Durbanville Primary wins Ernie’s Championship
Debutants Durbanville Primary School celebrated a roaring eight stroke victory in the fifth Ernie Els Primary Schools Championship after denying Curro Aurora repeat success at the Fish River Sun Country Club on Friday.
Ayden Senger (74), Louis Loubser (75) and Max Orgovanvyi (83) enjoyed a great opening partnership of 232 that put Durbanville Primary School in pole position in their first appearance at the premier annual junior team event.
Loubser returned a 76, Senger carded a 77 and Orgovanvyi posted another 83 for a final round 236 to secure victory on 468.
“We are so happy and so proud of the team,” said coach and team manager Lana Orgovanyi.
“We sat with Curro Aurora at dinner during the opening ceremony and the trophy was on the table. I pointed to the trophy and told the players that this is what we came to play for and it was up to them if we would take the trophy home.
“They all came to the party in a big way. Even when they struggled at times, they played with great determination and commitment and I am incredibly pleased for them.
“It is such an honour for the primary schools around South Africa to compete in an event of this nature, sponsored by one of the biggest heroes in South African golf. This is a historic moment for the school and I am sure we will enjoy this moment for a long time.”
Carl Mwale helped Curro Aurora to second with an opening 69 and the 13-year-old Roodepoort golfer wielded his rented second-hand two-bar Onyx for a 71 in the final round to win the Individual Competition by two strokes from St. Johns Prep’s Kian Rose 74 68.
Mwale’s team mate Kieron van Wyk fired a 69 and Kim Turgut added 93 for 233 to keep Curro Aurora in second on 478.
Rose’s low round of the tournament helped St. Johns Prep to third on 483 and Selborne Primary School finished in fourth on 486.
“This marked the fifth year that the championship was sponsored by four-time Major winner Ernie Els and presented under the auspices of the South African Golf Association (SAGA),” said SAGA Golf Integration Manager, Eden Thompson.
“This tournament is an extension of the great work that is being done in developing the game among junior golfers in South Africa. We are very pleased that all the unions participate in the qualifying process for the Ernie Els Primary Schools Championship and delighted that championship continues to draw such incredible interest and is so well supported.
“It is just fantastic to see how healthy junior golf in South Africa is and we owe a great debt of gratitude to Ernie for providing the juniors with a national competitive platform such as this.”
Click HERE for Team Results
Click HERE for Individual Results
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.