Allegra goes back-to-back in Classic

Picture: Alfie Ward and Allegra De Guzman, overall winners at the 2024 Cameron Smith Junior Classic. 

Allegra De Guzman has become the first player to defend a title in the Cameron Smith Junior Classic (CSJC).

The 17-year-old followed last year’s two-shot win with a four-shot victory on Friday in the girls' event at Wantima Country Club Brendale.

Also on the honours board is boys’ champion Alfie Ward, 17, who won by five shots in a tournament now among the premier in Australian junior golf.

De Guzman plays at Pacific Golf Club in Carindale and said she was “very happy” after her final year in the under 18 competition.

“The course dried out today (Friday), but the first day was actually better for me,” she said, of an opening 71 which was followed with 74.

“The putts weren’t dropping (in round two), but my irons and approach to the greens were much better.”

Yejiin Sohn, from Beaudesert GC, was runner-up with rounds of 74 and 75, pipping third-placed Ellianna Macrae, of Peregian GC, 72, 77.

De Guzman now hopes to join Golf Australia’s High Performance program and continue playing interstate competitions.

Alfie Ward, from Sanctuary Cove Golf Club, felt he “left a few shots out there” on Friday, but a strong back nine saw him home.

“With nine holes to go I had a two-shot lead but capitalised with a few birdies to finish things off.” he said, after shooting 66 and 67.

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“The course was in great condition, especially the greens. The grounds staff did a great job.”

Cooper Field, from Pelican Waters GC, was second in the boys' A Grade after two rounds of 69, with Miles Romagnoli, of Royal Queensland, third after 67 and 71.

Harry Malcolm, of Virginia GC, won the boys’ B Grade with rounds of 81 and 73, from Beaudesert’s Choin Sohn 76, 78 and Aahan Anand 75, 82.

Jon Fok, of TeeMates GC, took the boys’ C Grade with rounds of 84 and 80 beating Wantima’s Jamie Adams 79, 85 and Joel Soch 85, 81.

The nine-hole competition, for those under 14 without a Golf Australia handicap, was won by Brigham Setu with a score of 38.

Giacomo Romano, of Pacific GC, was second on countback from Narsha Solomon, from Pacific Harbour GC, after both carded 39.

Co-ordinators Ken McKay and Shane Johnsson were full of praise for the grounds staff, the 50 event volunteers, sponsors and backers of the eighth CSJC.

All 224 places in the 36-hole and 9-hole events were taken within days of registrations opening with more than 170 registering in the first 24 hours.

“I can’t express how proud I am of the ground staff and the work they did,” said Ken, after more than 300mm of rain in the preceding two weeks.

“And I’m ecstatic and so grateful with how LIV Golf, Ripper GC and Cam Smith have supported us. We asked LIV for 35 hats and were sent considerably more.

“I don’t think any of the players here left here without a smile on their face, regardless of their score.

“And Cam … we’re all proud of what he does for junior sport. He’s an exceptional ambassador for our club and our country.

“He lent us his name for this event and we’re just trying to do him proud.”

Shane Johnsson last week feared the worst: “Four years ago we were washed out and (before last Thursday) and I thought … here we go again.

“I left here at 6.30pm Wednesday and the grounds staff were still working on the course by the lights of the mowers.

"They stayed out until 8.30pm to get everything done. They were terrific.”

Additional pictures: Courtesy Wantima Country Club