Williams secures senior title victory
“He overhauled Govender with five birdies in the first six holes and threw down the gauntlet with further gains at 13 and 14."
Modderfontein mid-amateur Steven Williams upstaged some of the country’s leading senior professionals to lift the South African Senior Open title at the Blue Valley Golf Estate on November 18.
Speaking on behalf of the South African Golf Association, Lali Stander said Williams lagged six shots off the pace from Rodger Govender at the start of the final round after posting rounds of 73 and 68 in the national championship.
“He overhauled Govender with five birdies in the first six holes and threw down the gauntlet with further gains at 13 and 14. The 54-year-old Central Gauteng mid-amateur erased a late bogey at 17 with a birdie finish for a 68 to triumph by two strokes on seven-under-par 209.
“Govender settled for second with rounds of 67, 68 and 76, while Ashley Roestoff finished alone in third on two under 214 after carding rounds of 68, 74 and 73,” Stander said.
She said Rocky Tlhabayane, who lost the 250,000 SA Senior Masters to Robbie Stewart in a seven-hole play-off at Witbank Golf Club, closed with a five under 67. He edged out Bobby Lincoln, Langley Perrins and Michael Green for fourth on even-par 216.
“In 2013, Williams finished third behind older brother Chris, when Hendrik Buhrmann won the esteemed championship. He had lofty aspirations to beat his brother in 2014, but torn ligaments in his right hand meant spending many frustrating months on the bench,” she said.
“So Chris took advantage of my absence to win the SA Senior Open last year. It’s probably a very good thing he couldn’t make it, because if he saw me leading, he would have chased me to the bitter end,” Williams joked.
He said while he was celebrating his victory on Wednesday, Chris won the Sylvania BMW PGA Legends Pro-Am on the Australian PGA Legends Tour.
Williams said he took a lot of confidence from beating some of the biggest names in senior professional golf in South Africa.
“When I returned to competitive golf this year, I led in three Mid-Amateur Opens, but I didn’t pull one of them through. I tied for second in Stellenbosch and had top 10 finishes at Westlake and East London Golf Club,” he said.
He said his win rebuilt his confidence.
“This victory has reinforced my self-belief. I take my hat off to Fidelity for their support and sponsorship of senior pro golf and for hosting this event,” Williams said.
Stander said the other amateurs who competed in this year’s event were also impressive.
