

Karl Vilips - Yarra Yarra GC Much has been written about Karl and his emerging golfing talent. Despite his international performances Karl remains well grounded and plays with his age group in the SAJG Rookie Series as well as many other events around Victoria. He is supported by his father Paul, who is keen to see Karl develop in his education and friendships, along with his golf. Karl one day wants to be a golf professional. For more of his golfing background click on the video link below. Click here for Karl's recent golf video for ABC 3 and golfing aspirations...

Ben Powell - Garfield GC Ben is one of our youngest members/players and one of the most enthusiastic. At just five years old Ben shows remarkable talent and poise on the golf course, ably guided by his dad and hero, Geoff. Ben is a regular in the Under 10 section of our Rookie Series and he recently qualified for the final with a strong finish at Oakliegh. Ben recently got his first handicap of 34.5...not too bad if you're only 5. Benno loves to run and race to his ball on the golf course(he always beats Geoff)....great for speeding up play!!! Also, he has a small Stuart Appleby zip up bag (I think he got it with the membership pack) which he keeps all his treasures which he finds on the golf course. Ben one day wants to be a golf professional. He's got a long way to go, but he is definitely on the right track. Good luck Ben!! Click here for Ben's golfing profile and aspirations...

Claudia Hazell - Bacchus Marsh West GC Claudia has been playing golf with a handicap for a couple of years, but has had a club in her hand since she was around 7years old, playing weekly in a Saturday clinic run by her dad Michael Hazell and another member/volunteer Lawry Borgelt. Claudia at 13 is the youngest Member at Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club to win a board event in 2009 (she was 11 at the time) then recently the same event this year. Claudia recently won the Ballarat District Silver Spoon, and has also just won the nett in a Junior Pump Shootout at Eynesbury and had her name drawn to go to Queensland in early December for the 2010 pump golf festival to be held in conjunction with the PGA championships. In the past 2 months her handicap has dropped from 45 to 35, winning nett in 2 competitions over the September school holidays (Northern & Sunshine). She came 1st overall in the Vgolf shootout at Curlewis to qualify to attend the Vic Open in January 2011 and came 3rd in a competition at 13th beach. Claudia is the only junior with a handicap at the Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club and has taken out the ladies monthly medal 3 times this year with two being the last 2 months. Her world is split between her two loves of golf and dance, keeping her fit and limber.

Frazer Droop - Yarrawonga and Border GC Frazer progressed from playing 9 holes often with Dad, Evan, to getting his handicap when nearly 11 years old. This just happened as Dad is a golf pro and Frazer has always been around the golf club/course in the proshop, etc. His inspiration in doing so sort of just happened, Dad wanted him to play 18 holes one day with him socially and it just went on from there. Frazer is now playing off 6 (and still just 13 years old) and hopes one day to play on the PGA Tour. Good Luck with your goals Fraze! We need great to keep producing great players! Click here for Frazer's golfing profile and aspirations...

David Ackland - Devilbend GC David started golf at Mornington Driving Range after his mother dragged him along to her golf lessons.....so I guess like many juniors it all starts from within the family. David has been playing golf for about 6 years, with his first handicap being 29 and has progressed his golf to be now playing off 11. David is a member of Devilbend Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula and would love to play many of the overseas golf courses and perhaps look to becoming a golf coach. Good Luck with your goals David! We need great coaches in this great game! Click here for David's golfing profile and aspirations...

James Harrington - Moonah Links James started golf at Moonah Links only recently after he started working there. James got his first handicap of 19 about 5 months ago and had progressed his golf quickly to be now playing off 9. He is the current "junior ambassador" for Moonah Links which entitles him to work with their professional team to progress his golf and also provides access to the wonderful practice facilities at the Moonah Links Golf Academy. James lists Michael Sim and Adam Scott as his favourite tour players an would like to reduce his handicap to between 2 and 5 by the end of the year and one day become a trainee professional. Good Luck with your goals James! Click here for James' golfing profile and aspirations...

James Fiddler - Kingston Heath GC James started golf at a local driving range and on holidays playing with Dad and friends. He enjoyed this so much that we looked at local clubs where he did some clinics before liking the surrounds and environment at Kingston Heath, getting involved with the regular Junior Clinic program when he was 11 years old. James got his first handicap at 12 years old at Kingston Heath off 28 and was one of the youngest Cadet members at the time. He is also a Junior member at Woodlands Golf club as well where he plays in the Sunday competitions and represents them in Junior Pennant. James has always admired Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas and Sergio Garcia and one day would like to play professionally. Click here for James' golfing profile and aspirations...

Julienne Soo - Woodlands GC Julienne at just 12 years old is one of the state's most promising young golfers, having reduced her handicap to 3.9. Julienne was introduced to the game when her father asked her to try it out. Her golf has progressed from those beginner clinics to a point where her aspirations are to compete at Australian Open level. Julienne has been selected to represent SAJG at the Jack Newton International in NSW later in the year, where she will compete against many seasoned players. Click here for Julienne's golfing profile and aspirations...

Lachie Devine - Shepparton GC Lachie is a young man who is really starting to achieve at golf and he is still just 13 years old. Like all of our junior spotlight players, Lachie was introduced to the game by his father Geoff, himself a very good player. Lachie recently had the pleasure of beating his father off the stick...a moment I'm sure he'll remember for some time. His golf has progressed to a level where he is now playing off a 9 handicap, recently winning the B Grade Championship at Shepparton GC against many more seasoned players. To find out more about this and what Lachie loves about the game of golf, click on the link below. Click here for Lachie's golfing profile and aspirations...

Ben Rogers - Sorrento GC Ben is a young man with some positive goals for his golf and his future. Introduced to the game by his father Ray, Ben has been supported by a strong network of people around him, including the support of his family, his coach and the members of his home club at Sorrento. His golf has progressed to a level where he is now playing off a 3 handicap, recently shooting his best round of 4 under par around the well regarded Sorrento GC layout. Ben has played in many SAJG events with a great deal of success, always extremely competitive in his age bracket. We look forward to seeing his golf develop further in the years ahead. Click here for Ben's golfing profile and aspirations...

Matthew Bellion - Huntingdale GC Matthew (pictured at back right) was introduced to golf at age 2 by playing with his father Peter, himself a keen golfer. Matthew joined SAJG (one of our first members) in January 2004 as a 10 year old and played in many SAJG events in his early years, with strong family support and some good success. Matthew later joined Oakleigh GC and is now a junior member at Huntingdale GC and plays in their Colt's Pennant Team, where his father Peter is the team manager. Matt is currently playing off a 5 handicap and aspires to a career as a touring professional. Golf is obviously a strong focus in the Bellion household. Click here for Matt's golfing profile and aspirations...