Tiaan Richter, Match-Play Champion
The annual GNGU Match-play championship has been won by Tiaan Richter. In the B-division Cleo Jordaan has been crowned winner.
The championship is started off by a thirty six hole Stroke-play championship. The top 8 eight finishers contest the in the A division, whilst the B division consists of the remaining best placed B division participants.
This year Duan Denner and Ruben Bakker entered the Championship in the B division, but played so well in the Stroke-play leg that they found themselves competing in the A division Match-play section. A phenomenal achievement in its own right. The Juniors contested on an Akasia CC track that was in a foul mood. With hard and fast greens and strong winds on the day only four scores under 80 were recorded. Two of these scores belong to Hawk Wolf who comfortably won the Stroke-play event.
After Tuesday’s Stroke-play event the top eight of each division congregated on Akasia CC’s 1st and 10th T’s at 06h57 on Wednesday. In the A division the results followed the form of the players, with the top 4 ranked players all beating the bottom 4 ranked players. In the B division Divan de Beer was responsible for the only upset by narrowly beating the top ranked Stephan Geyser 1up.
In the A division, Hawk Wolf after an easy 1st round 7 and 6 win walked into an inspired Koketso Mokumo. Hawk eventually lost to the SAGDB member, but was particularly gracious in defeat and was full of praise for the Klipgat settlement resident. Tiaan Richter beat Braam Roux, who some believe may have been sporting a little school holiday “rust”.
Cleo Jordaan, B Div Match-Play winner
The B division was fiercely contested with the “friendly assassin” Cleo Jordaan beating Divan de Beer and Janco Breedt beating Jean Bodenstein.
The final of the Match-play would be contested over 36 holes on Thursday and by 07h02 the four finalists were on the 1st putting green. Tiaan Richter kept his composure and his methodical approach to his game to eventually triumph over Koketso. He enlisted the help of his sister Jo-Lindie to do duty on the bag and it proved to be an inspired move.
Janco Breedt in the B division (who had an epic battle with Hannah Venter over 21 holes) squared up against Cleo who is sporting a rich vein of form. Janco’s birthday some two months ago forced him to move from the forward T’s to the normal men’s T’s. This distance difference was overcome by sheer willpower to make it into the final. Cleo would however not be deterred. Placing second in the recent NOMADS Girls tournament held at Orkney in her division and sporting a win in the GNGU Women’s Open Match-play B division, the Akasia CC member made it two from two.
An honourable mention has to go to Ivan Verster. This 11 year old made it to the final sixteen. He had to give away 5 strokes, did it with a spring in his step and conducted himself as a true gentleman. A great addition to our junior ranks. To all the parents who assisted, supported and encouraged, thank you. To Akasia CC for being such gracious hosts, its management and members, congratulations on a great event.
Tiaan, Koketso, Janco and Cleo