Nicholas Smits Wins Greg Norman Junior Masters

Congratulations to Nicholas Smits who has added another prestigous trophy to his collection after recently winning the under 17 years division at the Greg Norman Junior Masters played at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Golf Course. Nick played very well to shoot scores of 70, 68, 74, 70 and was third overall in the event.

Nicholas was a product of the Gary Edwin Golf Academy in Singapore, before his coach and Head Instructor Chris Marriott made arrangements for Nicholas to pursue his dream of professional golf by relocating him and his training to Australia's Gold Coast where he trains under the watchful eye of "The Guru" Gary Edwin himself. It was a big move for the teenager but proving to be well worth it after recording some fantastic results in recent times.

Great effort Nick!

Peter Senior Claims 2009 Australian PGA Seniors Championship

Peter Senior has continued his fine run of form, claiming the Fiducian Australian PGA Seniors Championship at Byron Bay Golf Club. Pete finished the 54-hole tournament at 9-under par and nine shots ahead of Michael Harwood and Larry Canning.

From the start of the day it seemed to be a two-man race with Michael Harwood the only player within seven shots of the lead. Senior quickly extended his lead as Harwood dropped four shots in the first nine holes.

Senior's final round of even par was never going to be headed on a day where strong wind and rain inhibited scoring. His 72 was the second best of the day, only to be outdone by Larry Canning (71).

Congratulations Pete!

Taylor Cooper Ahead of His Time

17yr old Gary Edwin Golf student Taylor Cooper has become the youngest player in Australia to get a tour card finishing 24th at final stage of qualifying school at Sandhust golf club in Melbourne. It was a great achievement to get through both stages in his first attempt. Taylor has just completed his final year at High School and will now embark on a professional golf career. Taylor has been part of the Junior programme at the Glades since he was 13 yrs old and trains under the guidance of Senior Instructor Peter Krawitz. The Singapore Academy wishes to congratulate both Taylor and the coaching team of Gary Edwin Golf Australia on a remarkable achievement!

Edgar Storms to Victory at SICC Junior Invitational

14yr old Edgar Oh has ended a terrific year of golf by winning the SICC Junior Invitational Boys 'B' Division Title. Edgar shot a final round of 1-under par 71 around SICC's Island Course, including 4 birdies on the back nine. This victory capped off an impressive year for the young Sports School student, which included victories at the Singapore National Junior Championship, the HSBC Youth Challenge, the National Inter-School Team Championship and the NSRCC Junior Open.

Fellow Academy junior and National Inter-School Champion Marc Ong was 4 shots back in 5th place, with 1st round leader Nicholas Lim a further 2 shots behind in 9th place.

Our congratulations also go to Academy student Cathleen Wong who had a hole-in-one on the 15th hole during the final round of the Championship!

Right-Siders Dominate Wynnum Pro-Am

Australia's richest ever one day Pro-Am in the history of the PGA was played at Wynnum Golf Club and our right-sided tour players dominated the leaderboard, occupying the top 3 places.

Andrew Bonhomme, who trains under Gary Edwin Golf Senior Instructor Kevin Healey, claimed victory with a sensational 8-under par 62 that included 4 birdies and two eagles.

Runner-up was Rod Pampling with a 63. Pampling, coming off a great finish at Hyatt Coolum on Sunday, put together 8 birdies and a lone bogey. Huge crowds followed Pampling's marquee group(pictured above)which included 1991 British Open Champion Ian Baker-Finch and cricket legend Allan Border.

Scott Barr also had a fine result, shooting 64 to finish in a tie for 3rd with Wayne Perske. Other results were: Peter Senior 68, Stuart Bouvier 68,

Nicholas Leads SICC Jnr Invitational

Nicholas Lim leads the SICC Jnr Invitational boys 'B' division by 3 shots after a terrific 1st round of 2-under par 70. Nicholas is looking to add a 3rd major junior tournament trophy to his collection in 2009, after earlier victories in the HSBC Youth Challenge and the NSRCC Junior Open.

Fellow Academy student Edgar Oh is one of many who are positioned 3 shots behind Nicholas on 1-over par with 2 rounds to play.

Brilliant Finish for Pampling at PGA Championship

Rod Pampling has had a brilliant finish to the Australian PGA Championship and to his 2009 tournament season with birdies on 6 of his last 7 holes to card a final round 65. Pampling was even after the front nine holes before storming home with birdies on 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. He parred the 17th hole then capped off his round with yet another birdie on Hyatt Coolum's difficult par 4 18th hole.

His round of 6-under par was the lowest score in the field on the final day and this moved Rod up into a tie for 7th place with fellow Aussies and PGA Tour players Stuart Appleby and Geoff Ogilvy. That meant two consecutive top 10's for Pampling after also finishing in a tie for 7th at last weeks Australian Open.

Scott Barr shot an even par final round of 71 to end his week at the PGA Championship in a tie for 40th with American drawcard John Daly.

Youth Olympic Games Golf Clinic

A 5-day Friendship Camp for the Youth Olympic Games was held in Singapore this week. The Singapore Sports School played host to around 300 Youth Olympians who were all given a cultural experience and had the opportunity to learn 2 sports that they have not previously experienced. Golf was one of ten sports selected for the Friendship Camp and The Gary Edwin Golf Academy was appointed to conduct 2 golf clinics for 72 young athletes chosen by National Olympic Committees from across the globe.

It was a fantastic opportunity for the young athletes to be introduced to Golf, especially those hailing from countries that don't even have a golf course such as in parts of Africa.

T7 for Pampling at Australian Open

Rod Pampling has ended his week at the Australian Open in a tie for 7th on 4-under par 284.

After an extremely difficult week at the New South Wales GC where strong winds caused havoc during the early rounds, Pampling put together a final round charge up the leaderboard. Rod birdied the 1st, 8th and 10th holes before holing out for eagle on the 12th to get it to 5-under for the day and 6-under for the championship. Unfortunately a double bogey on the par 3 17th hole dropped Rod out of what would have been a top 3 finish.

Congratulations to the eventual champion Adam Scott who claimed his first major professional victory in Australia, defeating fellow Aussie Stuart Appleby by 5 shots.