2023 & 2024 Golfer of the Year - Cooper Moore

Hello Eagles Members,

Firstly I wanted to take this opportunity to once again thank you all for supporting me with my golf. 

It's been a few months since I was awarded Eagles Junior Golfer of the Year so I would like to give you an update on what I have been up to. 

Australian Junior Amatuer Championship - in April I travelled to Brisbane for the Australian Junior Amatuer tournament which was played at the Indooroopilly Golf Club. This was a very tight course which suitaed my game, heading into the last round I was 6 shots behind the lead. I started the final round well and clawed my way back into contention and then heading into the back nine I managed to shoot 3 under par to finish the round at 5 under par total and in a tie for the lead.

I went into a playoff with New South Welshman Cooper Giddens, we both made par on the first two play off holes and then on the 3rd play off hole I short sided myself in the greenside bunker and I thought I had blown my chance to win but I just told myself to relax, breath and focus on the next shot which I did and played probably one of the best bunker shots of my life sinking it for birdie and winning the championship.

Asia Pacific Junior Championship - In May I went to Hong Kong to play in the Asia Pacific Junior Championship, this was another great experience and my story is very similar to the Australian tournament only this time I entered the back nine on the final round five shots behind the leader after not playing my best on the front nine. I just told myself to stay patient and I had played some of my best golf all week on the back nine. The weather was horrible with torrential rain so I just hoped the leaders may struggle on the back nine which they did and I played the last nine holes 4 under par for a two shot victory which was very special to win my second international event of the year.

US Junior Amatuer - In July I went to Dallas Texas for the US Junior Amatuer which was played over two courses, Brook Hollow and Trinity Forest. This was an amazing experience, the course set ups are nothing like I have experienced and the quality of the field was very good, and also included Charlie Woods (Tiger's son) and Cameron Kutcher (Matt's son)

This is a very cut throat event, there are 264 players and you play two stroke rounds and then the top 64 players advance to sudden death match-play. Unfortunately I missed the cut after rounds of 76 & 74. I played very well from tee to green but struggled on the greens with the speed and undulation. I learnt a lot on this trip and I know what I need to work on to be more competitive next year.

One of the highlights off the course was attending the JFK Assination Tour and visiting the sixth floor museum at Dealey Plaza.

Eisenhower - over the last week I was named in the Men's Eisenhower Team to compete at the World Teams Championship in Singapore in October. Being named was a very special moment for myself and my family. I know New Zealand has a great history in the Eisenhower tournament and to join the list of great New Zealand golfers to wear the fern at this event is something I'm really looking forward to. 

Thank you again for your support.

Cheers, Cooper

2021 Golfer of the Year – Alex Prentice

“Achieving big things overseas is Alec Prentice who was announced this week as “The Big South Conference, Freshman Golfer of the Year”.  In his first season on scholarship, Alec has been a regular in his Universities Div 1 golf team and has earned the title of “Freshman of the Week” on three occasions and finished with a victory at the Big South Preview finishing with an impressive six under par.  

Reflecting on Alec’s achievements, his Head Coach had this to say, “Alec has had a special year filled with memorable moments.  There is no doubt he’s still growing as a golfer and will use his talents to be an even stronger competitor next year.  I’m incredibly proud of him”. “

2022 Golfer of the Year -Zac Swanwick

Since last report Zac won the Bledisloe Cup as leading amateuer at the NZ Open at Millbrook. A week later he finsihed 16th at the NZ PGA at Hastings. A quick plan trip the following week to the USA saw him tee up at the prestigious Sage Valley Invitational in Georgia. This event features 36 leading world juniors boys and 24 of the leading girls. Previous winners have included Jaoquin Niemann, Austin Ackroat and Scottie Scheffler. Zac finished in 31st place. The winner Giovanni Binaghi from Italy won with a score of -11.

2023 Golfer of the Year- Cooper Moore

On April 6th I flew out to Perth with the New Zealand Junior Squad to play in the Australian Junior Amateur. This tournament is for the top 75 players in Australia 18 years old and under along with 4 players from NZ.

This is the first time I have been to Perth and I really enjoyed the experience, the tournament was held at Gosnells Golf Club which was about 30 minutes from the city, the course was very tight with all fairways tree lined and undulating with large bunkers and water around the greens.

Over the four days of the tournament I played ok, but just struggled a little with my irons, I shot rounds 70, 74, 67, 73 to finish 12th overall and runner up in the U16 division.

I flew home from Perth and then two days later I left for Japan to play in the Royal Japan Junior Open, this tournament is for players in the Asia Pacific region and I received an invite based on my World Amateur Ranking.

The course was 90 minutes east of Tokyo in a place called Hokota City, all of the players in the tournament were taken by bus to our accomodation where we received an official welcome. 

The golf course was world class and an absolute beast playing at 8007yds which is the longest course in Japan.

Given the length of the course I didn't have high expectations as hitting the ball long off the tee is not one of my strengths however I surprised myself and in the second round I shot a 3 under par 69 and was the only player in the field over the first two days to shoot under par.

I went into the third and final round in a tie for the lead and I was confident that a consistent round would give me a good chance of claiming victory, however golf can throw you lots of challenges at times and I struggled with my putter all day and probably found myself trying too hard and not sticking to my process. I finished 10th overall which I was a little disappointed with as I put myself in a position to win, however on reflection against some world class players who are mostly a couple of years older than me 10th place was a solid result.

This trip also tested my fitness and recovery processes as we would leave for the golf course everyday at 5:30am and return at 6pm at night. 

A highlight off the course was the free buffett we had everyday at the golf club where I really enjoyed the steak on rice. I also got to meet and chat with All Blacks Captain Sam Cane who was on my flight over to Japan.

I now have a few weeks off and then I will start preparing for the Queensland Junior Amatuer at the end of June and then I have received an invite based on my world amateur ranking to play in the  Royal and Ancient Junior Open in Scotland in the middle of July which I'm really excited about as I also get to attend the 152nd Open Championship and get to watch many of my idols such as Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and hopefully Tiger Woods.