Four rookies will join half a dozen seasoned campaigners in the WA lineup for April’s Australian Junior Interstate Teams Matches.
WA’s team of 10 comprises five boys and five girls who will compete against the best juniors across the nation in the team match play tournament at Moonah Links, Victoria, from April 13-16.
In the girls’ team, Royal Perth’s Meihui Zhao earns her first WA call-up and she will join established state golfers Isabella Leniartek (Royal Perth), Halia Edwards (Gosnells GC), Kortni Houston (Lakelands CC) and Katie Seol (Cottesloe GC) in a power-packed ensemble.
WA topped the girls’ table at the 2025 junior interstates in Brisbane, winning five out of their six matches. Kortni Houston won all six of her individual matches to return the best figures of any golfer in the competition, while Leniartek, Edwards and Seol were all part of the side.
For the boys, the WA team is headlined by the reigning Australian Boys Order of Merit champion Spencer Harrison (Royal Perth) and Nate Johnson (Joondalup CC), runner-up in February’s Men’s Amateur Championship of WA.
They are joined in state colours by Mason Burr (Gosnells), Thomas Pyke (Royal Fremantle) and Declan Pereira (The Vines), all of whom have been untested at this level.
WA’s boys finished fourth in their division in 2025, with the combined team claiming third place overall, just behind Queensland and Victoria.
Kulacz upbeat on team chances
Despite heavyweight performers Josiah Edwards and Ollie Marsh no longer being eligible for junior competition, GolfWA High Performance Manager Rick Kulacz believes his young team has what it takes to compete for the title.
“The WA Junior Team looks particularly strong this year due to the balance between proven performers and emerging talent,” he said.
“The team includes players who have already competed at high-level national and interstate events, bringing valuable experience in handling pressure, travel, and team environments.
“At the same time, the introduction of several new players has added fresh energy and momentum to the team.
All have earned their selection through consistent performances across the year, and the group is excited to represent WA to the best of their abilities.”
All 10 players will warm up for the Interstate Series by competing at the Australian Junior Amateur Championships at Ballarat Golf Club from April 7-10. The WA state coaches for the series are Jess Speechley and Luke Gerrard.
WA Junior Interstate Series Team
Girls (from left): Halia Edwards, Kortni Houston, Isabella Leniartek, Katie Seol, Meihui Zhao
Boys (from left): Mason Burr, Spencer Harrison, Nate Johnson, Declan Pereira, Thomas Pyke
Keep up with the latest WA golf news news via the GolfWA news section and our Facebook and Insta accounts. You can also subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter here.
