Southbroom to host southern ‘Open’
It's the last tournament of the year in which players can earn order of merit points.
SOUTHBROOM Golf Club lies in wait for the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Open to be played this coming Sunday.
The course is in pretty good condition considering the drought the region is experiencing.
Although a number of top players will not be making the trip south, there is still a decent field, with more than 80 having entered by Monday this week.
The obvious favourite is KwaZulu-Natal captain, veteran Gavin Sole, on his home track.
But there are a number of youngsters emerging who may fancy their chances.
One is Kalvin van Rensburg of Toti, who won the recent Maritzburg Open.
Another is Royal Durban’s Liam McIlroy, who won this tournament at Port Shepstone Country Club last year.
Jason Broomhead of Durban Country Club is a winner already this season.
Having won the Invitational at Mount Edgecombe earlier in the season, he will look to add a trophy to his growing collection.
He has enjoyed a breakout season and narrowly missed making the men’s IPT team this year.
Like most coastal courses, it’s a layout that favours accuracy over out-and-out distance, so Mount Edgecombe’s Reece van Straaten may need to rein in his natural attacking instincts off the tee if he wants to be in the mix late on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking of juniors, Royal Durban’s Sebastian Terblanche has enjoyed rapid improvement this year. He’s a reserve for the junior team, and is certainly an enthusiastic player.
Veteran country districts stalwart Sean Baker of Kokstad may come close as well. He played some outstanding golf in the wind during Interclub two weeks ago, and may be one of very few players who hopes it blows a gale this Sunday.
His good mate Marc Bormann of Southbroom is one player who will most certainly be praying for some calm weather.
An interesting name in the draw is that of Victor Mbhele of Margate Country Club, who has not played a tournament for a number of years.
He’s back playing serious golf and is already down to a one handicap. It will be interesting to see how he shapes.
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