SA juniors make great start in Italy
Every skilled golfer knows that the more often you do something, the more confidence you have in your ability to do it right and South African trio Luke Mayo, Herman Loubser and Luca Filippi certainly reaped the benefits of a second stab at the Reply Italian International Under-16 Championship in Italy on Tuesday.
Wayward swings caused an early exit for Mayo and Loubser at the 2014 edition, but the pair engaged all their savvy to start this year’s event on a promising note.
Filippi, meanwhile, simply picked up where he left off last year.
Mayo discovered the advantage of a draw at the Golf Club Biella as he negated three bogeys with birdies at three, nine, 11 and 18 to close with a one-under-par 72.
The KwaZulu-Natal golfer finished in a tie for fifth and lags just four off the pace from first round pacesetter Alex Fitzpatrick from England.
Western Province’s Filippi, who tied for 11th last year, offset five bogeys with four birdies to grab a share of 10th with Loubser from Boland.
The reigning Nomads SA Boys U-17 champion overcame a double bogey start and a drop at four with a hat-trick of birdies around the turn and finished bogey-par-par to join the bus at one over.
South Africa’s fourth junior, Wilco Nienaber, fumbled with four consecutive bogeys from the second and dropped two more shots on the front nine, but the Free State junior settled after the turn.
Nienaber rallied with birdies at 11 and 15 to offset a bogey at 14 and signed off on his Italian debut with a five over 78.
“The conditions for the morning field were overcast and cool with no wind; just about perfect for golf,” said South African Golf Association Golf Integration Manager Eden Thompson.
“Luca and Herman both made a solid start, but felt they both left a couple of shots on the course. In the afternoon, the weather remained pleasant with just a slight breeze and Luke made the most of with good solid golf. No real mistakes and just good decisions all day.
“Wilco got off to a nervy start, but started to make some good swings after the fifth hole. Despite a few more errors, his fight and determination saw him home with a 78.”
Meanwhile Riccardo Leo and Leonardo Novella carded respective rounds of 70 and 71 to give Italy a three stroke lead in the 36-hole Nation’s Cup.
Fitzpatrick and Taylor Stote combined for 144 to give England second placea, while Austria took third on 147. Filippi and Loubser’s pair of 74s left South Africa fourth on 148.
To view live scoring, click HERE
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.