SA win all matches in 2nd Round of Zone VI

Playing foursomes in the morning and betterball in the afternoon, the South African amateur golf team won all eight of their matches to take the lead after the second round of the Zone VI Team competition being played at Chapman Golf Club, Harare.

Enjoying the favourable overcast weather conditions this morning South Africa won all four games comfortably. Yubin Jung and Trevor Mahoney were the only players tested, they were three down after six, playing against two players from Mocambique. However they clawed their way back eventually winning 4 and 2.

Going into the afternoon matches, South Africa, with 10½ points were leading the competition by one and a half points from overnight leaders Zimbabwe.

Playing in the same morning pairings the South Africans proved too strong for their opponents, none more so than the performance of 18 year old South African Amateur Stroke Play Champion JG Claassen and his partner, 19 year old Leon Knoll. Playing against Zimbabwe, which included young talented Scott Vincent, Claassen turned in 30, missing an eagle putt for a 29. He and his playing partner finished off the game after the 13th hole, winning 5 and 3. They were eleven under par after 13 holes, Claassen himself was eight under par.

The young Claassen from North West Province is certainly turning heads and starting to show that he has a very bright future in the sport.

After winning all their betterball matches this afternoon, South Africa edged further ahead of the nine other participating nations. They now have 14½ points, 3½ points clear of Zimbabwe.

Namibia and Botswana still have to conclude their betterball matches tomorrow morning and therefore their team total is omitted from the table below.

With 8 points to play for in tomorrow’s singles, South Africa look set to successfully defend the title they won last year.

2nd Round Results

Morning: Foursomes
South African scores:
Johan Bekker & Jake Redman beat P Tinala & B Rennie (Swaziland) 5 and 4;
Coenie Bester & Derik Ferreira beat E Kabdulla & K Mushibwe (Zambia) 4 and 3;
Yubin Jung & Trevor Mahoney best F Manhica & A Cumbana (Mocambique) 4 and 2;
JG Claassen & Leon Knoll beat A Sihag & S Muthugia (Kenya) 5 and 4.

Table on conclusion of the Foursomes:

10½ – South Africa
9 – Zimbabwe
7- Zambia
6½ – Botswana, Kenya
5½ – Swaziland
4½ – Namibia, Malawi
4 – Tanzania
2 – Mocambique

3rd Round Results

Afternoon: Betterball
South African Scores:
Leon Knoll & JG Claassen beat Scott Vincent & C Mushiri (Zimbabwe) 5 and 4;
Derik Ferreira & Coenie Bester beat H Ally & Stephano (Tanzania) 8 and 6;
Johan Bekker & Jake Redman beat B Daka & J Malembe (Zambia) 5 and 4;
Yubin Jung & Trevor Mahoney beat G van der Merwe & E Geinube (Namibia) 6 and 5.

Table on conclusion of the Betterball:
(Namibia and Botswana still have matches to conclude tomorrow morning)

14½ – South Africa
11 – Zimbabwe
10½ – Kenya
9½ – Zambia
8 – Swaziland
5½ – Malawi
4 – Tanzania
2 – Mocambique