Le Roux keeps up the pressure
South Africa’s leading senior amateur Francois le Roux has dominated the national senior scene this season, but lifting the Western Province’s Westlake Senior title on Thursday rated right up there with the 53-year-old’s goals for this year.
Le Roux further cemented his position at the top of the Western Province Senior Order of Merit with victory in the 18-hole competition at Westlake, finishing three shots clear of John Winter, John Rivett and Williams Hughes in joint second.
“Every win counts when you look at the big picture,” he said. “Obviously winning the national events is a big priority, but provincial events help you keep your form going. The Order of Merit also counts towards your selection for the provincial side, so you always want to perform well.”
More importantly, the victory padded his confidence in a season that has seen him rule the national rankings.
Seven months into the year, the De Zalze golfer has claimed six podium finishes in 12 starts on the South African Golf Association’s national senior amateur circuit.
Le Roux went on the rampage after a top 10 finish in his first start in January. After winning the Cape Winelands Senior Amateur Championships a month later, Le Roux added to his trophy case with victories at the Boland Senior Open, Western Province Senior Amateur Open, the KwaZulu-Natal Senior Amateur Open, Southern Cape Senior Open and Border Senior Open.
He also claimed a top 10 at the Southern Cape Senior Amateur Championship last month and tied for second at the Eastern Province Senior Open in July.
Le Roux said his goal this year was to achieve greater consistency to have a real chance of lifting the INDWE SA Senior Amateur Stroke Play title in October.
“I have been playing well and I have been able to sustain my form,” he said. “I guess that when you start listing them like that, it’s a pretty good season, but the cherry on the cake would be to win at Fancourt in October.
“That is the one that has eluded me. Everything I’m doing now is really in preparation of giving myself a real chance to challenge this year and all I want to do is carry this form through to October.”