Manchest gunning for double glory at Dr Bam
KeNako Academy junior Franklin Manchest broke through for his maiden provincial title in the Nomads National Order of Merit in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday and will be chasing back-to-back success when he starts the Dr Bam tournament at Benoni Country Club today.
The 17-year-old George golfer fired rounds of 72, 71 and 70 at Umhlali Country Club to claim an emphatic four stroke victory on even-par 213.
Gauteng North’s Cliffie Thompson took second and fellow Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation member Anuerin Gounden from Mount Edgecombe finished in third on six over.
Manchest, a member of the GOLF RSA National Squad, was a regular visitor to the winner’s circle in events in the Southern Cape in the last two year. He was absolutely over the moon with his national breakthrough.
“I’ve done really well on the local circuit, but I started to get a little frustrated that I couldn’t carry that form to national events,” the South African Golf Development Board graduate gushed.
“I am absolutely stoked that I finally got the monkey off my back. I gained a lot of confidence playing for Southern Cape in the Premier Inter-Provincial last September and being part of the winning team at the SA U-19 Inter-Provincial in December was awesome.
“It was go great to finish the season on the winning note, but I never imagined that I would start it with a victory, as well. This is really great, because my goal for this year was to win at least once on national level. Now I am gunning for at least two victories.”
Manchest was tied for fourth after the first round, but secured a share of pole position with Haydn Driver from Central Gauteng with his 71 in the second round.
“It was the first time I slept on the lead and I was a little nervous starting the final round,” he said.
“When we got to the course, I saw the wind was quite blustery and that put me in a very positive frame of mind for the last round. I really enjoy playing in windy conditions; I guess that comes from growing up on the coast, but the wind doesn’t faze me.
“It was a two-club wind at times, which made the holes into the wind pretty tricky, but I held it together quite nicely. I never really felt under pressure. I played the front nine in two under, but I had a few bogeys on the back nine. My goal was to try and break par for the tournament, but I am quite happy with finishing on level.
“Hopefully I can take this form to another solid performance in the Nomads National Order of Merit Dr Bam in Benoni.”
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.