South Coast Golf Success for Somerset

Four Somerset students qualified for the South Coast trials held at Windaroo Lakes last week; Flynn Carter, Justin Hammett, Sarah Hammett and David Hammett. Qualification is based on handicap and restricted to the lowest 12 handicaps (+ ties) in the 13 to 18 year old category and the lowest six handicaps (+ ties) in the 10 to 12 year old category.

Windaroo Lakes is a Par 72 course and boasts one of Australia’s hardest Par Fours, the 437m double water carry 16th hole, known as Snake Gully.

Flynn Carter (10 to 12) boys and Sarah Hammett (12 to 18) girls both qualified for the State Championships to be held in Cairns in April with Sarah shooting a remarkable three under par 69 for the low round of the day of all competitors. Justin and David missed out this year - but I am sure they will be back.

Flynn, who plays off a 10 handicap and is a member of Royal Pines Golf Club, has had many early successes in his golfing career culminating as captain of the Australian team in last year’s Trans-Tasman Cup versus New Zealand, which Australia won. Last month he was the winner of the Australian Open US Kids, 11 year old boys shooting rounds of 76 and 72.

The Hammett family also have a remarkable golfing pedigree; Mum, Dad, Justin, Sarah, David and Katie are all keen golfers and members of Emerald Lakes Golf Club. The three eldest all have low handicaps with Justin and Sarah both off one and David, off 11. Katie who is the youngest (age nine) is now playing in nine hole junior competitions. She won her first tournament on Sunday in the Ocean Shores Junior Classic.

Justin, Sarah and David were all members of the Emerald lakes Interclub team which two weeks ago won the Gold Coast District Junior pennants series (winning the final against Royal Pines). Justin has just been selected to represent the club in the District Open Division 1 Pennant series.

Justin and Sarah have won the Queensland schools U12 State Championships in consecutive years which is believed to be the first time a brother and sister have won the title. Justin and Sarah have both represented the Queensland team at the U12 National Schools event and all three (Justin, Sarah and David), have represented South Coast district at State trials previously.

Justin won the Jack Newton International sub Junior Classic in October 2019, and Sarah won the Girls 12 years age division, and was Girls overall runner up in the same tournament. This is one of Australia’s biggest junior tournaments with players from across Australia as well as some international players.

The Hammett children are all very supportive of each other but there is obviously some healthy family rivalry as they push each other on. There is also the obvious handicap rivalry. Justin’s best score to date has been 66 (-6), Sarah’s best score so far is 69 (-3) while David’s current best is 79 (7 over par).

Congratulations to all these golfers and good luck to Flynn and Sarah for the State Championships in April.