TWO Gladstone golfers have become Australian champions, taking out the Australian Junior Age Division Golf Championships at Capricorn Resort.

Morgan Lewis and Ryan Stitt, both from Gladstone Golf Club, won the three-day tournament for their age groups.

Lewis smashed the competition, holing her last putt to secure a 33-shot victory.

It won her the right to travel to California to compete in the Junior Olympic Games. But Lewis is not going because of her studies.

She will instead continue playing junior open tournaments occasionally around Central Queensland.

Ryan won the Australian tournament by seven shots, a two under par round on the second day giving him an advantage he went on to make the most of on day three.

The difficulty for Stitt is not producing the scores to qualify for a tournament such as this, such is his dedication and hours on the practice range and putting green – committing to making the US journey is more of a challenge.

The 13-year-old would travel with one of his parents, meaning financially the tournament becomes hard to attend, especially being the second trip in a year.

The tournament starts on July 18 at Brookside Golf Club in southern California.

Source http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/gladstone-duo-snares-national-age-honours/2617352/