Byron Coetzee announces arrival on (bigger) golf stage
His win at the KZN Closed will have given his confidence a massive boost.
BYRON Coetzee (18) of Cotwsold Downs has been knocking on the door of a big win for while now.
That all changed at the KwaZulu-Natal Closed at Selborne Park last Sunday, where he fairly smashed the door down and announced his arrival into the winner’s circle.
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The Closed, which moved from its traditional Kloof Country Club venue, is arguably the most gruelling event on the local cicruit, played over 72 holes in two days.
Selborne Park may not be the longest course around, but it’s a tough walk, so all aspects of the game are tested including fitness and mental toughness.
Coetzee had rounds of 71, 68, 73 and 69 to clinch the win.
It was a major battle with Luke Mayo in the last round, with Mayo one ahead after 54 holes.
Coetzee started the afternoon stretch birdie-par-eagle, with a chip-in on the 3rd hole.
Mayo went par-bogey-birdie. That gave Coetzee a two shot lead and he never looked back.
He’d been feeling confident coming into the tournament, swinging well and working hard. He had just needed things to ‘click’.
That they did at Selborne, helped by the fact that he had his coach Sean Coetzee (no relation) on the bag.
“I’d say that made things easier for me, especially at the end when the pressure was on,” he said.
Mayo certainly made him work for it.
On the 17th he nearly holed in approach. Coetzee responded by hitting his wedge close, too. Both made birdie, with Coetzee keeping what was at that stage a three shot lead.
Mayo, who had the honour, then hit his tee shot on the closing par four onto the green.
Coetzee tugged his tee shot left, but produced a wonderful flop-shot to give himself a chance for birdie.
When Mayo missed his eagle opportunity, Coetzee could two-putt to win by two.
With the win under the belt, he has now set his sights on the KZN Amatuerm which is to be played at Durban CC from August 22-26.
* The team to represent KZN at the South African Interprovincial Tournament to be held at Oubaai in the Southern Cape from September 17 to 21 has been chosen.
It is, in alphabetical order: Jason Broomhead (Durban CC), Clayton Mansfield (Durban CC), Luke Mayo (Mount Edgecombe CC), Greg McKay (Mount Edgecombe CC), Malcolm Mitchell (Kloof), Matt Saulez (Durban CC), Derek Scullard (Mount Edgecombe CC) and Gavin Sole (captain – Southbroom).
The manager is Ivan Curlewis (Margate CC).
The only change from last year is that Siyanda Mwandla (Mount Edgecombe CC) drops out and Mayo comes in.
RESULTS
Leading scores from KZN Closed
281 Byron Coetzee 71 68 73 69
283 Luke Mayo 72 70 69 72
288 Gregory McKay 73 70 70 75
291 Siyanda Mwandla 70 70 73 78
292 Thomas Lovett 69 75 75 73
297 Nikhil Gopal 76 75 77 69
297 Jason Broomhead 72 72 85 68
298 Gavin Sole 74 77 71 76
299 Dylan Underwood 72 73 78 76
306 Graeme Inggs 74 77 77 78
309 Sean Baker 76 77 78 78
310 Jason Gilliver 80 80 73 77
311 Corné van Deventer 76 77 85 73
313 Thabiso Magwaza 79 74 81 79
314 Robert Mavundla 77 73 76 88
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