Sole limps to yet another victory
The tournament attracted a record number of entries this year.
Gavin Sole added to his collection of titles by winning the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Closed at San Lameer Country Club last Sunday, but not without incident.
His four shot winning margin, thanks to rounds of 68 and 72, doesn’t tell the full story as he nearly withdrew after 11 holes.
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The problem was that he lost his footing on the stairs on the side of the steep 11th tee, and in preventing a tumble, pulled a muscle in his thigh.
He still drove the green on the 12th, almost on one leg, finishing up like Roger Federer might do while chasing down and successfully executing a top-spin forehand winner from deep behind the baseline.
Sole’s only wobble came at the start of the afternoon round when he took what definitely wasn’t a performance enhancing drug – a muscle relaxant which he claims caused him to lose concentration for a few holes.
He made a bogey on the birdie opportunity par five 1st and then a double on the 2nd. He couldn’t focus properly and began to wonder if his closest competitors had spiked his cooldrink!
However, the problem seemed to sort itself out which, interestingly, coincided with a sudden improvement in his play.
Jason Gilliver, sporting a moderately trendy new haircut, was runner-up on rounds of 72 and 72.
Jarrod van Wyk, in third place on 75 and 74, was definitely the surprise name so high on the leaderboard.
The power-hitter is known for his matchplay abilities, but strokeplay has been a bit restrictive for him in the past.
He benefited from a rather large slice of luck on the 7th in the afternoon.
A tugged approach looked headed towards the pond but hit a rock and bounced high in the air, before landing softly on the pretty of the green – all the time obeying Jarrod’s bellowed commands from up on the fairway.
“You’d think it could have finished on the actual green,” he grinned.
Mitch Hampson was next on 74 and 76, followed by Sean Baker who had 82 and 70.
Graham Fabricius, trying out his new blades, was tied for sixth with David Rush. They had scores of 73-79 and 72-80 respectively.
David’s morning round unravelled a bit on the 16th where he it into the hazard, and then came across a snake while fishing his ball out of the water.
“Looks like you walked on water a bit there,” chirped Jarrod as David put some respectful yet hasty distance between himself and the snake.
“It’s only a little variegated (spotted) bush snake, totally harmless,” laughed Gavin van Wyk, who leaned in for a closer look.
Ronnie Mtshaka was next on 76 and 77, followed by Koos Jacobs, who had 82 and 73, and George Bothma on 78 and 77.
Koos also lost his cellphone towards the end of the round, but fortunately found it when he went back out for a second look.
Elvis Khawula and the Cubitt twins Jack and Luke rounded out the top 10 on 158.
The B division was won by Grant Richards on 68 points, counting out Vusi Maphumulo.
Mot Moleele, playing in the B division, eagled the 5th hole, knocking in a sandwedge after a nice drive.
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