Cole gives Gauteng edge at Fish River

Cole Stevens helped Central Gauteng into pole position in Monday’s first round of the Nomads SA Under-13 Champion at Fish River Sun Country Club.

The 11-year-old from Parkview was the only player to navigate the par-73 Gary Player-designed layout in par and his great effort in blustery conditions created some welcome breathing space for the side on a difficult scoring day.

Alex van der Merwe carded a 77, Kieron van Wyk contributed a 78, Kaiyuree Moodley signed for an 83, while Kajal Mistry and Kian Rose both finished on 89 to give the team a combined score of 31-over-par that lifted Central Gauteng to the top of the leaderboard.

Central Gauteng finished five shots clear of Ekurhuleni and will take a comfortable 12 shot cushion over Southern Cape into the second round.

Casey Jarvin from State Mines Country Club near Brakpan led the Gauteng East side with an opening 77, while Jaden Shaper and Warwick Purchase signed for 78s, Zamukuhle Nxasana closed with an 82 and Caitlyn MacNab and Ryan van Velzen signed for 90s.

The Southern Cape team combined for a 46-over-par total with Jordon Duminy from Mossel Bay setting the target with an opening 79.

Martin Vorster (80), Ben van Wyk (81), Murray James (83) and Luhan Bester (85) contributed the rest of the scores, while Jean Pierre van der Watt carded a non-counting 89.

Cole also shot to the top of the individual leaderboard. He leads by one from Eben Spangenberg from Worcester and is two clear of Mowbray’s Tristan Galant and Andre van Dyk from Orkney Golf Club.