JACOB Dundas is driving the ball further than he ever has, but coach and Toronto club professional Darren Green believes the 16-year-old's control and consistency have been the keys to his rise.
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Dundas was last week named in the NSW junior team for the interstate series at Queanbeyan Golf Club from April 20-23.
The right-hander, who is Green's nephew, was in the NSW development squad last season and has been rewarded for a series of strong results, including qualifying for matchplay at the NSW Amateur and Australian Amateur.
"Jake has always had a good mentality," Green said. "He has grown a little in the past 12 months and is hitting the ball further. A lot of guys, as they get stronger, all they worry about is smashing it. They start to lose a bit of control but he is good that way.
"Technically he is pretty good. With the extra length, it is much easier going in with an eight iron than a five iron. That helps. He is a good putter and is just more consistent than he used to be."
Dundas set NSW selection as a goal at the start of the year and said the experienced he gained at the NSW and Australian Amateur would put him in good stead for the interstate series.
"Playing against quality players in matchplay and seeing how they play, learning off them, will make matchplay easier for me," Dundas said.
Dundas is a member at Toronto but has also joined Mona Vale and made his debut in their A-Grade pennants team on Sunday against Bankstown, winning his match two-and-one.
As well as Bankstown, St Michael's and Avondale are in their pool.
"I'm looking forward to playing on good courses against quality players," he said.
As well as golf, Dundas is a handy soccer player. He played for Edgeworth last season but has joined Toronto-Awaba for 2020.
"It's good to have a bit fun on the soccer field," he said. "It helps with my fitness as well."
Joining Dundas in the NSW Junior team is Newcastle 17-year-old Josh Robards, who helped lead NSW to victory at Sanctuary Cove last year.
The interstate teams matches follow the Australian Junior Championships which will be held at Gold Creek Country Club from April 15.
** Gary Stimson produced one of his best round to win the prestigious Toronto Bowl on Saturday. The 16-handicapper finished with a nett 65 to win on a countback from Troy McAllister.
Craig Avery fired a four-under 67 to win the scratch section by a stroke from pennants teammate Josh Greenwood.
** Defending champions Merewether made the most of home-ground advantage to inflict a stunning 7-1 win over Toronto on Sunday and remain the only team undefeated team after two rounds of the division one A-Grade pennants.
Six of the eight games went to the final hole, but two halves was the best Toronto could muster.
Robert Smythe finished square with David Cook and Josh Greenwood and Lochie Cairns were also tied.
For Merewether, Matt Lister, Craig Jones, Mick Coutman and Andy Piggott all won one-up.
In other matches, Luke Ferrier, Scott Telfer, Blake Glennie and Tom De Wit led Newcastle to a crushing 7-1 won over Waratah.
Charlestown opened their account with a hard-fought win over Belmont 5-3. Mick Wade, Dan Hooker, Tim Meek, Jordyn Ward and Scott Foreman were their winners.
Round three is being played at Belmont on Sunday. Merewether take on the hosts, Waratah are up against fierce rivals Toronto and Charlestown meet Newcastle.
** Harry Atkinson (Charlestwon) and Josh Robards (Newcastle) continued their strong recent form, finishing equal third at the Wagga Wagga Junior Masters last weekend.
Atkinson carded rounds of 71,74 and Robards had 73,72 to be at one-over and a shot behind Jeff Pullen (St Michaels) and Seb Sara (NSW GC).
Atkinson won the 12-13 years division by four strokes.
** Cal O'Reilly will take confidence into the Queensland Open at Pelican Waters starting Thursday after his first top-ten in a tour event in more than 12 months.
O'Reilly, who will play on the Japan Challenge Tour this year, carded rounds of 66,66,68,71 to be at nine-under and tied for 10th at the Queensland PGA on Sunday.
Andrew Dodt was the best of the Hunter contingent, tied for seventh at 10 under.
Jamie Hook, who is the head pro at Pacific Dunes and plays part-time on the tour, shot into contention with a 64 on Saturday before finishing in a tie for 14th at eight-under.
James Nitties (71,65,68,70) finished 23rd and had his best week since finishing 11th at the same event last year.
Aaron Townsend (68,66,67,73) was alongside Nitties at six-under.
Nathan Green got hot on Friday with a 64.
The $135,000 Queensland Open is the final Australasian event in Australia for the summer and O'Reilly will be joined by Nitties, Townswend, Jake Higginbottom, Dylan Perry, Blake Windred and amateur Corey Lamb.
