Golf: Munn joins development squad

Josh Munn. Photo / Paul Estcourt

In-form amateur Josh Munn is among the up-and-coming golfers named in the national development squad.

The Palmerston North 20-year-old broke the course record at Muriwai in winning the Charles Tour event last weekend.

The Srixon squad comprises six men and four women and New Zealand Golf will work closely with them on their long-term development.

"As we saw last week at the Muriwai Open, with the outstanding performance from Munn, the future of New Zealand golf is bright," NZG chief executive Dean Murphy said.

Aucklander Jonathon Ratcliffe and North Harbour's Cameron Jones, both 18, are also in the men's group.

Wellington 14-year-old Julianne Alvarez is the youngest of the 10 and has recently been named in New Zealand's Astor Trophy tournament team to be contested at Fairhaven Golf Club at Lytham St Annes in Lancashire from June 15-19.

Waikato 18-year-old Chantelle Cassidy, also named in the squad yesterday, is another heading to the Astor Trophy, along with teenage hotshots world No1 Lydia Ko and No3 Cecilia Cho and Emily Perry.

The next step for these players is elevation to the Srixon Academy.

"This group needs to keep working hard and pressing their claim to be a part of the academy," Gregg Thorpe, NZG's talent and coach development manager, said.

THE SQUAD

Men
Josh Munn (Manawatu/Wanganui), Tim Leonard (Aorangi South Canterbury), Cameron Jones (North Harbour), Jonathon Ratcliffe (Auckland), Tyler Hodge (Manawatu/Wanganui), Ryan Chisnall (Tasman)

Women
Julianne Alvarez (Wellington), Chantelle Cassidy (Waikato), Caryn Khoo (Auckland), Jesse Hamilton (Auckland)In-form amateur Josh Munn is among 10 up-and-coming golfers named in the national development squad.