Learning curve for Saulez at SA Open
The youngster is making solid progress to one day playing among the eilte.
Matt Saulez of Durban Country Club had the tournament of his life, making the cut at the BMW South African Open at Glendower Golf Club as an amateur.
Not only did he do it on debut, but he also had to pre-qualify. And he got to as high as a tie for 14th at the halfway mark, eventually finishing on +2 in a tie for 69th with scores of 69, 70, 76 and 75.
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Saulez has played some high level golf but this was different.
This was against some of the best players in the world, including the in form Branden Grace, and SA major winners Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel.
Obviously, it was a learning experience for the young amateur.
“I’d say I now have a much better understanding of the areas that I need to work on in my game. The biggest thing I learnt was decision making, because if there’s any doubt on those kinds of courses, you’re not going to get a good result and you will get punished,” he said.
Overall, he enjoyed the atmosphere of playing in a big event among the professionals.
The experience he gained last year with the GolfRSA national squad trip to the United Kingdom, playing in the United States and in Argentina, really prepared him well for this week.
Despite his promising golf, he was some way off the leading amateur, with the Freddie Tait Cup going to his good friend Kyle McClatchie, who finished T15 on -10.
* In terms of premier league, things get going on January 28. Unfortunately it seems at this stage the Northern KZN team won’t be part of it.
They have opted out due to a lack of finance and player availability for the eight games required to be fulfilled.
It appears that their fixtures will become walkovers for the other teams in their pool.
Last year’s relegated team Southern KZN will remain in the A division.
In the opening games, Durban CC will play Maritzburg Golf Club at home, with Kloof at home to Toti.
In the other pool, Royal Durban will have a walkover against Northern KZN and Cotswold Downs will be at home to Umhlali CC.
* Deon Germishuys from Western Province collected his first trophy of the season with a runaway victory in the Nomads National Order of Merit Coastal at Royal Durban Golf Club on Friday.
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He scored 210 over three rounds to win by seven from Sam Simpson, also Western Province.
Luke Mayo from Mount Edgecombe Country Club finished third on 219.
Central Gauteng’s Cole Stevens was fourth on 221 and Jonathan Broomhead from Durban Country Club fifth on 223.
Sebastian Terblanche (Royal Durban GC) and Nikhil Gopal (Victoria CC) tied for sixth on 224.
Terblanche did however win the KZN qualfier for the South African Amateur Strokeplay at Umhlali CC last Sunday.
He beat Dylan Underwood in a play-off. Underwood will be the fourth alternate.
* It’s the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Open at Dundee CC this Sunday (21st). It’s a good opportunity for players trying to make provincial teams to chalk up some ranking points.
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