GolfWA has confirmed its line-up of players to represent the state at the Australian Interstate Teams Matches in May.
The open-age competition features five men and five women per state, who will contest singles match play encounters in a round-robin team format at Southport Golf Club, QLD, from May 6-8.
The WA women’s lineup features one new call-up with Isabella Leniartek stepping up from the junior team for the first time.
Fifteen-year-old Leniartek enjoyed a stand-out Junior Interstate series in April where she won all five of her matches against some of the nation’s top rising talents – the best record of any player at the event.
Royal Fremantle’s Australia international Abbie Teasdale headlines the women’s team, while Amie Phobubpa, Erina Tan and new WA Women’s Amateur Champion Amanda Gan complete the lineup. All four have prior experience at the event.
WA will be captained by Goldfields GC member Connor Fewkes for the third year running, with the Aussie international joined in the men’s team by Joseph Buttress, Jordan Doull, Josiah Edwards and Michael Hanrahan Smith (Cottesloe).
Fresh from captaining the WA team at April’s Junior Interstate Matches, 16-year-old Edwards will make his open-age interstate debut in QLD, as will Hanrahan Smith, who has impressed since returning from a serious wrist injury in 2023.
Mount Lawley’s Doull was a revelation in the 2023 competition, winning three of his four matches in fine style, while WAGC member Buttress will play in his last interstate series before heading off to the US college golf system in August.
WA in confident mood
WA struggled at the 2023 Interstate Matches, finishing fifth overall in the combined team standings with just one win from their five matches against lowly Tasmania. However, with a more experienced team and several players currently at the peak of their powers, WA’s chances of making a title bid seem realistic.
State coach Jess Speechley said: “We have a strong and competitive team this year and we’re hoping to see them perform well and come back home with a win.
“We were so close with the junior interstate series and I believe this will give the players a push to stay positive and play to their best ability.”
WA team for Australian Interstate Matches
Men: Joseph Buttress (WAGC); Jordan Doull (Mount Lawley); Josiah Edwards (Gosnells); Connor Fewkes (Goldfields); Michael Hanrahan Smith (Cottesloe)
Women: Amanda Gan (Mount Lawley); Isabella Leniartek (Mount Lawley); Amie Phobubpa (Joondalup); Erina Tan (Mount Lawley); Abbie Teasdale (Royal Fremantle)
You’ll be able to follow the interstate matches via the GolfWA news section and our Facebook and Insta accounts. You can also subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter here.
