The 2013 SA IPT ended in utter elation and delight for our Gauteng North team, who ended a 29 year winning drought with an outstanding performance at the 2013 South African Inter-Provincial at Rustenburg Golf Club.
The 2013 champions ended their campaign in terrific style by handing KwaZulu-Natal a decisive 9.5 – 2.5 drubbing in the final round on Friday, to put the seal on an unbeaten record in the week-long premier team championship, sponsored by Tempest.
The boys in blue were tied 2-all after the foursomes, but captain Tokkie van den Berg rallied the troops and his charges delivered with seven single wins and a halve from Werner Ferreira.
“I said I needed everything they have and the guys delivered,” said the delighted skipper.
“On Tuesday, Werner van Niekerk rallied with two birdies for a halve that gave us the win against Boland, and today, Werner Ferreira was 3-down through 13 and fought back with birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th to halve the match, even though we were well ahead.
“From the first match to the last, the guys played for the team. We came here as a unit, played as unit and we’ve won as a unit. We had a lot to prove, and I’m really proud of the fact that we didn’t lose a single match. Our record speaks volumes about the character, strength and commitment of the players on this team.”
Gauteng North president, who also did duty as manager this week, was equally proud.
“The last time Gauteng North lifted this trophy, we were still called Northern Transvaal, so there was a lot of pressure on these boys to deliver,” said Few.
“We were the underdogs coming into this week, but our players stood their ground. I applaud each and every player on their commitment, their support for their fellow players and their fighting spirit.”
Gauteng North finished the week on 10 points at the top end of the log, while KwaZulu-Natal, while were the unhappy recipients of the wooden spoon.
It came down to a three-way battle for relegation between Southern Cape, Boland and the 2009 champions, but the men in black slipped to the bottom, having earned just three points from an earlier win against Western Province and a draw with Southern Cape.
Defending champions Western Province overwhelmed their 2012 winning partners Boland 9-3 to move to second on the log with six points, edging out Southern Cape by a single games point.
The Garden Route side were 3-down after the foursomes, but rallied with six singles victories and a half point from Ryan Ciapparelli to win the match 7.5 – 4.5 to leapfrog Central for third.
Boland finished in fourth on four points, while Central Gauteng barely avoided relegation with one and a half game points.
