Golf star emerges at Christmas time
He had a bit of luck, like when he gummed a bunker shot on the 15th, that hit the lip and dribbled down to tap-in distance.
Cameron Olivant stunned just about everyone when he carded 75 to win the Southbroom Junior Club Championships on Tuesday.
The 12 year old from Umtentweni, who attends Southcity Christian Schools, started by chipping and putting for par, and pretty much kept it going the whole round.
A highlight was a chip-in for birdie on the par three 8th, and then nearly holing his second shot on the par four 10th hole.
He had a bit of luck, like when he gummed a bunker shot on the 15th, that hit the lip and dribbled down to tap-in distance.
It looked like it may come undone on the par five 17th when he hooked his tee shot into the bush.
No worries though, as he made a birdie with his second ball to limit the damage to a bogey.
His two loops were 37 and 38 for the 75, which was eight better than his previous best of 83 at Port Shepstone Country Club.
Runner-up on the day was Kai Hielckert on 77 – his putting letting him down again – with Paul Swanepoel next on 79.
These two will be in Grade 12 at Kearsney College next year.
Cameron is going in to Grade 7.
Grant Richards Jr won the best nett on 75, shooting 97 gross.
Runner-up was Nicholas Crossman on nett 81, scoring 99.
Cameron has recently joined Southbroom, as well as holding membership at Port Shepstone, with his father Gareth signing him up on Monday.
There’s plenty of history for the family at Southbroom, with his maternal grandfather, the late Willie Rush, having been a president and six-time champion. Cameron’s grandmother Trudy has also won a club champs, albeit the bronze division.
No doubt Willie would have been extremely proud of his grandson’s efforts.
In fact, Cameron was using his old driver and irons, and he has that same silky-smooth swing.
It’s certainly going to be fun watching his career progress.
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