PORT ELIZABETH, 2 February 2015 – Western Province amateur Ian Snyman lifted the Eastern Province/Border Stroke Play title, while Gauteng North’s top amateurs enjoyed a strong showing at Port Elizabeth Golf Club ahead of the SA Stroke Play this week.
Snyman defeated reigning Carrick Neil Scottish Open champion Gavin Moynihan with a perfectly timed flop-shot to end a dramatic four-hole play-off after both players tied on 10-under-par 206 in regulation play.
Reigning SA Stroke Play champion Jason Smith opened with a 68 to lag one off the pace from Moynihan in the first round, but slipped from contention with a second round 73. However, the TuksSport Golf Academy player rallied with a final round 70 to claim a share of fourth on five under 211 with North West Province’s Aubrey Beckley.
Fresh off a victory in the two-day Test against France at St Francis Links, top junior Keegan de Lange carded rounds of 72, 73 and 68 to claim a share of ninth with Ireland’s Gary Hurley and SA junior team-mate Herman Loubser from Boland.
Fellow Pretoria Country Club player James du Preez posted rounds of 73, 71 and 71 to tie for 11th on one under 215 with Southern Cape’s Jade Buitendag and Irishman Jack Hume.
Teaghan Gauche from Wingate Country Club rounded out the top 20 with rounds of 74, 71 and 73.
FINAL RESULT (Top 20)
206 Ian Snynan 68 69 69 (fourth play-off hole)
206 Gavin Moynihan IRE 67 73 66
210 Gerlou Roux 72 71 67
211 Jason Smith 68 73 70; Aubrey Beckley 72 69 70
212 Andre Nel 69 71 72; Luke Trocado 69 75 68; Tristen Strydom 72 72 68
213 Gary Hurley IRE 69 70 74; Herman Loubser 73 70 70; Keegan de Lange 72 73 68
214 Jovan Rebula 72 72 70
215 James du Preez 73 71 71; Jack Hume IRE 71 75 69; Jade Buitendag 73 73 69
216 Sean Bradley 71 74 71; Romain Langasque FRA 73 72 71; Cormac Sharvin IRE 74 73 69
217 Ugo Coussard FRA 72 73 72
218 Teaghan Gauche 74 71 73; Rupert Kaminski 72 78 68
PHOTO – Reigning SA Stroke Play champion Jason Smith; credit Dale Boyce