Golf club gallops ahead of rivals in talent production
SANDY Gallop is rapidly proving itself a production line for junior golfing talent.
The club has seven girls contesting the final qualifying tournament for the Australian Ladies Masters this week.
Both are being held at the Royal Pines Golf Club, with the qualifying today, ahead of the Masters from Thursday.
If successful in qualifying one of the girls will get the chance to tee up alongside former and current world number one ranked ladies players, Korean's Jiyi Shin and Yani Tsing, as well as Queensland champion Karrie Webb.
Moreton District captains and Sandy Gallop products Tahlia Condon and Kiara Frohmuller will lead the young team, which includes Laidley's Melissa Littlejohns.
They are among the best chances of winning their place into the main field against the world's best.
Sandy Gallop's seven representatives is the most of any club in Australia.
Twelve-year-old Lauren Ziebarth could prove the dark horse of the competition, having claimed second place at the Queensland Primary Schools Championships in mid-2012, while dropping her handicap by about 20 shots.
Other members of Sandy Gallop's talented squad are twins Ashlee and Mikaela Verrall, along with Tiana O'Sullivan and Shakira Kelly, who will be among the youngest of the competitors.
They are using the event to gain as much big tournament experience as they can, leading into what could be an incredible year for Moreton District junior golf.
All players have come through the successful Moreton District program that was put in place in the start of 2012, to bring all juniors from the surrounding Ipswich area together to train and play as a team with the goal of improving the overall standard.
It has obviously worked and the concept, created and developed in Ipswich, is being adopted by a number of districts throughout Queensland.
"It is hoped that by continuing to develop junior golfers' skills, with a focus on the enjoyment of the game, we will be able to keep producing young talent," Moreton District Junior Golf co-ordinator Craig Frohmuller said.
"Giving them a pathway to be successful in not only their golfing endeavours, but also in life."
