Ekurhuleni’s Boshoff claims top-20 in Switzerland
South African golfer Paul Boshoff claimed a top 20 finish in the 2013 Swiss Amateur Championship in Lausanne on Sunday.
The 16-year-old Ekurhuleni golfer fired rounds of 71 and 73 at the Lausanne Golf Club to make the cut, set at four-over 148, by four shots. Boshoff and carded a final round 76 to claim a share of 11th on four-over-par on the final leaderboard. He finished seven shots behind champion Mathieu Fenasse of France.
The Frenchman carded rounds of 71-72-70 to won by two strokes from Italy’s Michael Cea on three-under-par 213. The leading pair were the only two players to finish below par in the final round.
Boshoff won the Lowveld Amateur Open in June on the back of his first taste of international competition at the Italian International Amateur Championship.
The Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate golfer survived a 36-hole stroke play qualifier and made it through the first round of match play, but was dispatched in the second round at Villa D’Este Golf Club.
Boshoff, who ranks 34th on the current South African Golf Association ranking, describes the experience gained at these international events as invaluable.
“The only way to improve is to constantly challenge yourself against top players,” he said. “It definitely does something to you when you go up against these international players. You play with increased focus and you lift your game, but you also become aware of the parts of your game where you need to work harder.
“After I reached the second round of the match play in Italy, I came home and carried that confidence into winning the Lowveld Amateur Open. Similarly, the experience to play against top international amateurs in Switzerland was an awesome experience.”