Four titles remain at home in the Estonian Junior Open
A total of 142 young players, matching last year’s record and representing nine different countries, competed over three days in varying weather conditions at the Estonian Golf & Country Club in the Estonian Junior Open. The competition featured ten different age categories.
In the oldest boys’ age category (U21), the victory went to home-course player Ruut Kangust. His rounds were 76, 76, 77 (+13), giving him his second consecutive win in this category. Four shots behind was Aivar Paalberg Jr (Rae Golf Club), and third place went to Santtu Tiusanen (Vierumäen Golfseura), who was just one shot behind second place. Results
In the boys’ U18 category, Noah Gratil (Royal Malta Golf Club) dominated with an even-par total (71, 73, 72). The Belgian player won the U16 category on the same course two years ago but finished fourth in U16 last year. Nine shots back were Rassel Orumägi (Estonian Golf & Country Club) and Hart Oskar Aoveer (Rae Golf Club), who finished second and third respectively. Orumägi secured silver thanks to a better final two-day score. Results
The WAGR U21/U18 title therefore went to Gratil. As he was already listed in the ranking, no new WAGR players were added from this category. Results
In the oldest girls’ age category (U21), Danielle Truusa took advantage of her home course, winning with +13 (78, 73, 78). Isabel Sirel (Estonian Golf & Country Club) finished second and Annika Koni (Tartu Golf Club) third. Both had +45 totals, with the final 36-hole score breaking the tie. Results
In the girls’ U18 category, Katrina Bulkovska (WAGR 240) showed her class, shooting the best round of the day, 68 (-4), on the final day for a +2 total (76, 74, 68). Having won the U16 category in each of the previous two years, this marked her third straight title. A Latvian 1–2 finish was secured by Liliana Krole (both Ozo Golf Club), 16 shots behind. Just one shot further back was Annika Kalvet (Niitvälja Golf Club), who had an impressive 74 on the last day. Results
The WAGR U21/U18 title thus went to Bulkovska, who also had the highest WAGR ranking of the entire tournament. Results
No Estonians reached the top three in the boys’ U16 category. The top two spots went to Finnish players, with Alex Westerholm (Tapiola Golf) winning at -3 (69, 73, 71). Lukas Sovijärvi (Nurmijärven Golf Club) was six shots back, and Jayden Park (Ozo Golf Club, South Korea) took third at +9. Results
In the boys’ U14 category, none of the podium spots stayed at home. Dominykas Petkevičius (Wolf Golf Club, Lithuania) secured a one-shot victory thanks to an eagle on the final hole, finishing +11 (75, 77, 77). Second and third places went to Finland’s Jalo Särmäkari (Sarfvik Golf Club ry) at +12 and Alvar Äijälä (Helsinki Golf Club) at +14. Results
With his win, Westerholm also entered the WAGR ranking in the U16/14 category. Results
In the girls’ U16 category, the podium was entirely Estonian. Iiris Mätas (Rae Golf Club) improved on last year’s second place to win with -5 (72, 69, 70). Kristella Sikk (Niitvälja Golf Club) also shot 70 on the final day, finishing five shots behind. Last year, Sikk won the U14 category, which Mätas had claimed the year before. This time, Kirke Kiige (Rae Golf Club), a two-time Estonian adult champion this year, finished third at +10. Results
In the girls’ U14 category, Keita Dzirniece (Ozo Golf Club) was in a class of her own, winning at +22 (83, 78, 77). Nora Marleen Animägi (Estonian Golf & Country Club) was 16 shots behind but two shots ahead of Ance Ermasone (Ozo Golf Club). Two years ago, Dzirniece won the U12 category here, but last year she placed fourth in U14. Results
The WAGR U16/14 title went to Mätas, who is expected to make a significant climb in the rankings. Results
In the boys’ U12 category, two of the top three spots stayed at home. Lui Saat (Rae Golf Club) won decisively with 79, 75 (+10). Miroslavs Bogdanovs (Ozo Golf Club) was nine shots back, followed two shots later by Robert Uusküla (Estonian Golf & Country Club). Results
In the girls’ U12 category, the podium featured players from three different countries. Lotta Krasta (Jurmala Golf Club) won with rounds of 94 and 93. Eight shots back was Rosanna Veskimeister (Rae Golf Club), and two shots behind her was Olivia Ahlgren (Pickala Golf Club). Results
Photo galleries of the competition: day 1, day 2, day 3 (photographer Raul Mee).
