FURTHERANCE OF GOLF 2025
Captain Ryan van der Walt announced, at Wakehurst Golf Club on Sunday 16th March 2025, that the Nomads Sydney North Scholarship Recipients for 2025 were Shaylon Bennett and Kiara Connolly-Jackson.
Each year, in conjunction with the General Manager of Jack Newton Junior Golf, Dale Hughes, deserving juniors are identified and are put forward by JNJG to the Nomads Sydney North Committee for consideration.
On Sunday 16 March 2025, at Wakehurst Golf Club, Sydney North Captain, Ryan van der Walt, was pleased to announce that the Jack Newton Junior Golf Scholarship recipients for 2025 were Shaylan Bennett and Kiara Connolly-Jackson.
Shaylan's Mum, Sam was in attendance as was Helen, Kiara's Mum.
A cheque of $6,000 was handed over to JNJG to administer, on behalf of Shaylan and Kiara, and this will be used to assist them in meeting some of the costs in getting to tournaments around NSW.
Here is a little information of each of our Scholarship Recipients for 2025:
Shaylan Bennett
- 15 Years Old
- Everglades CC / Avondale GC
- Handicap +2
Achievements
- 2024 Everglades CC Club Champion
- 2024 Greg Chalmers JM Champion
- 2024 Central Coast Academy of Sport Athlete of the Year
- 2025 Blue Mountains JM Champion
- 2025 NSWCCC Team Member
- 2025 NSW Champion of Champions - 4th Place
- 2025 NSW Amateur Championship - Matchplay Qualifier, eventually losing to Champion Declan O'Donovan in the Round of 16
Shaylan has been hitting golf balls from a young age but only started taking golf seriously in 2022. His father, Scott Bennett, a PGA professional, has been coaching him his whole life. He currently hold a +2 handicap and has ambitions to play college golf in America.
He enjoys competing in junior tournaments but especially adult events, particularly Vardon events, where he challenges himself against experienced adult players. This year, Shaylan plans to participate in more tournaments to further develop his game.
Before golf became his main focus, he spent seven years in nippers, competing at regional and state levels in board, swimming, and Ironman events. he also competed in high-level indoor swimming and continue to train with the top squad at his local leisure center to maintain his golf fitness. Additionally, Shaylan has played in rugby union and soccer teams and enjoys surfing with his mates.
Kiara Connolly-Jackson
- 16 Years Old
- Kooindah Waters GC / Avondale GC
- Handicap +2
Achievements
- 2023 JNJG Most Improved Junior Girl
- 2023 / 2024 Wyong GC Club Champion
- 2024 Kooindah Waters GC Club Champion
- 2024 JNJG Master of the Masters
- 2024 South Coast Junior Masters Champion
- 2024 Greg Chalmers Junior Masters Champion
- 2025 NSWCCC Team Member
- 2025 NSW Junior Interstate Team Member
- 2025 JNJG Elite Squad Member
Kiara has been playing golf for eight years, but she started taking it more seriously in recent years. Her coach, Zach Churcher, a teaching professional, has been guiding her for the past three years. When she first started working with him, her handicap was 15, and she has since improved to +2.3. Before Zach, Kiara was mostly self-taught with occasional guidance from professionals at Wyong Golf Club.
She began my golf journey at Wyong Golf Club on the Central Coast but later moved to Kooindah Waters Golf Club to take on a greater challenge. Kiara started competing in Jack Newton Junior Golf tournaments at age 12 and has developed significantly as a player since then.
Looking ahead, Kiara aims to compete in more elite tournaments, including Jean Derrin events, Next Gen competitions, and high-level amateur tournaments, to continue progressing in her golf career.
Shaylon and Kiara, we look forward to your development with JNJG and hope you have a lot of fun while growing in the game of golf.
