Voster flies into SA Boys U-15 lead

Southern Cape’s Martin Vorster made a flying start with a five-under-par 67 to grab the first round lead in the Nomads South African Boys U-15 Championship on Wednesday.

The 14-year-old from Pinnacle Point made light work of the windy conditions at Koro Creek Bushveld Golf Estate to notch an eagle and a trio of birdies after dropping just one shot at the par three seventh.

“I was a little annoyed, but considering the conditions, I really can’t complain with just the one bogey on the card,” Vorster said.

Casey Jarvis from State Mines, who won the South African U-15 Challenge last year, made a strong case for another national under-15 title with an opening 68.

The 13-year-old Jarvis overturned a lone bogey at the second with a birdie at the fifth and four more gains saw him pull within a shot of Vorster.

“To be honest, we didn’t expect anyone to break 70 given the overcast and very windy conditions, so all credit to Martin and Casey for setting the benchmark so high,” said David Younge from the South African Golf Association.

“The players had to negotiate a stiff two-club wind that raged for the full 18 holes around a course that places a premium on accuracy off the tee. On the plus side, though, the course is in immaculate condition and the greens are running at a fair pace and very true.

“It was great to watch Martin and Casey peppering the flags from great positions in the fairways – they definitely had the measure of the course and it looked like the wind had no effect on them.”

Luka Stanisavljevic, Yurav Premlall, Liam van Deventer and Kieron van Wyk were left with some work to do to catch up to the leading duo after the quartet produced rounds of even-par 72 to tie for third.

First Round Scores (top 10)
67 Martin Vorster
68 Casey Jarvis
72 Luka Stanisavljevic; Yurav Premlall; Liam van Deventer; Kieron van Wyk
73 Jordan Duminy
75 Emerson Bam; Malan Potgieter; Matthew Dennis; Zander Lombard; Francois van Rensburg; Christopher Bagnall

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