Defending Boys Champion Eddie Ward will be back to defend his title after a stellar year that saw him win the inaugural Travis Smyth Scholarship in 2019.

Ward used the 2018 Kiama Junior Open as a springboard to some great results, taking out 4th Place at the Prestigious Jack Newton Junior Golf Champions Trophy held at the Bonville Golf Resort.

Ward will not have an easy title defense with the Illawarra Academy of Sport - 2018/2019 Golf Athlete of the Year Recipient, Ethan Harvey hot on his heels. Harvey is having a breakout year and would love to add another title to his growing resume.

Concord Golf Club member and local superstar, Bradley Wills has made his mark in 2019 by winning the Australian Age Division Title on the Gold Coast in April. Wills can look to draw confidence and experience from the win, two key attributes needed to win around the demanding Kiama course.

Defending Kiama Junior Girls Open Champion Charlotte Perkins may look to return and fight to keep the trophy in the Perkins' house after edging out her sister Sofia last year for the crown. However, the race for the title may not be a Perkins showdown this year.

The 2019 Illawarra Junior Masters held at Kiama Golf and The Links Shell Cove saw 36 young ladies compete for the title and as a result, the girl's championship may well be hotly contested in 2019.

The Par 66 Championship layout has benefited tremendously from the recent rain.

"The course is looking great and the playing surfaces should only continue to improve as Superintendent Mark Yates and his teams continue to work hard," Ward said.

The event will be played over 18 holes and is open to boys and girls under the age of 18.

Additionally, the event will be part of the 2019 Touchdown Helicopters - Illawarra Junior Open Series which is currently led by Eddie Ward (St Micheals Golf Club), Noah Graham (Camden Golf Club) and Selena Bosevski (The Lakes) in their respective age divisions.