The stage is set and the inaugural ANNIKA Invitational Australasia is ready to begin with the first round starting tomorrow. It is the first ANNIKA Invitational to be played in the region, joining the global circuit of ANNIKA girls’ tournaments held on four other continents – North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The top-three finishers in the ANNIKA Invitational Australasia will earn exemptions into the ANNIKA Invitational USA presented by Rolex at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. (Jan. 18-21, 2019).
The 54-hole, stroke-play event is welcoming participants ages 12-18 from as far away as South Korea. With fifty players in the field, it is highlighted by a number of the region’s best juniors including New Zealand’s Juliana Hung, Yuka Saso of the Philippines and 2018 Australia Order of Merit Winner, Grace Kim. All three competitors participated in the 2018 Youth Olympics just a few months ago with Kim taking home the gold medal.
Also competing this week are Kiwis Silvia Brunotti and Vivian Lu. Brunotti won the 2017 New Zealand Amateur Championship, with Lu recently claiming the title this past October. Both players are ranked in the top-10 of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
As always, to incorporate our “More Than Golf” slogan, the tournament play will be complemented by a gala dinner for the players, a workshop with 17-year-old Maddison McQueen-Davies who recently won the 2018 Young Leader of the Year at the Women’s Influence Awards, and a clinic with Annika.
The first round will begin at 8:00 am NZST. For round one pairings and tee times, click here.