Tee-time for Classic juniors

Players from across Queensland and interstate will tee-up at Wantima County Club this week for the Cameron Smith Junior Classic (CSJC) – which is preparing for major changes.

Entries for this year’s two-day 36-hole tournament on Thursday and Friday (December 11-12) were snapped up in days. At time of writing, the nine-hole event still had vacancies. Visit www.mitournament.com

However, the CSJC will expand to three days in 2026 for its 10^th staging on the popular Brendale course, where Cameron Smith learned to play.

It will enable a record 256 players, under 18 with a GA (Golf Australia) handicap, to enter a new-look 54-hole competition.

The Classic started in 2017 as a one-day, 18-hole event for 132 players and in 2022 expanded to 36 holes over two days when a nine-hole tournament for under 14s without a GA handicap was introduced.

“Again, we’re looking forward to the players having fun and a good time,” Classic founder and co-coordinator Ken McKay said.

“The (Wantima) greenkeepers are busting their chops at the moment after work on the greens and by next week they should be in mint condition.

“We are very appreciative of everyone who supports this event and have helped it grow over the last nine years."

A number of the past Classic winners have gone on to sporting scholarships at universities in the US and several are now professionals.

In fact, Justice Bosio, who took the 2020 Classic girls’ title, last week had her first professional victory in the Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifier at Narrabri.

The 21-year-old from Caboolture Golf Club had four early birdies to set up a two-under final round, card a four-under total and win by five shots.

She told Golf NSW it was “really exciting” and “good to finally get a win under my belt after just over a year of being pro”.

Harry Takis, who won the Classic boys’ trophy also in 2020, was last week playing with some of the world's top golfers in the Australian Open having qualified by winning the Singapore Open.

Both are following the footsteps of Cameron Smith, 32, who grew up in Bray Park and went to Pine Rivers State High School, started his golf career as a junior at Wantima.

He turned professional in 2013 and in 2022 won both in The Players Championship and his first major - the 150^th (British) Open at St Andrews.

Smith is now on the LIV Golf Tour. Last year his Ripper GC side won the LIV Team title and is a partner with Australia’s official junior introductory program MyGolf.