Teenager Cameron Olivant (Southbroom GC) came agonisingly close to winning his first tournament on the KwaZulu-Natal golf circuit.
This was the Southern KZN Open, played at Umdoni Park Golf Club last Sunday.
He missed a five foot putt to prolong a playoff against Jason Broomhead (Durban Country Club) in fading light and with lightning flashing in the distance.
Light drizzle greeted players upon arrival, and it looked like it was going to be a long, soggy day.
Fortunately, it lifted and held off for most of the tournament.
Cameron, who probably should have been at home studying for his Grade 9 exams, led the morning field with two under par 70.
He was tied with Kalvin van Rensburg (Toti), with multiple past champion Gavin Sole (Southbroom) and Jan McDermott (Toti) a shot behind.
A number of players lurked on level par 72, including Jason, who won this tournament at the same venue in 2017.
In the afternoon round, Jason’s experience came to the fore, and he seized control with an eagle three at the 13th hole to get to four under for the day.
His 5-iron approach from the top of the hill looked like it might go in for an albatross.
When Cameron chunk-hooked (new word in golf lexicon) his tee shot on the par three 16th, it looked like his tournament was over.
However, after taking a penalty drop from the hazard, he nearly holed his chip from the rough.
With two holes to go, he was three behind Jason, who then let him back in by bogeying the last two holes.
When Cameron rolled in a seven foot putt for birdie on the 18th, it meant extra holes were going to be needed.
Grant Olivier (Drak Gardens) narrowly missed out on the playoff. He shot 72 and 71, but he didn’t think he had a chance when he heard Jason was four under – and was heading home to watch the Springboks play Scotland.
Kalvin had an afternoon 74 and missed by two. The others just couldn’t quite get the putts to drop for birdie.
In the playoff, Jason and Cameron left their shots on the par three 3rd hole a touch short, watching them spin back to the front of the two-tiered green.
Jason went first and left himself in the zone of acrimony, around six feet away.
Cameron was better, but not at tap-in distance.
Jason coolly knocked his putt in, leaving the pressure on Cameron.
His putt caught the lip and rimmed out, leaving him to rue what could have been. “I won’t lie, I was shaking a bit. But I hit the putt where I wanted to. Was my first three-putt the whole day!”
Jason, who lost in a playoff to Clayton Mansfield at Selborne Park in 2018, was gracious in victory.
He encouraged Cameron and said he was looking forward to seeing his golf progress.
Clive Manqele won the B division from Ganas Naicker. Steve Swain (A) and Nkosinathi Mabasa (B) won the nett prizes on offer.
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