Roses claim historic first SA IPT victory
“I am incredibly proud of the way our players held their cool under incredible pressure from some formidable opponents,” says Martin Saaiman.
Ekurhuleni fulfilled its destiny with a historic first time victory in the 59th South African Inter-provincial at Mbombela Golf Club on September 20.
Groomed for success by former Ekurhuleni president Martin Saaiman since 2012, the youthful side defeated 2016 champions Southern Cape 8-4 on day one to launch their victory march.
On day two, the Roses rallied from 4-0 down in the foursomes with six singles wins to draw against Gauteng North and on day three, the side routed defending champions Central Gauteng 7-5.
A decisive 8-4 win over Western Province kept the side on track.
In a pressure-packed final round clash with KwaZulu-Natal, the eight teenagers once again mobilised from 2.5-1.5 down in the foursomes to win six singles, mowing down the men in black 7.5-4.5 to put an exclamation mark on an unbeaten week in Mpumalanga.
“I am beyond words,” said South African Golf Association vice president Saaiman.
“I am so incredible proud of what this team has accomplished. We joined the premier SA IPT in 2000 and since we gained A-section status in 2013. We have been working towards this. We were denied a home victory at Glendower in 2015 and that’s when I started grooming this team.
“I have been with them since their Nomads SA boys u-13 debuts in 2012 and when I sent them into the lion’s den at the SA IPT at Bryanston two years ago, people thought I was mad, but I knew they were going to be champions one day. And today, they came, they saw and they conquered.”
“I am incredible proud of the way our players held their cool under incredible pressure from some formidable opponents. There were no stars on our team; just eight boys who played for each other and I applaud the determination and resilience they showed on such a high-pressure stage. This victory is theirs to celebrate.”
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