Malcolm Mitchell makes it three in a row … and closes in on number 1 ranking
The golfer is arguably the best amateur in the country at the moment and the rankings should soon reflect that.
MALCOLM Mitchell (Kloof Country Club) has developed a serious love relationship with the Ekurhuleni Open, now having won it three times on the trot.
There’s no hate at all when he gets to this part of the world (Benoni Country Club), none at all.
To win it once is good, twice is something special, but three in a row? That’s extraordinary, especially considering the quality of the golfers in the region.
Ironically, the chasing pack comprised three of his KwaZulu-Natal teammates, in Matt Saulez and Clayton Mansfield (both Durban Country Club) and Gregory McKay (Mount Edgecombe Country Club).
Mitchell had rounds of 70, 73 and 68 to win by two shots. “I’m extremely chuffed with that,” he said afterwards.
He was helped a little by some late-afternoon lightning which saw the last round cancelled.
He is currently ranked third in the country but is closing in on the top spot.
There was a three-way tie for second, shared by Martin Vorster from Pinnacle Point Golf Club, and Saulez and McKay.
Saulez had rounds of 67, 70 and 76. It wasn’t the finish he was looking for, and that first national win remains elusive, but it won’t stay that way forever.
McKay also had his chances, with rounds of 72, 68 and 73, and will take confidence knowing that he is also getting closer.
Mansfield finished fifth on scores of 74, 69 and 71.
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Louis Albertse (Dundee CC) was tied for tenth on 74, 74 and 72, with Byron Coetzee (Cotswold Downs) producing his best finish in a national event, 13th, on 77, 74 and 70.
Gregg Gilson (Pretoria CC), son of past KZN golfer Murray, showed he’s capable of some big results, with rounds of 74, 73 and 74 to tie for 13th.
Mitchell is now getting ready to play for South Africa in Argentina, alongside Saulez.
* Meanwhile, in other good news the KwaZulu-Natal women’s team won the B section at the South African Interprovincial played at Mossel Bay Golf Club.
The team comprised Tania Lyon (manager – Eshow CC), Jessica Shurety (Kloof CC), Bronwyn Rae (captain – Mount Edgecombe CC), Elsuné Roode (Durban Country Club) and Lizzie Currie (Southbroom GC).
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It was a solid showing after losing out to Southern Cape in a count-out at Umhlali Country Club last year.
“I am incredibly proud of everyone on the team for pulling together the way we did over the four days of the championship,” said captain Rae.
“We were devastated when we were relegated in 2015 and it feels absolutely fantastic to go back to A-Section,” she said.
She explained how hard the team had worked on combination for this year’s foursomes, to enable a fast start in the matchplay format.
She also thanked manager Tania Lyon for her unwavering support, doing all the running around this week and just paving the way for them to finish in the winner’s circle.
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