Smith takes Ekurhuleni Open
Kyle McClatchie and NJ Arnoldi were the two best placed Ekurhuleni golfers
REIGNING South African stroke play champion, Jason Smith, held off a determined challenge from Gauteng’s Matthew Spacey to win the Ekurhuleni Open Stroke Play Championship by one stroke at Germiston Golf Club on October 5.
The 20-year-old Irene golfer, who debuted for South Africa at the World Amateur Team Championships in Japan last month, carded rounds of 68 and 67 to grab a share of the 36-hole lead with Gauteng North SA inter-provincial team mate, Hendrikus Stoop.
Smith carded a third round 73 to lead at eight under, but Spacey, who lagged five shots off the pace, fired a 69 to move within a shot of the leader.
Smith reeled in two birdies early in the final round and kept clear of the pack with a string of pars through nine holes before racking in another birdie at the par-five 13th.
Although the TuksSport Golf Academy member stumbled near the end of his round with bogeys at the 15th and 17th, a birdie at the 16th and par at the short 18th helped Smith to a one-shot victory on 10-under-par 278.
Spacey also racked up five birdies, but his bid for victory was derailed with bogeys at the 16th and 18th.
Kyle McClatchie and NJ Arnoldi were the two best placed Ekurhuleni golfers. The pair tied for seventh with former Sanlam SA amateur champion, Ryan Dreyer, on two under 286.
