SA Inter Provincial primed to start in Hermanus
Host province Boland starts its defence of the men’s SA Inter Provincial golf tournament confident in the knowledge that they have made only one change to the team which won last year’s event.
They have brought in 19-year-old Keenan Davidse for Oliver Bekker. Bekker joined the professional ranks at the start of last summer.
Boland recorded their first ever title win in the A Section last year and will be confident of successfully defending their crown, especially at Hermanus Golf Club which is as close to home territory as any other Boland course.
Boland starts its title defense against Free State and Northern Cape – a good way to ease into the remaining four matches which will really put the champions to the test,
The main challenge will come from Western Province, and that is because Hermanus is also as much a home course as any course in Cape Town could be.
But, more than that, Western Province has two players ranked in the top five places on the current South African Golf Association player rankings, namely Adrian Ford and Cameron Johnston.
That kind of strength is a good thing to have over five tough days of play.
Of the up-country teams, Central Gauteng looks the best bet to upset the Cape favourites in the A section.
One of the reasons is Steve Williams. He may look a little beyond the young company he will be keeping at 47, but he’s playing the best golf his life. His skill and experience will make him a formidable opponent all week.
Gauteng North have a star in Derik Ferreira. He has a huge talent, and is widely considered unlucky not to be in South Africa’s three-man team for the Eisenhower Trophy in Australia in October.
The third big name who will carry up-country hopes is Ekurhuleni’s Dean O’Riley. He was ranked number one in the country earlier this year, so he should be capable of taking on and beating the very best of opponents at Hermanus.
And, in the B section, there is the intriguing prospect of KwaZulu-Natal battling to get promoted to the A section ahead of their hosting the inter provincial tournament next year.
With the undeniable skills of 19-year-old Jared Harvey, a player who made his debut at the age of 15, they have the firepower.
However, the best player in the province has been the 38-year-old Gavin Sole. The highlight of his year was winning the KwaZulu-Natal Amateur, plus two other titles. He has an intimidating on-course presence and his calmness and experience will be crucial.
Their chief threat will be Eastern Province. They have a youthful team with Lyle Rowe their big gun. He’s the reigning Eastern Province Amateur champion who in the last has really hit form and tied for seventh in the Southern Cape Open in one of the strongest fields in the country.
KwaZulu Natal’s opening match is against Limpopo, and the big Eastern Province match-up takes place on the final day on Friday.