Western Cape golfers claim Sanlam Cancer Challenge glory

Golfers from the Western Cape dominated the finals of the 2016 Sanlam Cancer Challenge that was played at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Lambert’s Bay golfer De Villiers Uys – a local golfer from the Xamarin Country Club – accumulated 39 and 40 points to win the Sanlam Cancer Challenge Men’s overall title by a margin of seven points.
Jethro Funck from Royal Johannesburg Country Club claimed the number two position with 72 stableford points for the tournament.

“On every hole I stepped onto the tee boxes and told myself to focus on doing what was needed to make par on that particular hole” said Uys. Having struggled with his driver on the first day of the tournament, Uys did not believe he had any chance of winning.

Uys opted to tee off with a hybrid, a four or five iron and gradually phased in his driver as he gained confidence in his swing.

“Fortunately I did not miss a single fairway with my driver on the second and final day of the event and that made quite a difference. My approach shots were not great but at least I got into the hole, up and down with a two-putt and sometimes a three-putt, because where I come from the greens are not nearly as fast. My bedroom carpet is this fast!” Uys chuckled.

The Sanlam Cancer Challenge Women’s overall title was won by Devonvale Country Club’s Louise Olivier with scores of 39 and 35, edging out Paarl Country Club’s Maggie Minnie by two points.

“My strategy was to pick up two points per hole and have fun,” said Olivier.

“Everything just clicked and I got off the tee boxes well which gave me better approach shots onto the greens. I think the magnitude of the Sanlam Cancer Challenge final and playing at the Gary Player Country Club brought out the best in me,” said Olivier.

The support from her club also played a roll.

“My club captain kept a close eye on the live scoring and kept the club updated via a WhatsApp group. The messages of support and encouragement I received on the group motivated me a lot,” said Olivier.