SAGA juniors rally for win at Challenge Cup

It took a feisty comeback in the Singles, but the South African Golf Association (SAGA) Juniors got their title defence in the Challenge Cup underway, while the Gauteng North and the South African Universities sides also came up trumps in round one at Parkview Golf Club on Monday.

The SAGA Juniors were on the back foot after losing two games and halving another against the President’s team in the Foursomes, but a spirited performance in the Singles secured the defending champions an 8 – 4 win.

Therion Nel from Free State drew first blood for the SAGA Juniors when he defeated Hilmi Mallick from the Western Province 6 & 5. Christo Lamprecht, Anuerin Gounden, Martin Vorster, Luca Filippi and Dylan Mostert piled on the points.

Sentanio Minnie from Ekurhuleni gained a point for the President’s Team when he beat reigning Curro SA Junior International Boys champion Garrick Higgo 3 & 2, but Werner Deyzel claimed a half point for the SAGA Juniors when he halved his clash against Karabo Mokoena.

The host union and Gauteng North drew 2-all in the Foursomes and took a 4 – 2 lead after Cameron Moralee and Dylan Naidoo both won 6 & 5.

However, Ruan Conradie hit back for Gauteng North, defeating Tyrone Gibb 4 & 3 and Christopher van der Merwe levelled the scores when he downed Keegan Steyn 3 & 2. Richard Joubert put Gauteng North ahead, but Estiaan Conradie lost to David Mcintyre 2 & 1 and the teams were level again.

Dylan Kok gave Gauteng North a 6 – 5 lead when he knocked out Kyle Barker 2 & 1 and Philip Kruse squared against Jason Rossiter to secure a 6.5 – 5.5 victory for the Daisies.

The SA Universities team (USSA) rode a 2.5 – 1.5 Foursomes lead to a tightly contested 6.5 – 5.5 victory against Western Province.

Phillip Swanepoel, Clayton Mansfield and Andrew van der Knaap scored the winning blows for USSA in the Singles, but Christian Helmbold, Geno Belfiore and Paul Colditz reeled in points for Province. It came down to the last two games, but Andrè van Zyl and Luke Jerling battled to halve their games to secure the win for USSA.

ROUND ONE SCORES – Click HERE

ROUND ONE LOG – Click HERE

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

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