That was all that stood between Port Macquarie teenager Ella Scaysbrook and a North Coast Junior Masters title 12 months ago.

So it comes as little surprise the taste of defeat still lingers, but it will provide added motivation when she tees off at the 2020 event at Kew Country Club this weekend.

The 14-year-old is in good form, having won the club championship at Newcastle Golf Club three weeks ago.

"The competition was very good in Newcastle and it's going to be another step up this weekend," she said.

"I'm happy with how I'm hitting them."

Scaysbrook moved to the front at the club championships in the Hunter with seven rounds remaining and never relinquished the lead.

It was a position she couldn't quite get to at last year's Junior Masters, but the learning curve will be invaluable.

"Each course is different, but down there you've got to hit it straight and make your putts," she said.

"She just played better last year."

The teenager admitted it was easy to focus on her own game out on the course even when the result hung in the balance.

"You don't really know how everyone else is going when you're out there so that makes it easy to focus," she said.

Scaysbrook knows the Kew course layout well and understands what needs to be done to give her the best chance at succeeding.

"You have to hit it straight, but chip a bit closer and make your putts," she said.

While the talented Hastings prodigy is up with the best golfers in her age division, father Nick admitted the competition this weekend will be a step up on what his daughter faced in Newcastle.

"For every one of Ella there are at least two or three that are just as good in her age group," he said.

"But for every tournament she goes to, it's another one she has under her belt which provides her with a bit more confidence."

Claire Shin, Ella Murray and fellow local Vanna Limeburner are the trio the younger will need to keep an eye on.

"She's definitely improved in the last year, but hasn't had too much competition golf this year so hopefully being on a familiar course she should go well.

"Ella didn't do too much wrong last year; the other girl was probably a bit more consistent and didn't make any mistakes."

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