SA amateurs failed to defeat the Scots for the second time in a row
Mbombela's local golfing star, Thriston Lawrence (17), who is currently on a two-month overseas tour with South Africa’s top amateurs, failed to take the sting out of their defeat when team lost 11-7 to the Scots in a two-day test at Western Gailes Golf Club, Scotland this past weekend.
The two-time Sanlam SA Amateur champion and recent Lytham Trophy winner, Thriston lost to Zander Culverwell on the last hole, while Scott Gibson put an exclamation mark on Scotland’s victory when he defeated Zander Lombard one up.
The Scots took a two-point lead at 5,5-3,5 into the second day and held their edge after a win, loss and half each in the morning foursomes. The South Africans fought vehemently to cancel the deficit in the afternoon singles, but the Scots proved too strong at home.
NJ Arnoldi and Louis Taylor combined to beat Bradley Neil and Jamie Savage 3 and 1 for South Africa’s only win in the foursomes.
Taylor carried his winning run to victory against Savage in the singles to claw back a point for South Africa after Arnoldi went down 2 and 1 to James Ross. Reigning SA stroke play champion Jason Smith went head-to-head with former Scottish boys champion Neil, but lost the battle 2 and 1. South African number-one, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, once again stemmed the bleeding and underlined his value in the team when he knocked out Jack McDonald 5 and 3 for another crucial point.
However, the final two matches went the way of the hosts.
