Central Gauteng A wins weather-hit International Teams

Central Gauteng A lifted the International Teams Championship title at Maccauvlei Golf Club on Sunday after lightning and uninterrupted rain forced organisers to abandon play and declare a 36-hole result.

The champions edged out Ekurhuleni A on a winning total of 413 after rounds of 208 and 205.

Central Gauteng A’s Matthew Spacey shot successive rounds of 68, Michael Dixon carded rounds of 73 and 67, Marco Steyn doubled up with 70s and Darin de Smidt registered rounds of 70 and 78.

Reigning Nomads SA Boys U-19 Stroke Play champion Tristen Strydom set the pace for Ekurhuleni A with rounds of 67 and 69.

Strydom was supported by Kyle McClatchie, who posted rounds of 71 and 69, Jason Froneman, who signed for a 71 and a 73 and reigning Nomads SA Boys Match Play champion Paul Boshoff, who carded rounds of 70 and 68.

Gauteng C (211 & 210) and KwaZulu-Natal (209 & 212) tied for third on 421.

Spacey and Strydom were tied for the lead on eight under 136 in the Individual Competition with Central Gauteng’s Gareth Clements (68-68).

Recent Central Gauteng Open winner Spacey was well placed to defend his title, while Harry Oppenheimer Trophy champion Strydom was hunting back-to-back success in the season’s final national event.

However, Mother Nature had her own plan. The inclement weather rendered the course unplayable and the trio was forced to share the spoils after a play-off was impossible.

The successive podium finishes did have a positive result for Strydom, though.

With the shared victory, the Ekurhuleni Golf Union Player of the Year leapfrogged Gerlou Roux from Western Province for the second spot in the South African Golf Association’s Open Amateur Rankings.

Hendrikus Stoop from Gauteng North rallied with a second round 65 to tie for fourth on 137 with Herman Loubser from Boland, who carded rounds of 71 and 66.

FINAL TEAM RESULT (Top 10)
413 Central Gauteng A 208 205
414 Ekurhuleni A 208 206
421 Central Gauteng B 211 210; 421 KwaZulu-Natal A 209 212
422 Gauteng North A 215 207; 422 Boland 213 209; 422 Ekurhuleni C 206 216
426 Western Province A 215 211; 426 Gauteng North B 210 216
427 Free State 215 212; 427 Central Juniors 210 217

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION
136 Matthew Spacey (CG) 68 68; Gareth Clements (CG 68-68); Tristen Strydom (EKU) 67-69
137 Hendrikus Stoop (GN) 72 65; Herman Loubser (BOL) 71 66
138 Paul Boshoff (EKU) 70 68; Teagan Moore (EKU) 67 71
139 Jarred Miltz (CG) 70 69; Dwayne Basson (WP) 69 70; Keegan de Lange (GN) 69 70; Keven Rundle (KZN) 68 71; Malcolm Mitchell (KZN) 68 71

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.