Author Archives: Morné

Seniors defend title against Mid-Amateurs

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Mellette Hendrikse with Johan Struwig

The second edition of the Mid-Amateur and Senior Closed was held on the 4th and 5th of June at Bronkhorstspruit Golf Club.

After two rounds of friendly yet competitive golf Mellette Hendrikse won the tournament on a stellar 4 under par 140 strokes. The Akasia CC member shot rounds of one under par 71 and a three under par 69 that led him to edge out his closest competitor Alex van Heerden from Wingate Park Country Club by two strokes. Alex, the best Mid-Amateur finisher, opened with a two over par 74 before signing for a second round 68.

The 2015 edition was held at Services Golf Club where another senior in the form of Gerhard Strydom won both titles. The tournament is scheduled over two days where the players compete over 36 holes in total. 18 Holes are completed on Saturday afternoon and 18 holes on Sunday morning. After the completion of the rounds a customary “braai” serves as catalyst for the members of the different clubs that constitutes the GNGU to interact, meet and make merry.

Unfortunately the player turnout was less than last year, but the mood was upbeat and a strong field competed for the Senior and Mid-Amateur trophies. Bronkhorstspruit Golf Club and its members went out of its way to accommodate the players and the service was exemplary. The golf course is dry due to the little rain the area enjoyed, but its fairways are clearly identifiable and the greens are in great shape. The 2016 champion said: “People generally underestimate the difficulty and quality of the course. It is a good test of golf and the club goes beyond what is expected.”

 

Winners:

Tournament Champion Mellette Hendrikse (140)
and Best Senior:
Best Mid-Amateur Alex van Heerden (142)
Best Super Senior Johan Struwig (156)

Rebula reels in top 15 at St Andrews

2016AASP_AlbertVenter_GNGUST ANDREWS, Scotland (6 June 2016) – South Africa’s top ranked Jovan Rebula enjoyed a top 15 finish in the St Andrews Links Trophy, while Conor O’Rourke from Ireland denied Scottish golfer Sandy Scott a home victory at the famous Old Course on Sunday.
Last week Kyle McClatchie was the lone South African left standing in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship and this time Rebula was the sole survivor.

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SA pack launch St Andrews assault

IMG-20160601-WA0006St Andrews, Scotland (3 June 2016) – South Africa’s Jason Smith, Blake Collyer from Australia and England’s Jack Singh Brar kicked off the 2016 St Andrews Links Trophy in St Andrews, Scotland this morning.

To follow the action of the nine-strong South African pack at the New Course at St Andrews , click HERE.

SA player tee times:
07h00 Jason Smith (Gauteng North); 07h10 Angus Ellis-Cole (Ekurhuleni); 07h30 Albert Venter (Gauteng North); 10h20 Aubrey Beckley (North West); 10h40 Tristen Strydom (Ekurhuleni); 11h50 Kyle McClatchie (Ekurhuleni); 12h20 Andre Nel (Southern Cape); 12h40 James du Preez (Gauteng North); 13h00 Jovan Rebula  (Southern Cape) Continue reading

Smith leads strong SA attack at St Andrews

JasonSmith1_GNGUST ANDREWS, Scotland (2 June 2016) – Former SA Stroke Play champion Jason Smith will lead a nine-strong South African pack against a vast group of international challengers in the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy.

The 72-hole championship tees off at the Home of Golf’s New Course on Friday, with action switching to the famous Old Course for the second round on Saturday.

Based on the strength of the field, the St Andrews Links Trophy is ranked one of the strongest amateur tournaments in the world, and it is arguably one of the strongest championships outside the Amateur Championship in the British Isles. Continue reading

Rebula leads SA onslaught in Scotland

ScottishStrokePlayCollage_GNGUGULLANE, Scotland (27 May 2016) – South Africa’s top ranked Jovan Rebula will lead an 11-strong South African pack against a world-class international field from 12 countries in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship, which tees off at Gullane Golf Club today.

Fellow RSA National Squad members Albert Venter, Tristen Strydom, Jason Smith, Aubrey Beckley, Andre Nel, James du Preez and Kyle McClatchie star alongside the George golfer, while Terence Coutinho, Noel Anderson and Tom Watson complete the local challenge at the renowned links of Moray. Continue reading

Gauteng powers to 72-Hole Teams double

GautengA_GNGUMIDDELBURG, 25 May 2016 – Ivanna Samu, Kaleigh Telfer and Woo-Ju Son lived up to their star billing when they sealed back-to-back success for Gauteng in the Swiss Team Trophy, while Ekurhuleni lifted the Challenge Trophy with a crushing victory at the 72-Hole Teams Championship on Wednesday.

It was Kajal Mistry (70) and Chiara Contomathios (73) from the B-team that got Gauteng’s title defence underway at Middelburg Country Club on Monday, while the country’s top ranked seniors Samu and Telfer from Gauteng A opened with 149 to finish six shots off the pace.

But Samu and number one ranked junior Son stepped it up in round two with a total of 145 to grab a share of the lead at 294 with Gauteng North A. Continue reading

Gauteng North A with work to do at 72-Hole Teams Champs

LADIES GOLFMIDDELBURG, 24 May 2016 – Gauteng’s A-team produced two solid performances to open up a comfortable gap on Gauteng North A in the 72-Hole Teams Championship at Middelburg Country Club on Tuesday.

The B-Team established a three stroke lead in the first round to set the tone for Gauteng, but as they faded on day two, the A-Team picked up the slack to keep Gauteng’s title defence in the Swiss Team Trophy division on track. Continue reading