Ford fares best of the South Africans

Adrian Ford faired best of the two South Africans participating in the first round of the 113th Argentine Amateur Championship played yesterday at the Nordelta Golf Course outside Buenos Aires. The burly 21 year old Western Province player carded a round of 75, three over par, which puts him 13th tied with four other players.

Leading the field, in the first round of the 36 hole Qualifying, is young Spainish golfer Juan Francisco Sarasti. He recorded a two under par 70. He is one shot clear of Scotsman Scott Borrowman and Englishman Matthew Haines.

The two pre tournament favourites Reiner Saxton (72) and Floris de Vries (73), both of Netherlands, are well placed in 4th and 7th respectively.

Derik Ferreira, the only other South African in the field, carded a 79, seven over par, putting him 32nd tie with a bunch of other players. He tripped up badly on the 2nd hole, a par three recording a triple bogey 6. After another two bogeys he turned in 41, five over par. He recorded three more bogeys on the back stretch and one solitary birdie to come home in 38.

Ford on the other hand recorded an outward nine of 38, two over par, and came home one shot better recording two birdies and five bogeys along the way.

Today the final round of the 36 hole Qualifying is played. Both South Africans look like they will finish within the top 64 places and will consequently qualify for the match play competition to determine the 113th Argentine Amateur Champion.

Results:
113th Argentine Amateur Championship: 36 hole Qualifying
Venue: Nordelta Golf Course, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Par 72

First Round

Leaders
70 – Juan Francisco Sarasti (Spain)
71 – Scott Borrowman (Scotland), Matthew Haines (England)
72 – Reiner Saxton (Netherlands), Patricio Salem (Peru), Jason Scrivener (Australia)
73 – Leandro Marelli (Argentina), Cecil Aaron Hickman (US), Tomas Cocha (Argentina), Floris de Vries (Netherlands)

South African Scores:
75 – Adrian Ford
79 – Derik Ferreira