Mixed fortunes for SAGDB players at Fish River

Eleven players from the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) competed in the recent inter-provincial Fish River Challenge. The event, which took place over three days at the Gary Player-designed Fish River Sun Golf Course, was contested between teams from Western Province, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Free State and Southern Cape.

The most encouraging performance was recorded by Boland player Dylan Jacobs, who finished 6th overall in u/12 competition. The youngster from Darling was just 17 over par after his 45 holes.

"His nine-hole scores were 40, 40, 40, 41 and 38, which is brilliant at his age," said the SAGDB's Boland manager Andre Rossouw. "He has really improved beyond our own expectations. He made us extremely proud."

Western Province's Dylan Scholtz also displayed good potential, finishing 18th after consistent nine-hole scores of 41, 44, 40, 43 and 43. Chuma Adonis from Border played very well over the first 36 holes, carding nine-hole scores of 42, 40, 39 and 43. Unfortunately a final nine of 51 pushed him back into a tie for 20th place in the 36-player field.

Franklin Manchest from Southern Cape finished tied for 23rd, Eastern Province's wonder-girl, 10-year old Jamie-Lee Daniels, ended 29th, and Border's Mangaliso Mnoto was two shots behind in 30th position.

Unfortunately, SAGDB players didn't fare as well in the u/14 competition. The best performance came from 12-year old Rushane Peters from Eastern Province and Western Province's Ruben Raubenheimer who finished tied for 33rd in the 56 player field.

Keelan Afrika from Boland ended tied 40th, Boland's Nesville Croy came 44th, and the Southern Cape's Brandon Oliphant finished 52nd.

There was however an excellent performance from former-SAGDB star Kim Daniels. The Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation player carded scores of 79, 79 and 74 to end in ninth position.

About the SAGDB

Founded in 1999, the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) is the only body officially tasked with growing the game of golf in South Africa. The SAGDB is a non-profit organisation (with section 18A donations tax exemption status) and is fully endorsed by government and all of South Africa's official golfing bodies. Through its PGA-approved coaching programme, the board currently has the capacity to coach 3,500 children per week in ten regions. The SAGDB is sponsored by SAA, City Lodge, the Pro Shop, ProRange and ExpandaSign.