News - Nomads Sydney North

2025 NEWS

ANNUAL SYDNEY CLUB CHALLENGE - MAY 2025

Victorious Norths Captain, Ryan van der Walt (right) receives the Sydney Club Challenge Shield from Nomads Golf Australia's Honorary Life Member, Johan Landberg at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort. Looking on is Souths Captain, Kevin Adler.

Sydney North beat Sydney South 6.0 to 3.0 and in the overall standings Norths now lead 8-5.

RIVERSIDE OAKS WINNERS PHOTOS - 25 MAY 2025
(Click on photo to reveal the winner's details)

RIVERSIDE OAKS WINNERS - 25 MAY 2025

40 CLUB - 13 APRIL 2025 - LONG REEF

At Long Reef Golf Club, Michael Smith (right), scored his 3rd 40 pointer to go with his first at Riverside Oaks (Dec 2018) and second at Long Reef (24 July 2022 scoring 40 points).

Long Reef has now twenty one 40 pointers, behind Riverside Oaks Gangurru with 25.

LONG REEF WINNERS PHOTOS - 13 APRIL 2025
(Click on photo to reveal the winner's details)

LONG REEF WINNERS - 13 APRIL 2025

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.

WAKEHURST WINNERS PHOTOS - 16 MARCH 2025
(Click on photo to reveal the winner's details)

WAKEHURST WINNERS - 16 MARCH 2025

Bertus Fick getting his 5-year tie

February Inductee - Jacques Steyn

RIVERSIDE OAKS WINNERS PHOTOS - 23 FEB 2025
(Click on photo to reveal the winner's details)

RIVERSIDE OAKS WINNERS - 23 FEBRUARY 2025

MONA VALE WINNERS PHOTOS - 19 JANUARY 2025
(Click on photo to reveal the winner's details)

MONA VALE PRIZE WINNERS - 19 JANUARY 2025

2025 GAME SCHEDULE

This year we play three times at Wakehurst and Riverside Oak, including the Norths v Souths in May 2025, twice at Long Reef and Mona Vale, and once at Bayview and Lynwood.

Nomads Sydney North will be hosting the 15th Nomads National Tournament at Cypress Lakes (Hunter Valley) from 24-25 October 2025.

2025 NOMADS GOLF CLUB (SYDNEY NORTH) COMMITTEE

In-coming 2025 Captain, Ryan van der Walt, introduced his Committee for 2025. We have one new face on the Committee this year, Jurgens Snyman who takes on the role of Club Secretary, game draws and match day scoring.

From Left: Rouan Snyman, Bertus Fick, Martin van Eeden, Damon Cornish, Deon Deetlefs, Captain Ryan van der Walt and Mark Howard-Browne