SOUTH Coasters have always known that golfer Andrew Curlewis (30) has the talent. But up until recently he perhaps hasn’t quite fulfilled it all.
All that has changed. Following after his win at the Wild Waves Challenge at the Wild Coast Sun CC two weeks ago, he made it two in a row on the Sunshine Tour by winning the Vodacom Origin of Golf tournament at Parys Golf and Country Estate in the Free State.
This time around he needed an extra hole, where he defeated Lyle Rowe to lift the title. He has rocketed up the rankings and importantly, leapt up the leaderboard of the Investec Cup (something similar to the FedEx Cup, just a little less cash).
Still, it’s important and will open doors for the Margate professional.
Curlewis and Rowe finished regulation play tied for the lead on seven under par with respective final rounds of 68 and 72.
Curlewis thought he’d thrown the tournament when, playing the par five 18th and tied with Rowe in the group behind him, he parred the last.
“I thought it was gone there. I really thought I’d have to at least finish eight under to stand a chance,” said Curlewis. But then Rowe pulled his approach way left of the green and went on to also make par.
Curlewis birdied the 18th, the first playoff hole, to take the title. Rowe hit his into a hazard to torpedo his chances.
“I’m lost for words. Winning two in a row is an amazing feeling,” said Curlewis.
Interestingly, it was one of those moments in professional golf when the men carrying their bags took centre stage.
Veli and Vuli Hlophe, twins from Swaziland, found themselves competing against each other in the playoff as the caddies for Curlewis and Rowe respectively.
It was Veli who walked away the winner over his brother, with Curlewis claiming his second win on the Sunshine Tour in as many weeks.
But it was a proud moment for the tour caddies who, when the two brothers left with their players for the playoff, immediately sent somebody to go and buy a bottle of champagne to toast the twins!
