Du Buisson wins Zambia Amateur Open

Johan Du Buisson won the Zambia Amateur Open after a three hole playoff with fellow South African Jacques Blaauw in the 36 hole Stroke Play event which concluded at the Ndola Golf Club, Zambia today.

The 28 year old Boland golfer started the final round one shot off the pace. He got off to a shaky start dropping a shot on the first hole. He pulled himself back into contention with three birdies the 3rd, 5th and 6th holes. This followed immediately with a double drop: “I hit a tree and lost the ball,” explained the Kuils River Golf Club member. He birdied the 10th and 12th but dropped again at the 14th.

“When I teed up on the 17th, I new I needed to birdie the hole to go to three under for the tournament,” explained Du Buisson.

This was in reference to fellow South African, Jacques Blaauw, who was also playing the event. The 22 year old Paarl Golf Club and fellow Bolander, had recorded a four under par final round of 69, to be the first player in the clubhouse at 143, for 36 holes, and three under par.

Du Buisson hit his tee shot onto the green, at 17, and then sank a 25 footer for a much needed birdie to draw level with Blaauw. A par on the final hole saw the two players to a three hole playoff.

The Kuils River golfer dominated the playoff recording two birdies and a par to Blaauw’s two pars and a drop shot.

Du Buisson, who is captain on the South African Zone VI team was very upbeat about his teams’ chances for the competition, also being played at Ndola, starting on Tuesday. “We did well this weekend dominating the event, hope we can carry it through to the Zone VI,” he said. This is the first international competition he as captained the South African Team.

Team Manager, Enver Hassen, said that the golf course was tight and required accurate driving. “The greens are a little bumpy,” he pointed out, “but they do reward good play as witnessed by the number of birdies Du Buisson had today.” He too was upbeat about his teams’ chances pointing out that the South Africans had a strong record in this event only having lost once since being accepted back into international sport.

Scores:
Ndola Golf Club, Ndola, Zambia (Par 73)

143 Johan Du Buisson (SA) (71,72), Jacques Blaauw (SA) (74,69) (Du Buisson won after a three hole playoff)
146 Dean O’Riley (SA) (74,72), Eto Kabbudula (ZAM) (73,73)

Other South African’s scores:
147 Dylan Frittelli (SA) (72,75)
148 Derik Ferreira (SA) (74,74)
149 Ryan Clarke (SA) (74,75)
150 Alpheus Kelapile (SA) (77,73)
151 Adrian Ford (SA) (75,76)

For further information please contact:
Neale Kunhardt (SAGA President) Cell: 082 374 3455
Bruce Younge (SAGA Exeuctive Director) Cell: 083 374 3456
Enver Hassen (SAGA Vice President and Team Manager) Cell: 082 374 3454