Cameron crushes it in Kokstad
The youngster is playing the golf of his life at the moment.
Cameron Olivant of Port Shepstone Country Club has taken his golf to the next level by winning the East Griqualand Open held at Kokstad Golf Club last Sunday in blazing heat.
The 15-year-old clinched the win on the second playoff hole against Kalvin van Rensburg (Toti), the same player whom he edged out by one shot to win the San Lameer Open on January 19.
Cameron shot 71 and 70, Kalvin 72 and 69.
Both players finished on three under par for the 36 holes, but there was a wait to see what multiple past champion Gavin Sole (Southbroom) would do.
He arrived on the 18th tee needing a birdie to win, par for the playoff but, unfortunately, ended up making a bogey. He ended up shooting 74 and 68.
There was some disappointment, not only for him but also for the other players who would have loved to see a playoff between the Big Fish and the young challenger, but it was not to be – not this time around, anyway.
In the playoff, Cameron and Kalvin both parred the 18th, then returned up the hill to play it again.
This time, Cameron made a bogey, but Kalvin made a double, uncharacteristically missing a tiny putt to hand the youngster the title.
It was Cameron’s first win on the men’s KZN circuit. He’s won a number of times on the junior circuit and almost won the Southern KZN Open at Umdoni Park last November, losing in a playoff after three-putting.
Organiser Bruce Eaglestone was impressed with Cameron’s courage.
“He stood up and hit the driver on almost every hole. Others were taking irons for safety, but it’s his first or second visit here, and he has no scar tissue, obviously,” he said.
“His speech was good, too, not long, but he thanked Gavin Sole and Jean-Marc Bouic for all they have done for him. That says a lot.”
Jean-Marc, meanwhile, did nothing to shed his Mr Consistent tag, finished fourth on a pair of 72s, following up with a solid return after his win at the Northern KZN Open at Dundee Golf Club on January 26.
A number of mid-amateur golfers made the trip, which helped boost the field somewhat.
But they couldn’t quite get past the junior, who started the day with eagle three and finished holding the trophy.
He is now looking forward to playing in the KZN Closed at Selborne Park on February 22 and 23.
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