Matt Saulez on the bag as good mate Jovan Rebula wins ‘The Amateur’
It's been quite a time for the GolfRSA squad in the UK.
IF, for whatever reason playing golf for a living doesn’t work out for Matt Saulez (Durban CC), there’s an indication he could do pretty well as a bag man.
He helped get his good friend Jovan Rebula into the history books by caddying for him after he (Saulez) had been knocked out in the early rounds of the 123rd Amateur Championship in Aberdeen, Scotland last week.
The last (and only) South African to have done so was Bobby Cole in Carnoustie in 1966.
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In an article written by Lali Stander for Golf RSA, Rebula said having the ‘calm’ Saulez on the bag had certainly helped.
“Matt and I talked about keeping the hammer down and the momentum going. Having him on the bag over the last few rounds was a great experience. I can’t thank him enough,” he said.
Malcolm Mitchell of Kloof CC, who Rebula had beaten en route to the final, also lent support during the big match.
“These are friends for life and having them out there rooting for me was very special,” said Rebula.
He accomplished something his famous uncle, four-time Major champion Ernie Els, couldn’t accomplish in three tries.
Els played a part in the final at Royal Porthcawl in 1988, when he caddied for losing finalist Ben Fouchee.
LEAGUE
It’s probably unfair to say Royal Durban’s premier league win over Cotswold Downs (at Royal) was an upset, but it was definitely a surprise.
Perhaps motivated by being written off, Steve Young’s charges beat Cotswold 7,5-4,5 last Sunday.
They edged ahead in the foursomes 2,5-1,5 and maintained the edge in the afternoon.
Royal’s lower order of Sabelo Majola, Young, Kuben Nadrajah and Cedric Kunene all produced wins to secure the victory.
Lyall McNeill (Cotswold) got one over his good mate Brad Davison on the last hole in the ‘celeb’ match of the day.
Durban CC trounced Toti at home 12-0 with only one game going to the 18th… and as if often the case, it involved Sean Fenger, clearly not too bothered about an early finish to watch Englad in the World Cup.
He did win it eventually about an hour after the last game had been completed, 1-up, but was made to fight by Janco Vogel, who aced the 4th hole earlier in the round.
Royal’s win opens up this pool, but things are different in the other pool where Mount Edgecombe CC are all-powerful.
They beat Kloof 8-4 at home, with Kloof perhaps a little relieved Derek Scullard and Greg McKay were not available on the day.
Kloof’s Interclub B division trio of Guy O’Connor, Brad Jones and Stewart Theunissen provided the only resistance in the singles.
One of the more exciting games was between Siya Mwandla and Dylan Underwood, with the former making birdies at 16 and 17 to close out the game.
In A-division action, Southern KZN routed Bluff National 10-2 at Southbroom GC, while Mount Edgecombe CC ‘A’ beat Midlands 7,5-4,5.
Southern KZN need just a half against either Mount Edgecombe or Victoria, but both fixtures are away so easier said than done.
Zululand shouldn’t have too much trouble winning the other pool.
Maidstone saw off Royal Durban ‘A’ 6,5-5,5 and Prince’s Grant scraped through against Durban CC ‘A’ 6,5-5,5.
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