There’s an old saying that sometimes it’s better to be a lucky golfer than a good one. It’s an expression Gary Purtell, Southbroom golfer of renown, often uses.
In the case of Cameron Olivant, no one will say he’s not a good golfer; on the contrary, he is rather talented and has a bright future.
But even he will admit that his finish during the Purtell Trophy junior tournament at Southbroom was outrageous.
He was three behind Matthew Smith playing the 18th.
Two shots later, Matthew was in the trees on the right and Cameron not far from the trees either.
Matthew chipped out, Cameron holed out. Just like that.
He could barely see the flag, never mind the hole.
It was only when he heard the cheers that he realised it must be close, but he didn’t think it was that close!
When Matthew made a bogey a playoff was required. Cameron struck a superb drive down the first to within a metre or two of the green.
Matthew’s drive carved away into the water and he was unable to make par, leaving Cameron to close it out in relative comfort.
Both players had scored 71, with Cameron’s loops being 32 and 39, so the eagle restored what hadn’t been the prettiest back nine for him.
Two days before Cameron also won the Alfred County Champs at Port Shepstone.
On this occasion he went out in 38 and back in 34 to finish level par and win by two from the same player, namely Matthew Smith.
In between this Cameron was way off the pace at the Terry Mitchell Trophy at San Lameer, where the Snowman (80) got the better of him and he ended up with 82.
However, Cameron wasn’t the only South Coast junior in the mix during these tournaments and it was good to see quite a few more playing.
These included Talan Roos, Arav Maharaj, Cody Dry, Ronan Rogers, Reece Havemann, Kiara Naicker, Zanté du Toit, Ari Maharaj, Danie Vosloo and Nathan le Roux.
From a little further up the coast but still in the Southern KZN area were Revashan Naidoo, Bernardis twins Rory and Jordan, and Christiaan Koekemoer.
RESULTS
* Alfred County Champs at Port Shepstone
Cameron Olivant 72, Matthew Smith 74.
Local scores – Arav Maharaj 83, Kiara Naicker 86, Talan Roos 86, Cody Dry 91, Ronan Rogers 96, Reece Havemann 98, Zanté du Toit 101.
Stableford – Danie Vosloo 32, Ari Maharaj 24, Nathan le Roux 19.
* Terry Mitchell Trophy at San Lameer
Asher Hollister (Kloof) won on 75.
Local scores – Cameron Olivant 82, Arav Maharaj 86, Cody Dry 89, Ronan Rogers 95, Talan Roos 96, Reece Havemann 102, Zanté du Toit 111.
Stableford – Danie Vosloo 39, Ari Maharaj 29.
* Purtell Trophy at Southbroom
Cameron Olivant 71, in playoff from Matthew Smith 71.
Local scores – Revashan Naidoo 74, Rory Bernardis 78, Talan Roos 79, Arav Maharaj 85, Cody Dry 88, Jordan Bernardis 94, Reece Havemann 95, Ronan Rogers 96, Zanté du Toit 102
* Umdoni Park
Muhammad Vather (Midlands GC) 71.
Local scores – Talan Roos 78, Christiaan Koekemoer 78, Revashan Naidoo 84, Zanté du Toit 85, Cody Dry 85, Ronan Rogers 92, Reece Havemann 92.
Stableford – Danie Vosloo 38, Ari Maharaj 29.
* Selborne Park
Matthew Smith 74, in playoff from Nicholas Ullyett 74.
Local scores – Revashan Naidoo 76, Christiaan Koekemoer 77, Talan Roos 79, Cody Dry 83, Rory Bernardis 85, Reece Havemann 87, Jordan Bernardis 92, Ronan Rogers 100, Zanté du Toit 102.
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