Seniors sweep Madalas ahead of Indwe Senior Open

The SA Senior side defeated the Madalas 8.5-3.5 to claim victory in the South African Madala Challenge played at Fancourt in George on Tuesday.

The curtain-raiser for the annual Indwe Risk Services Senior Amateur Open Championship has grown in popularity over the past few years and provides the perfect warm-up for 16 of the country’s top seniors Super Seniors ahead of their flagship event.

The two eight-man teams went head-to-head at the Gary Player designed Outeniqua and Montagu courses, which will also host this year’s Senior Open battle.

The SA Seniors claimed an early edge when they defeated the Madalas 2.5 – 1.5 at the Outeniqua course in the morning foursomes, and it was full speed ahead in the afternoon singles.

Colin Mavuso continued the momentum for the Seniors with a 5&4 win against Hans Giessen and skipper Lawrence Franklin added a second point with a 4&3 win over Rinus van Niekerk. Free State & Northern Cape winner Ramon Rahme claimed a 2&1 over Gavin Aswegen and 2012 Indwe SA Senior Open champion Mellette Hendrikse took their tally to four points with a 2&1 result against Steve Cullen.

Senior Order of Merit leader Francois le Roux downed Basil Naidoo 2&1 and Eastern Province Senior Open champion Norman Philips drove home the SA Seniors’ victory with a 1-up win against Schalk Naude.

The Madalas’ two points were secured by three-time Indwe SA Senior Open champion, Jock Wellington, who defeated Lowveld Senior Open champion Morgan Phillips and Christo Reyneke, who took William Skinner 3&2.

But all this will be forgotten and it will be every man for himself when the first round of the Indwe Risk Services Senior Open tees off at the Montagu course on Wednesday.