SA claims 16th All-Africa Junior Golf Championship

South Africa put an exclamation mark on a successful title defence at the All-Africa Junior Golf Championship in Lusaka to claim the country’s 16th consecutive victory in the prestigious team event on Thursday.

The four-man junior squad stretched an almost unassailable 21 shot lead after three rounds at Chainama Hills Golf Club to a 35-stroke victory over Zimbabwe.

The defending champions combined for a final round 216 to end the week on a winning score of 873, while last year’s silver medallists wrapped up the runner-up spot – and a trip to the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup in Japan – on 908 with a final round 230

It would have taken a mammoth effort from Zimbabwe to close the gap, but still the South Africans refused to even give an inch in the final round.

Western Province’s Altin van der Merwe fired a two-under-par 70 – his best round of the week – while Hennie du Plessis from Limpopo added a 75 to the team’s tally.

Southern Cape’s Jovan Rebula fired a 71, also his lowest effort in the championship, and the round that carried him to the top of the Individual Standings.

Ekurhuleni’s Kyle McClatchie carded a non-counting 77.

Stuart Krog, who once again set the tone for Zimbabwe with a 75, was supported by Kieron Vincent, who carded a 76 and Justin Kersten, who signed for a 79. Jack Allard posted a non-counting 81.

Meanwhile Zambia delivered a powerful message when the side once again claimed third on 923.

Peter Munyinya led the way with a 76, while Kelvin Chibuye posted an 80 and Gabriel Chibale carded an 81 for a final round 237. Charles Shalubobya signed for a non-counting 85.

Reunion, helped by a 75 from Julien Sale and 80s from Robin Baudry and Alexandre Rajerinera, closed with a 235 to hold on to fourth on 931, finishing 11 shots ahead of Uganda.

South African team manager, Kevin Stone, said the team was delighted to uphold South Africa’s proud history in the event.

“Defending a title is always special, but I think this one will stick with the boys for a long time,” the former professional said.

“The course was very challenging and all the participating countries stepped it up in a big way after the president of the Africa Golf Confederation, Ambassador Joe Malangi, made the announcement about the runners-up going to Japan.

“We knew we would be under pressure and our opponents didn’t disappoint. The team showed incredible grit and determination and I am incredibly proud of the team.

“Each player delivered their best effort and the team played well as a unit. I believe the experience gained in playing against some of the best players from countries around Africa will be invaluable. We became a very strong side as the championship progressed and created some wonderful memories to build on in the future.”

FINAL ROUND TEAM STANDINGS (best three scores to count)

873 South Africa 220 – 223 – 214 – 216

908 Zimbabwe 232 – 222 – 224 – 230

923 Zambia 222 – 238 – 226 – 237

931 Reunion 231 – 233 – 232 – 235

942 Uganda 231 – 236 – 236 – 239

957 Kenya 238 – 238 – 239 – 242

958 Tunisia 233 – 245 – 240 – 240

964 Swaziland 246 – 240 – 241 – 237

986 Namibia 255 – 237 – 244 – 250

989 Botswana 246 – 261 – 240 – 242

1043 Mauritius 271 – 254 – 254 – 264

1119 Malawi 280 – 288 – 289 – 262

FINAL ROUND INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD (top 10 gross)

70 Altin van der Merwe (South Africa)

71 Jovan Rebula (South Africa)

72 Baguma Daniel (Uganda)

73 Leroy Pearman (Botswana)

75 Stuart Krog (Zimbabwe); Hennie du Plessis (South Africa); Julian Sale (Reunion)

76 Kieron Vincent (Zimbabwe); Peter Munyinya (Zambia); Kyle McClatchie (South Africa)

77 James Pennington (Swaziland); Banele Mavuso (Swaziland)

FINAL CUMULATIVE INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD (top 10 gross)

292 Jovan Rebula (South Africa) 74 74 73 71

294 Stuart Krog (Zimbabwe) 78 71 70 75

295 Altin van der Merwe (South Africa) 78 75 72 70

297 Kyle McClatchie (South Africa) 75 74 71 77

299 Hennie du Plessis (South Africa) 71 82 71 75

300 Julian Sale (Reunion) 78 75 72 75; Kieron Vincent (Zimbabwe) 75 71 78 76

301 Peter Munyinya (Zambia) 74 79 72 76

309 Elyes Barhoumi (Tunisia) 74 77 80 78; Kelvin Chibuye (Zambia) 70 82 77 80

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.

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