Van Buynder in the hunt at Nomads North vs South

SA U19 Boys Golf Championship1 April 2015 – Gauteng North’s Otto van Buynder moved within striking distance of pacesetter Sentanio Minnie in the first round of the Nomads North vs South Inland on April Fool’s Day.

Minnie notched eight birdies on his way to a sizzling six-under-par 66 at Bloemfontein Golf Club, but Van Buynder from Blue Valley Golf Estate overcame a lone early bogey at the par-four second with half-a-dozen birdies to finish one stroke off the pace.

The Gauteng North junior shares second with Franklin Manchest from Southern Cape, who reeled in four birdies on the back nine to offset back-to-back bogeys at 10 and 11. Continue reading

Lau lurking at Nomads SA Rose Bowl

TSHWANE LADIES OPEN 2015.PAARL, 30 March 2015 – South Africa’s top ranked Ivanna Samu took the 36-hole lead in the Nomads SA Girl’s Rose Bowl Championship on Monday while Gauteng North’s Catherine Lau broke up a heavy Gauteng presence at the top of the leaderboard at Paarl Golf Club.

Samu opened with a one over 73 and started the second round one stroke behind fellow Gauteng golfer Natasha Carlsson. The reigning Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur champion overcame a Continue reading

Du Preez celebrates memorable comeback in Southern Cape

2015SanlamCPO_JamesduPreez2_GNGUGEORGE, 28 March 2015 – Former world number one Tiger Woods has been out of action since early February with a back injury. Some speculate that the lay-off is just another excuse to tinker with his swing before the Masters, but surprisingly, back injuries are the reason more than 50% professional golfers tstop competing.

Lanky James du Preez stands six foot eight (2.06m) in his socks and growth spurts had given him a fair shake of back injuries in the last couple of years.

The promising Gauteng North amateur does not want to be one of the statistics, though.

“Back problems are often ignored and players just play through the pain,” Du Preez said. “I chose to tackle the issues now to extend my career, even if it meant time away from the game.” Continue reading

Solid finish for SA in Southern Cross

JasonSmith_TeeShot_GNGUTIGRE, Argentina (30 March 2015) – France celebrated a six stroke victory in the Southern Cross Invitational in Argentina, while South Africa produced a solid final round performance to shift into seventh place in the final standings at the Nordelta Golf Club in Tigre

Romain Lagasque (67), Jeremy Gandon (68) and reigning South African Stroke Play champion Ugo Coussard (71) combined for a final round 206 to secure victory for France on 18-under-par 846.

Ireland took the runner-up spot on 852, Australia claimed third on 859, while Canada edged out Argentina by two strokes to finish in fourth on 877. Continue reading

Last chance saloon for SA team in Argentina

JasonSmith_GNGU

TIGRE, Argentina (29 March 2015) – The South African team will give today’s final round one last push, while France, Ireland and Australia will go head-to-head for victory in the Southern Cross Invitational at the Nordelta Golf Club in Tigre.

Romain Lagasque (67), Jeremy Gandon (72) and Edgar Catherine (75) combined for a total of 214 to lift France into pole position for the first time in the prestigious team competition.

The side leads on 640, but will take a more one stroke lead into the last round over Ireland, who led through the first two rounds.

Australia posted a third round 208 to finish just five off the pace. Continue reading

SA team under pressure at Southern Cross

2015 Leopard TrophyTIGRE, Argentina (28 March 2015) – Ireland retained their overnight lead in the prestigious Southern Cross Invitational on Friday, but South Africa failed to advance despite an improved effort in the second round at the Nordelta Golf Club in Tigre.

Ireland’s Jack Hume, Gary Hurley and Gavin Moynihan combined for a total of 212 to keep the team ahead on nine under par for a second successive day.

France remained in second on six under after back-to-back rounds of 213, while Australia hung on for third place on five over with a second round 219. Continue reading

SA team on back foot in Tigre

JasonGNGUTIGRE; Argentina (27 March 2015) – Ireland edged ahead of France in the first round of the prestigious Southern Cross Invitational, while South Africa and host nation Argentina battled in the opening round at the Nordelta Golf Club in Tigre.

Jack Hume, Gary Hurley and Gavin Moynihan put Ireland in pole position on five-under-par 211 with respective rounds of 69, 70 and 72.

Reigning SA Stroke Play champion Ugo Coussaud led the way for the French with a three under 69 and the team lag just two strokes behind the Irish.

Australia took third on 219, followed by Canada on 222. Chile placed fifth on 224, while Portugal finished in sixth on 225. Continue reading