Venter keeps command at Clovelly
Centurion amateur Albert Venter kept pedal to the metal and extended his overnight lead in the Western Province Stroke Play Championship at Clovelly Country Club on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old made the most of the wind-still conditions on Monday to open with a nine-under-par 63, but had a tougher time of it as a 35 km per hour South-Westerly wind showed up in the second round.
He offset two bogeys with five birdies for a three under 69 to keep control at 12-under-par 132 and move another step closer to a second victory this season.
The 2016 Africa Amateur Stroke Play champion finished five strokes clear of North West golfer Danie van Niekerk, who posted a 72.
Unlike the first round when almost 40 players broke par, only 24 players managed to finish in red numbers in the blustery conditions.
“The wind definitely played a major role today,” Venter said. “The layout at Clovelly reminds me a lot of Paarl Golf Club. The fairways are quite generous, but they are tree-lined and there is a lot of trouble off the tee if you’re not striking the ball well.
“When you put the wind in the mix, accuracy is at a premium and every poor tee shot is punished. It’s a really challenging course in terms of the greens, too, because you have to hit it on the right side to have any chance of birdie.
“I made a few blunders, but overall I am hitting the ball well and I’m really pleased that I managed to protect the lead.”
Venter leads by six from fellow HPC Golf Academy member Marco Steyn, who carded a second successive 69 to tie for third with Boland’s Neswill Croy and local favourite Gerlou Roux.
Croy returned a two under 70, while Roux – the reigning Western Province Match Play champion – registered a 72.
SECOND ROUND SCORES – Top 20
132 Albert Venter 63 69
137 Danie van Niekerk 65 72
138 Marco Steyn 69 69; Neswill Croy 68 70; Gerlou Roux 66 72
139 Elmo Barnard 72 67; Louis Albertse 71 68; Marcus (Jnr) Smal 68 71; Dylan Naidoo 68 71; Kyle McClatchie 66 73
140 Noel Anderson 74 66; Andre Nel 70 70; Jovan Rebula 70 70; Brandon Cloete 67 73
141 Jason Rossiter 69 72; Kyle Barker 69 72; Cameron Johnston 69 72; Darin de Smidt 69 72
142 Luca Filippi 72 70; Herman Loubser 71 71; Paul Boshoff 70 72; Angus Ellis-Cole 70 72; Quintin Wilsnach 68 74
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of the South African Golf Association.