SAGDB players shine at Bryan Porrit u/23 Championships

Fourteen past and present players from the SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) in KwaZulu-Natal competed at the recent Bryan Porrit u/23 Championships held at Umkomaas Golf Club. The event is one of the biggest u/23 tournaments in the region.

The tournament was a great success for the SAGDB, with two of its current stars winning the 1st and 2nd nett prizes. 17-year old Sphelele Mbokazi shot rounds of 77 and 73 off his 7 handicap to finish on a nett score of 136, while 15-year old Nkululeko Khumalo recorded a nett score of 139 off his 15 handicap.

“They were very excited about this performance, since it was their first time winning at an event organised by the KZN Golf Union,” said the SAGDB’s development manager for KZN Joseph Kunene. “They both won vouchers, which they used to buy golf equipment. When they saw me the following week, they came running to show me the items that they bought and I could see that the excitement in their eyes!”

Sphelele’s gross score of 150 was also good enough to secure him 11th place overall.

Former SAGDB player and current SAGDB coach in Ethekweni, Calvin Coelho, finished 8th on a score of 147.

The SAGDB players were chosen to compete in the event based on their performances in club events. The players currently part of the KZN president’s team were also given entries. The costs of participation were covered by the KZN Golf Union.