‘Big Fish’ hopes to hook elusive title
The tournament usually brings out the best in the top players.
TO date, the Champion of Champions at Kloof Country Club has been a tournament that has ‘gotten away’ from the Big Fish, aka Gavin Sole.
The Southbroom golfer, who is also the KZN captain and veteran of numerous interprovincials, will fancy his chances this weekend, especially coming off a 63 at Margate last week, where he pipped an ‘out for a stroll’ Andrew Curlewis by one.
He won the KZN Invitation at Kloof a few months ago and seems to like the lie of the land.
But Sole will have to see off the youth brigade to clinch the elusive title. And then there are a few ‘veterans’ in the mix as well, such as Paul Blackman (Kloof), Corne van Deventer (Vryheid) and, of course, Brad Davison (Royal Durban). Both are former professionals.
Murray Gilson is a past champion (twice in fact) and in sublime form at the moment and Graemme Inggs (Durban CC) can never be counted out. Brendon Adlem (Cotswold) has burst onto the mid amateur scene this year and could spring a surprise, like his clubmate Brad Trevethan did two years ago.
Dudley Dowling (Tanglewood), a former Kloof champ, knows how to get it around this scenic layout, and will fancy a little run at the title.
However, when it comes to age, they have to make way for super veteran Ivan Curlewis of Margate, the current KZN Golf Union president, who has won the club championships 34 times over six decades. Sadeak Khader is another who fits in the veterans’ category, a wily campaigner with a sublime short game.
When it comes to the charge of the youth brigade, there are at least five players who spring to mind who are capable of winning this tournament, namely Altaaf Bux (Port Shepstone), Phiwa Mkhoma (Toti), Malcolm Mitchell (Howick), Greg McKay (Mount Edgecombe) and Nishalin Nelson (Umkomaas). Then of course there is the defending champion Leorin Pillay of Umdoni Park, although he hasn’t been in his best form during the past few months.
The women’s section looks set to be more exciting that it has been in years, with multiple winner Tiffany Avern-Taplin (Mount Edgecombe) and up-and-coming star Michaela Fletcher (Maritzburg GC) the two clear favourites.
* Meanwhile, the KZN team is putting together the final touches in preparation for the SA Interprovincial tournament at Rustenburg starting on September 23. The team comprises Gavin Sole (c), Bryce Bibby, Kevin Rundle, Christiaan van der Merwe, Elton James, Ryan Birnie, Greg Royston and Greg Upneck.
Some of them have played in the IGT events which have started in the province. In fact, Bibby tops the log at present after three events – he almost beat pro Michael Hollick at Selborne recently, eventually having to settle for second place.
