Fellow Ekurhuleni junior Nash de Klerk (Glendower Golf Course) claimed an emphatic five-stroke victory in the u-15 Challenge.
Schaper got off to a rather scrappy start in the final round at the Montagu Course.
With nine holes to go, the outlook was dismal for the country’s top ranked junior, but the teenager rallied with a pair of birdies for a three-over-par 75 to edge out Ayden Senger from Western Province and Werner Deyzel from Gauteng North for a one-stroke victory on eight-under-par 209.
Having fired a six-under-par 67 in the first round at the Links and five-under-par 67 at the Outeniqua Course in round two, Schaper began the final round at 11-under with a four-shot lead over Senger and five shots clear of Deyzel.
A bogey start signalled problems and Schaper bled bogeys while Senger and Deyzel pounced.
“The putter turned ice-cold and shots were dropping like flies,” said Schaper, who also dropped shots at five, seven, eight and nine.
“By the time we reached the turn, I was tied with Werner at six-under and Ayden had moved to eight-under, but I knew I could still do it, because I always play better when I’m chasing.”
Schaper showed his mettle when he came from behind to win the 2016 Tshwane Junior Open in a play-off and won his third Nomads South Africa Boys title in a play-off at the u-19 Stroke Play Championship in April.
Schaper birdied 13 and when Senger bogeyed 13 and 14, the trio were tied at seven-under.
Deyzel dropped a shot at 15, though, as Senger matched Schaper’s birdie at 16.
The pair headed down the final hole tied at eight-under, with Deyzel two behind.
Senger’s title bid drowned in the water surrounding the island green, but Deyzel was on the green for two and still had an eagle chance to force a play-off.
“Unfortunately for Werner, his putt pulled up short of the hole and I just had to tap in for the win,” said Schaper.
“I definitely felt more in control after the turn and the putts started to drop.
“This was one of the toughest wins of my career.
“I had to hang tough and stay patient.
“I’m really pleased that I got the job done.”
Deyzel birdied the final hole for a 71 and Senger signed for an even-par 72 to tie for second at seven-under 210.
Having already won the Nomads SA Boys u-13, u-15 and u-19 championships in his budding career, Schaper is aiming to complete the “Grand Slam” and win the Nomads SA Boys u-17 Championship at Rustenburg Golf Club, which teed-off on Tuesday, July 11.
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