New champ James keeps his cool in windy weather
James wasn't that happy with his 83, but it was enough to see him win by eight shots on 155.
James Coull (19) is Port Shepstone Country Club’s new strokeplay champion, yet another teenager to add his name to the honours board.
He scored 72 on the first day to take a fairly comfortable lead of five shots.
The next day the southwesterly wind arrived with some force and scores ballooned.
James wasn’t that happy with his 83, but it was enough to see him win by eight shots on 155.
Others who have won in their teens over the years include Etienne Terblanche, Marc Bormann, Wayne Fairbairn, Ryno van Niekerk, Piet Steyn and Luke Swemmer, so he joins some illustrious company.
“It was quite exciting and unbelievable to actually win the tournament, especially since conditions were really tough on the second day. I had some unlucky bounces but that’s golf and I’m happy to have won the title,” he said.
As a boy, James was inspired and influenced by his grandfather Gerald Koch to take up golf, in his Grade 8 year. Slowly, his passion for other sports was replaced by his love for the fairways and greens.
“My Grandpa has been playing since long before I was even thought of. So, he got me into the sport and I slowly lost interest in other sports. I played first team for other sports but golf became my priority.”
It books him a spot in the prestigious Champion of Champions at Kloof CC later in the year. The pressure here will be ramped up, but it’s an opportunity he is looking forward to.
In the meantime, he will be working hard on his game, hoping to pure his new blades.
“I think it’s true when they say the more you play, the luckier you get, which is a big thing in golf, but I’ve also put a lot of hard work into it,” he added.
Winning the A division was former champion Daan Swanepoel on a score of 163, counting out into Jaco Janse van Rensburg. The B division was won by Smittie Stieger on 167, seven ahead of Christo Janse van Vuuren.
In the C division, Trevor Bruce won on 19, followed three shots behind by Jeff Scrooby.
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