Gough captures Bridge Junior Series at Royal Durban

11 September 2019 – Ethan Gough of Hillcrest romped to a comprehensive three-shot victory at Royal Durban Golf Club on Sunday to win the opening tournament of the third season of the popular Bridge Fund Managers Junior Series.

The 16-year-old Maritzburg College pupil, who is coached by Sean Coetzee at the SCIEG academy, carded level par 73 to finish three shots clear of Matthew Kruger and Christopher Gutuza.

Gough built up a substantial six-shot lead in a round that featured four gains, including a tap in birdie on the 13 hole after his bunker shot lipped out for eagle. However, he dropped a few shots as nerves and blustery winds got the better of him over the final few holes.

“At some point in the round one of my playing partners told me I had a six-shot lead and I think I became bit defensive, trying to protect the lead. This led me to drop some shots on the back nine,” said the Kloof Country Club member.

Victory secured Gough a place in the North Regional Final of the #BridgeJuniorSeries to be played over 36-holes in April 2020.

The finalists in the North and South Regional Finals will compete for the ultimate prize – an all-expenses paid trip to the Junior North and South Championship at Pinehurst, USA in July 2020.

“The opportunity to compete for a place at Pinehurst is definitely the main reason why I entered the Bridge Junior Series,” says Ethan, who aims to make the KZN inter-provincial team this year and become one of the country’s Top 20 amateurs on his way to realising his ultimate goal of turning professional.

Bridge Fund Managers Chief Executive Paul Stewart commented:

“Ethan put on an impressive performance at one of South Africa’s iconic golf courses. We look forward to seeing him take on the rest of the Season 3 tournament winners in April 2020,” Stewart said.

MORE ABOUT THE #BridgeJuniorSeries
The juniorseries.bridgefm.co.za launched in July 2017, is endorsed by GolfRSA and managed by the SA Golf Development Board.
Open to boys and girls in the Under-13 and Under-19 divisions, the series is played across 18 tournaments and hosted by leading courses countrywide. The second season attracted over 1500 entries.
The 18 tournament winners contest the 36-hole regional finals in April 2020 with the two winners jetting off to Pinehurst.
TaylorMade Golf has renewed its support for the #BridgeJuniorSeries and will provide prizes for the outstanding young golfers at the 18 regional events, as well as the two finals.

ABOUT BRIDGE FUND MANAGERS
Bridge Fund Managers is an asset manager specialising in providing retirement saving and retirement income portfolios. BRIDGE operates in the retail, institutional and wealth advisory markets. Our unique Payers & Growers® investment methodology is designed and actively managed to assist investors in securing high and growing income streams and inflation-beating capital returns through their investment portfolios. For more information please visithttp://www.bridgefm.co.za.

Visit juniorseries.bridgefm.co.za for the full schedule and entry mechanism, or contact Peter Little of the SAGDB on littlegolfers2@gmail.com.