Barkhuizen brothers produce a Classic
Friendships were renewed and there was much laughter and banter during the week.
SPORT can be as cruel as it can be kind, that’s what makes it so fascinating to play and watch.
Take the Southbroom Men’s Amateur Classic for example, played at the scenic Southbroom Golf Club over four days last week.
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There was a little wind on days one and two and 12 teams were within three shots of the lead.
On ‘Moving Day’ (round three) Barkhuizen brothers Graham and Guy rumbled through the field with a stunning 53 points. But it wasn’t the best score.
Chris Miller, after starting with a double bogey (but being saved by his partner Tony Routledge who made a three-pointer) played a round for the ages, shooting 75 off his 18 handicap. They had 54 points to get into contention.
“This was truly great golf for a guy who hasn’t been 100 percent well but proof that good scoring was not impossible with the correct strategy. Too many players smashed drivers off the tees and spent the day in trouble,” said pro Derek James.
The course played dry and fast with firm, quick greens, so shorter than normal. “If you got it right the players could put some very good scores together, which is what happened,” said Derek.
This put the two teams well clear of the field and playing together on the last day.
Just when everyone thought it was a two-horse race, Bernie Vorster and Des Erasmus had other ideas, sneaking in under the radar with 51 points to eventually finish only one point behind the two leading teams.
Graham and Guy made 45 points, catching Chris and Tony who had 44 points.
The tie meant a countout which went the way of the best last day, so the Barkhuizen brothers were the victors. Graham has won this event before, with his twin brother Craig in 2005.
It was the second time that Chris and Tony have lost the Classic on a countout. Hopefully, like Sergio Garcia at the Majors, they’ll eventually bag a win.
Once again, the weather was sparkling, the food tasty and the drink refreshing. Friendships were renewed and there was much laughter and banter during the week.
Thanks were extended to umbrella sponsor Barry Elliott of Hibiscus Brokers, as well as to Mopar Jeep and Team Climax, and Team DRC, as well as to the rest of the sponsors, too numerous to mention.
Best dressed were Xavier Pollett and Terence Barkhuizen. Best team spirit prize went to Team Climax.
Leading scores:
1 Graham Barkhuizen and Guy Barkhuizen 186 points; 2 Chris Miller and Tony Routledge 186; 3 Bernie Vorster and Des Erasmus 185; 4 John Neaves and Don Osbourn 174; 5 Rob Verseput and Raul Garbini 173; 6 Ig Erasmus and Rudi Venter 173; 7 Peter Volck and Paul Volck 173; 8 Clive Miller and Alister Miller 172; 9 Jan Pienaar and Dave Donald 172; 10 Darrell Bailie and Jacques Kok 171; 11 Barend Kok and Arthur Percival 171;
12 Bob Thomas and Pat Cronin 170; 13 Keith Joseph and Michael Joseph 170; 14 Grant Harding and George Farndell 170; 15 Graham Volck and Michael Volck 166.
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