Elite Field Set to Descend on Latrobe Valley for 2026
Gippsland Junior Golf Championship
LATROBE VALLEY, VIC – The future stars of Australian golf are headed to the heart of
Gippsland as the 2026 Gippsland Junior Golf Championship prepares to tee off on January
22-23, 2026. This year’s event marks a significant milestone, featuring a massive field of 103
players and, for the first time, carrying prestigious World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR)
status.
The 54-hole championship will showcase the region’s premier layouts, beginning at the
Yallourn Golf Club before concluding its final rounds at the Morwell Golf Club. Players from
across Victoria—representing iconic clubs from the Melbourne Sandbelt to the Surf Coast—will
compete in both Gross and Net divisions across Boys and Girls championships.
A Premier Regional Showcase
By bringing over 100 of the state’s best young golfers to the Latrobe Valley, the championship
highlights the quality of regional Victorian golf. Yallourn Golf Club, known for its challenging
layout and manicured Santa Ana couch fairways, provides a stern opening test. The drama will
reach its peak at Morwell Golf Club, where the undulating fairways and fast greens will
demand precision through the final 27 holes.
Players to Watch: Girls Championship
The Girls division features an incredibly deep talent pool, led by several players with “plus”
handicaps, indicating they consistently score better than par.
● Cheuk Kiu Kan (Huntingdale GC, +3.6): The top-seeded player in the field, Kan brings
the prestige of the world-famous Huntingdale to the valley.
● Nicolette Papadatos (Medway GC, +2.7): A consistent performer on the junior circuit,
Papadatos is expected to be a major contender for the Gross title.
● Jaehee Yun (Southern GC, +2.5): Representing Southern, Yun is part of a strong
contingent from the Melbourne metropolitan area.
● Sakura Yoshizawa (Commonwealth GC, +0.6): Hailing from one of the Sandbelt’s
finest, Yoshizawa’s tactical game will be well-suited to the Gippsland terrain.
● Defending Champion Vivian Zhai Yarra Yarra Golf Club
Players to Watch: Boys Championship
The Boys division is equally competitive, with a field packed with sub-par handicappers eager to
secure WAGR points.
● Christopher Filipowicz (Geelong GC, +2.7): Leading the charge from the west,
Filipowicz enters as a favorite.
● Phoenix Diaz (Peninsula-Kingswood, +2.6): Representing one of Australia’s most elite
clubs, Diaz brings a high-level pedigree to the event.
● Thomas Spottiswood (Kooringal GC, +2.1): Known for his ball-striking, Spottiswood is
a name to watch as the pressure mounts on day two.
● Local Threats: A strong group from Yarra Yarra Golf Club, including Kirk Kryskow
(+0.6), David Zhu (+0.2), and Lucas Man (0.9), will be looking to dominate the
leaderboard. Defending Champion Rehan Pervaiz Peninsula Kingswoods Golf Club
Event Schedule
● January 22: Round 1 at Yallourn Golf Club 27 holes
● January 23: Round 2 at Morwell Golf Club 27 holes
● Format: 54-Hole Stroke Play (WAGR Rated)
● Field Size: 103 Players
● 8 AM START
“We are thrilled to welcome such a high-caliber field to Gippsland,” said Paul Buchanan. “The
transition to a World Ranking event is a testament to the quality of our local courses and the
growing importance of regional tournaments in the national golf pathway.”
For more information, live scoring, and results, please contact the host clubs or