Ekurhuleni ready to rumble at Indwe Senior IPT
Home comforts, resident support and local course knowledge. The Ekurhuleni Senior and Super Senior teams are counting on these three elements to lay the foundation for a winning punch in the 27th edition of the INDWE SA Senior Amateur Inter-Provincial next week.
The local favourites will have to get past some very determined and confident opponents to reach the end goal, however, including defending champions Western Province, who revelled in a double celebration at the De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate last year.
Ekurhuleni president Martin Saaiman said the senior and super senior teams are determined to add to the union’s champions’ list.
“We have enjoyed great success in the national inter-provincials in the last 18 months,” Martin said.
“Our Open Amateur team earned promotion at the 2013 Premier SA Inter-Provincial and our mid-amateur team was victorious in the SA Mid-Amateur Inter-Provincial last year.
“We are very excited to have a Senior team and a Super Senior side gunning for glory in the A-Division of this year’s INDWE SA Senior Amateur Inter-Provincial.
“Our seniors are really inspired to add to extend our winning run and they have been hard at work in preparing for the upcoming battle.”
The A-Division matches will be contested at Ebotse Links Golf Club, while Benoni Country Club will host the B-Division matches from 14 to 17 April.
Ebotse’s Rodney Smith, Kevin Monk and Kim Young will lead the Senior challenge alongside Alex Anderson from Kempton Park, Mel Labuschagne from The Lake Club Benoni, Germiston’s Duncan Neill, Mark O’Brien from State Mines and Ramon Rahme from Glendower.
The Super Senior team will include Deon Becker from Benoni Country Club, Ebotse’s Errol Siven, Alan O’Bryan from Avion Park Golf Club and Anton Vortsman from The Lake Club Benoni.
The teams will be guided by the leadership and skill sets of managers Darrel Herbert (seniors) and Colin Keel (super seniors).
Although they are playing in their back-yard, it is bound to be a tough week for both teams.
The Western Province are fielding two very strong teams and showed with double victories in 2012 and 2014 that they are formidable opponents, while the Central Gauteng Seniors will be gunning for their ninth victory in 12 years.
Central’s last victory came at Euphoria Golf Estate in 2013 and playing second fiddle to Western Province in 2014 could be a strong motivating factor in their resurgence this year.
Gauteng North is also packing a very strong side with the likes of reigning INDWE SA Senior Stroke Play champion Mellette Hendrikse, as well as William Skinner, Ben Kleinhans, Christie le Roux, Chris Delport, Leon Scheepers, Robin Ashby and Gordon Wessels.
“Our teams will definitely have a tough mountain to climb, but I believe the strength of the two teams lie in the fact that there is little hierarchy in either side,” Saaiman said.
“The biggest factor in their favour is that we have 12 guys who can all bat at number one and that unifies the teams. There are no egos in play, just a dozen players determined to do their best for Ekurhuleni Golf Union.”
Indwe Risk Services managing director Peter Olyott said the 27th edition of the INDWE SA Senior Amateur Inter-Provincial is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years.
“Every team gives it their best effort and fights until the final putt drops, but one can never really predict the outcome of an inter-provincial,” Olyott said.
“The format of foursomes and singles always seem to serve up some upsets and surprises and we really enjoy this exciting element of the championship.
“With so many top contenders this year, it will be very interesting to see if Ekurhuleni can capitalise on their home course advantage, if Western Province can defend or if Central Gauteng can extend their proud winning history in this event.
“One thing is certain; the Ebotse layout will demand five days of incredible shot-making from all the competitors. Only two teams will ultimately succeed, but the chase will provide wonderful value for the spectators.”
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.