Mighty Modderfontein seals Louis’ Champs hat-trick
Modderfontein Golf Club mounted a spirited comeback in the final round to seal in a hat-trick of victories in the Louis Oosthuizen SA Junior Club Team Championship at Langebaan Country Estate on Tuesday.
Marco Steyn, Guy Waterhouse and Eric Wowor compiled a superb total of 221 and Modderfontein triumphed by three strokes on 689 over the Louis 57 Golf Academy.
“This was by far the hardest one to win and we are absolutely thrilled with this third victory,” said Modderfontein team manager Lance Michler.
“Marco, Eric, Guy and Dylan Naidoo showed incredible spirit, resilience and determination over the three rounds to pull it through.
“Regretfully, Langebaan had some difficulty with their greens and this resulted in a putting surface that was not up to the standard that the South African Golf Association or the representatives of The Louis 57 brand would usually present.
“SAGA didn’t learn of the situation in time to change the venue, but all credit to the staff at Langebaan who did everything within their power to make the situation better for the players during the tournament.
“Given the state of the greens, the players really battled with scoring, but our players committed to give the championship their best endeavour. I am incredibly proud that all four lads made our third successive victory a real team effort.”
The defending champions started strong with an opening 228 to share the first round lead with Rondebosch Golf Club, however, a second round 240 left them trailing the Louis 57 quartet by eight strokes.
“The players were smarting after the second round and I shared their frustration,” Michler said.
“Dylan spoke to the guys at dinner and, after a two-minute team talk, the lads were back to form and determined to fight for our third victory.”
Naidoo spearheaded the challenge over the first two rounds, but for a third successive year, fellow TuksSport Golf Academy member Steyn led the final round assault.
Steyn fired an even-par 72, while Waterhouse returned a 74 and Wowor registered a 75.
“Marco really came through for the team with that superb final round,” Michler said
“This team really plays for each other and rally around each other, and it was fantastic to see how Guy and Eric stepped it up when Dylan got off to a very bad start.
“Eric also played a champions innings and I have to commend Guy, who incidentally was just appointed 2016 head boy at Hilton College. He hasn’t teamed up with Dylan, Eric and Marco in this event before, but he was 100% committed to making it three for three for Modderfontein.
“The Louis Oosthuizen SA Junior Club Team Championship is among the most coveted titles on the national junior circuit and, despite the hardships this week, this team is proud as punch to lift Louis’ trophy for a third year running.”
Although Modderfontein denied the Louis 57 Golf Academy a maiden breakthrough, Martin Vorster, Marcus Smal, Jordan Duminy and Christo Lamprecht did attain their best finish yet in the prestigious junior team event.
Vorster’s final round 76 lifted him to victory in the Individual Competition, while Smal and Duminy contributed respective rounds of 77 and 79 for a final round 232 and sole second on 692.
Rondebosch’s Hilmi Mallick (76), Alistair Snowdon (78) and Abduragmaan Adams (81) combined for a final round 235 to finish in third on 697.
TEAM RESULT – TOP FIVE
689 Modderfontein Golf Club
228 Dylan Naidoo 75 Marco Steyn 75 Eric Wowor 78; 240 Dylan Naidoo 77 Marco Steyn 78 Guy Waterhouse 85; 221 Marco Steyn 72 Guy Waterhouse 74 Eric Wowor 75
692 Louis 57 Golf Academy
232 Martin Vorster 74 Marcus (Jnr) Smal 78 Christo (Jnr) Lamprecht 80; 228 Martin Vorster 74 Christo (Jnr) Lamprecht 76 Jordan Duminy 78; 232 Martin Vorster 76 Marcus (Jnr) Smal 77 Jordan Duminy 79
697 Rondebosch Golf Club
228 Alistair Snowdon 75 Abduragmaan Adams 76 Craig Baba 77; 234 Alistair Snowdon 72 Craig Baba 81 Hilmi Mallick 81; 235 Hilmi Mallick 76 Alistair Snowdon 78 Abduragmaan Adams 81
716 Theewaterskloof Golf Club
237 Willem Boshoff 78 Tyron Davidowitz 79 Dandre Spies 80; 246 Dandre Spies 80 Willem Boshoff 81 Tyron Davidowitz 85; 233 Willem Boshoff 76 Dandre Spies 77 Tyron Davidowitz 80
720 Durban Country Club
243 Nikhil Gopal 79 Jonothan Broomhead 81 Lisanthan Moodley 83; 245 Lisanthan Moodley 80 Nikhil Gopal 82 Samual Mckenzie 83; 232 Lisanthan Moodley 76 Samual Mckenzie 78 Jonothan Broomhead 78
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INDIVIDUAL RESULT – TOP 10
224 Martin Vorster 74 74 76
225 Marco Steyn 75 78 72; Alistair Snowdon 75 72 78
230 Dylan Naidoo 75 77 78
233 Chase Paton 77 80 76
234 Ian Botha 80 78 76
235 Willem Boshoff 78 81 76; Marcus Smal 78 80 77
237 Dandre Spies 80 80 77; Guy Waterhouse 78 85 74
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PHOTO – Modderfontein Golf Club celebrated their third Louis Oosthuizen SA Junior Club Team Championship at Langebaan Country Estate; credit SAGA.
(LTR – manager Lance Michler, Marco Steyn, Dylan Naidoo, Eric Wowor and Guy Waterhouse)
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.