Junior Open – only two first places were left at home
On the one hand, one could read from the headline that the Estonians did modestly well in their home tournament. In fact, when you get down to it, in some ways the opposite is true. It was the most international Junior Open ever, with more guest players than Estonians for the first time! In total, there were 117 young players on the starting list. But first things first.
Young men U21
Title winner Markus Varjun won with a final score of -7 (71, 67, 71). His 67 on the second day is a new record for the Rae Golf Course after the opening of two new greens last year. The previous record stood for exactly one day, when Kevin Christopher Jegers shot 68 on the opening day, followed by 68 on the second day and 74 on the third in very windy conditions. All in all, a logical loss for Jegers to a good friend. Third place goes to Carl Hellat who shot +8 (73, 79, 72). All the players are from Niitvälja Golf Club and all three are also the recipients of their respective Estonian Championship medals. Results
Ladies U21
Katrina Jana Gustafssone (Golfs Viesturi) was the winner with a three-day score of +3 (76, 68, 75). 68 is also a new record for the women’s tees (blue). Second was Anete Liis Adul (Estonian Golf & Country Club), who won the gold medal of the Estonian Championship. Adul’s three-day score was +8 (77, 73, 74), just one shot off her personal best. Third place and the Estonian MV silver medal went to Karola Soe (Saaremaa Golf & Country Club) with a score of +22 (86, 77, 75). Results
Young men U18
In the under-18 boys’ age group, a furious battle went down to the last lap and the top five finally managed to finish within four shots. Victory this year belonged to Francis Gavarsi (Ozo Golf Club), who carded a final score of +8 (75, 75, 74). Second place went to Finland, with Joel Talusen (Tuusulan Golfklubi) just one shot better at +9 (73, 75, 77). The third place prize was taken by Deivydas Ražinskas of Lithuania with a score of +10 (74, 75, 77). Results
Boys U18
Both first places in the under-18 age group went to the same family this year as Marlena Gavare (Ozo Golf Club) was the winner in the ladies’ age group. The Latvian had rounds of 71, 76, 77 (+8 in total). Second and third place this time belongs to the Finns. Emilia Leppänen (Karelia Golf), lost to the winner by three strokes. Third was Elli Schroderus (Nevas Golf). Results
Young men U16
In the boys’ under-16 age group, the Finns did a clean job. First place went to Alex Laine (Golf Pirkkala) with a score of +8. Winning rounds were 74, 73, 77. Neo-Niku Hiltunen (Nurmijärven Golfklubi) lost by only one stroke, who shot 70 on the last day despite the difficult weather. Third was Roni Uusitalo (Golf Pirkkala) with a score of +17. Results
Girls U16
The top three in the under-16 girls’ competition also come from Finland. Essi Ekholm (Vaasan Golf) played to a final score of +3 (70, 74, 75). Aino Kiiskilä (Oulun Golfkerho ry) carded +9 (74, 76, 75). Third place this time for Sandra Palin (Helsingin Golfklubi). Results
Boys U14
In the boys’ under-14 age group, the top two places went to the Finns. Migel Mutikainen (Pickala Golf Club) shot a total of +14 (76, 78, 76). He lost by just one stroke to clubmate Robin Suomi. Third place and the gold medal of the Estonian Championship belongs to Hart Oskar Aoveer (Niitvälja Golf Club), who shot +17. Results
Girls U14
In the girls’ U14 age group, the best two were from Ireland. The winner on this occasion was Iiris Aht (Nordcenter Golf & CC) with a score of +26 (83, 80, 79). Three strokes behind her was Iiris Mätas (Rae Golfiklubi), who won the gold medal of the Estonian Championship. Only Liliana Krole (Ozo Golf Club) lost by one stroke. Results
Boys U12
Marcus Latt (Niitvälja Golf Club) was the winner in the youngest boys’ age group, which was played over two days. Latt’s rounds were 77 and 84. Lukas Sovijärvi (Nurmijärven Golfklubi) lost by just one stroke in a tight final battle. Third place, however, went to Lithuania, with Julius Martinaitis (European Centre Golf Club) losing second place by five strokes. Results
Girls U12
Victory in the youngest girls’ age group went to Lithuania. The winner of the 2020 Estonian Junior Open, Patricija Ulozaite (European Centre Golf Club) repeated her victory this year. The opening day’s 78 was a new personal best for the young Lithuanian, beating the previous record by nine strokes! The second place was a fierce battle between Estonia and Finland, where Kristella Sikk (Niitvälja Golfiklubi) finally beat Peppi Uusitalo (Golf Pirkkala) by one stroke. Results
See also the gallery. Photos by Kadri Palta
