LUSAKA, Zambia (8 May 2015) – South Africa claimed their 17th successive title in the All-Africa Junior Golf Championships with an emphatic 55 stroke victory at Lusaka Golf Club on Friday.
The South African quartet followed an opening 218 with successive rounds of 217 and posted a final round 222 on a tough scoring day to complete a wire-to-wire victory on two-under-par 874.
Zimbabwe combined for a 233 to edge out Zambia for second place by seven strokes on 929.
The silver medallists will join South Africa for a second year running at the prestigious Junior Golf World Cup in Japan later this year.
Central Gauteng pair Marco Steyn and Dylan Naidoo and Keegan de Lange from Gauteng North produced South Africa’s final round partnership, while Boland’s Herman Loubser signed for a non-counting 77.
Steyn fired a two-under-par 71, while fellow TuksSport Golf Academy member Naidoo posted a 75.
De Lange from the Gavan Levenson Academy registered a 76.
“It was a very blustery day and the set-up was much harder for the final day,” said national coach Llewellyn van Leeuwen.
“Marco played great all week and also lifted the Individual Gross Championship title. Not much wrong with his overall game, but if he can sharpen up his short game before Japan, he will be a real contender at the Junior World Cup.
“Dylan was solid once again, but made one mistake at the seventh and paid with a double bogey. He failed to take advantage of the par-fives on the back nine after perfect tee shots, so he also needs to hone his short game skills ahead of Japan.
“There is always one round that frustrates and Keegan had his today. Sometimes a little frustration on the greens can lead you to hit some bad shots at the easy holes and that doubles the problem.
“Herman also played really well again, but made eight on the easy par-five 13th and finished with double on par-five 18th.
“Patience remain key for this team, but they are very driven and prepared to work hard. They gave everything and more this week and were always happy to practice a bit more and learn from their mistakes. A very well-deserved victory for these fine young men.”
FINAL RESULT
874 South Africa 218 217 217 222
929 Zimbabwe 232 234 230 233
936 Zambia 238 233 230 235
962 Kenya 237 240 239 246
981 Swaziland 245 240 248 248
992 Uganda 249 252 249 242
993 Tunisia 252 244 253 244
1002 Namibia 258 246 254 244
1035 Botswana 268 259 259 249
1051 Mauritius 257 280 254 260
PHOTO: The South African team will carry a 44 stroke lead into the final round of the All-Africa Junior Championship at Lusaka Golf Club on Friday; credit SAGA.