Four of the state’s most promising junior golfers have been selected to represent GolfWA at the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in October.
Held at Cypress Lakes G&CC in NSW from October 6-9, the championship is one of the most prestigious and competitive on the annual junior calendar, with the high-calibre field routinely attracting rising stars from across the world.
Past winners include Major champions Minjee Lee and Grace Kim, as well as Aussie heavyweights Rachel Hetherington, Aaron Baddeley and Sarah Kemp.
WA golfers have a proud history in the event, with Hayden Hopewell, Kathryn Norris, Shani Waugh and Kristy Smith all on the Honour Roll. Our most recent champion was Josiah Edwards, who triumphed in 2024.
Hoping to join them in the winners’ circle this year are the WA quartet of Kortni Houston, Katie Seol, Nate Johnson and Lucas Wan, who will officially represent GolfWA at Cypress Lakes.
WAGC member Wan will make his state debut, while Houston (Lakelands CC), Seol (Cottesloe GC) and Johnson (Joondalup CC) have all lined up in GolfWA colours at both junior and open-age level.
All four have enjoyed strong seasons, with Houston notably claiming the WA Girls’ Amateur Championship in July immediately before Seol’s victory at the Junior Masters of WA.
Johnson’s season highlights include a thrilling run to the final of the WA Men’s Amateur Championship, while Wan enjoyed a career-best 2nd place finish at the 2026 WA Boys Amateur Championship.
GolfWA High Performance Manager Rick Kulacz — himself a winner of this event back in 2001 — believes the fab four have every chance of a strong showing at Cypress Lakes.
“The Jack Newton International Junior Classic has firmly established itself as one of Australia’s premier junior events, and we feel we have a strong contingent capable of contending for the titles this year,” he said.
“All four players have produced exceptional results throughout the year, and we look forward to following their progress as they compete in this prestigious event.”
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