SA juniors press on in Jakarta
The junior quartet from South Africa produced a mixed bag of results at the Ciputra Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship in Indonesia on Thursday.
Cole Stevens from Gauteng stayed in the top five in the Boys B Competition, but Ekurhuleni’s Caitlyn Macnab slipped to seventh in the Girls B Competition in the 13-14 age group, while Gauteng’s Symone Henriques climbed to a tie for 11th in the Girls A Competition and Hilmi Mallick from Western Province remained tied for 13th in Boys A Competition for 15-17 year olds at the Damia Indah Golf in Jakarta.
Macnab bookended seven pars with a bogey start and finish over her first nine holes, but started her back nine with a bogey at 10, double at 11 and another bogey at 12. She dropped one more shot at the short 15th and signed for an 80 to tie for seventh.
“Symone went out later in the day and had an almost perfect front nine with two birdied and a pair of bogeys to turn level par,” said Womens Golf South Africa vice-president Sally Greasley.
“She started the back nine with a bogey, as well, and double bogeyed 14. She dropped another shot at 16 and finished with a double bogey after hitting her second shot into a hazard. A six over 78 saw her tie for 11th on 157.
“Both girls were hugely disappointed and understandably so, but hopefully they will rally in Friday’s final round.”
Stevens mixed a birdie at the par five sixth with bogeys at three, five and seven to turn two over, and dropped three more shots on the back nine.
“It looked like a tough day for everyone in the Boys B Competition and Cole dropped just one position to a tie for fifth,” Greasley said. “He started very confidently, but his driver let him down on the back nine. Despite saving par with a couple of great up-and-downs, he still dropped shots at 11, 14 and 16.
“Hilmi started quietly with a bogey, birdie, bogey start, but reeled in another birdie at the sixth. Bogeys at seven and nine took him to the turn in two over. He also dropped the 10th hole but rallied with six pars before netting his third birdie at the par five 17th. Unfortunately he hit his tee shot in the water and signed off with a double bogey, but his four over 76 was his best performance yet and hopefully he can build on that in the final round.”
Greasley said the players are still enjoying the experience and everyone is hoping for a big push in the final round.
“I have enjoyed listening to the juniors tear their rounds apart with the new friends they have made here in Indonesia this week,” she said. “I’m also impressed with how they have coped with the language barrier by learning words and phrases from the local players. We hoped to give them a learning experience and they have thorough embraced the challenge.”
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association and Womens Golf South Africa.