Mighty Modderfontein seal hat-trick
'This was by far the hardest one to win and we are absolutely thrilled with this third victory'
MODDERFONTEIN Golf Club mounted a spirited comeback in the final round to seal a hat-trick of victories in the Louis Oosthuizen SA Junior Club Team Championship at the Langebaan Country Estate on Tuesday.
Marco Steyn, Guy Waterhouse and Eric Wowor compiled a superb total of 221 and Modderfontein triumphed by three strokes on 689 over the Louis 57 Golf Academy.
“This was by far the hardest one to win and we are absolutely thrilled with this third victory,” said Modderfontein team manager, Lance Michler.
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“Marco, Eric, Guy and Dylan Naidoo showed incredible spirit, resilience and determination over the three rounds to pull it through.
“Regretfully, Langebaan had some difficulty with their greens and this resulted in a putting surface that was not up to the standard that the South African Golf Association (SAGA) or the representatives of the Louis 57 brand would usually present.
“SAGA didn’t learn of the situation in time to change the venue but all credit to the staff at Langebaan who did everything within their power to make the situation better for the players during the tournament.
“Given the state of the greens, the players really battled with scoring but our players committed to give the championship their best endeavour. I am incredibly proud that all four lads made our third successive victory a real team effort.”
The defending champions started strong with an opening 228 to share the first round lead with Rondebosch Golf Club, however, a second round 240 left them trailing the Louis 57 quartet by eight strokes.
“The players were smarting after the second round and I shared their frustration,” Michler said.
“Dylan spoke to the guys at dinner and, after a two-minute team talk, the lads were back to form and determined to fight for our third victory.”
Naidoo spearheaded the challenge over the first two rounds but for a third successive year, fellow TuksSport Golf Academy member Steyn led the final round assault.
Steyn fired an even-par 72, while Waterhouse returned a 74 and Wowor registered a 75.
“Marco really came through for the team with that superb final round,” Michler said
“This team really plays for each other and rally around each other and it was fantastic to see how Guy and Eric stepped it up when Dylan got off to a very bad start.
“Eric also played a champions innings and I have to commend Guy, who incidentally was just appointed 2016 head boy at Hilton College. He hasn’t teamed up with Dylan, Eric and Marco in this event before, but he was 100 percent committed to making it three for three for Modderfontein.
“The Louis Oosthuizen SA Junior Club Team Championship is among the most coveted titles on the national junior circuit and, despite the hardships this week, this team is proud as punch to lift the Louis trophy for the third year running.”
