Championship golf returned this week with the South Australian Country Junior Championship, hosted by the very welcoming Barossa Valley Golf Club, marking the recommencement of Golf Australia events within SA following the Covid-19 stoppage. Shakira-Ann Kuys, from Port Augusta Golf Club, was on the hunt to make it back-to-back wins in the girl’s championship in her final year as a Junior. Kuys, who turns 18 in November, started slow in round one shooting a 7-over par before returning a 2-over par in round two. Going into the final round on Thursday, Kuys held a six-shot lead over Armani Marsters from Murray Bridge Golf Club before winning with a final round 5-over par. Marsters, who celebrated her 15th birthday on Thursday, had held early honours after round one but stumbled during round two with an 8-over par making it a too greater deficit to claw back. In the Boys Championship, Jaxon Jones from the neighbouring Tanunda Pines Golf Club dominated right from the get-go. After shooting an opening round of 1-under par, Jones held his nerve with a steady second round 2-over par. Jones, who also holds a dual membership at Barossa Valley Golf Club, displayed more dominance in round three firing another 2-over par in perfectly still conditions. For the first time, the Championship also included a 54-hole stableford event for players on a handicap of GA 18.0 and above. Southern District Junior, Summer Thomas from Willunga Golf Club, playing off a handicap of 39, took out the girls event recording rounds of 32 points, followed by a stunning 45 points in round two and a solid 39 points to finish off the tournament. In the boys stableford event, Thomas Quinton from Clare Golf Club in the Mid North District displayed talents exceeding his 42 handicap, with rounds of 39 points, a superb battle of the sexes style 45 points matching that of Summer in round two and a closing round of 40 points. In the District Teams event, Mid North District proved local knowledge winning the trophy ahead of the South East District. Leaderboard – Click Here