Ekurhuleni fulfilled their destiny with a historic first-time victory in the 59th South African Inter-Provincial at Mbombela Golf Club last week.
On day two, the Roses rallied from 4 – 0 down in the foursomes with six singles wins to draw against Gauteng North and on day three, the side defeated defending champions Central Gauteng 7 – 5. A decisive 8 – 4 win over Western Province kept the side on track.
In a pressure-packed final round clash with KwaZulu-Natal, the eight teenagers once again mobilised from 2.5 – 1.5 down in the foursomes to win six singles, mowing down the men in black 7.5 – 4.5 to put an exclamation mark on an unbeaten week in Mpumalanga.
Jason Gilliver quickly ran down Ekurhuleni captain Jordan Burnand six and five in the singles, but the captain had given his charges one instruction at lunch and they complied.
“I told the guys every one of us had to take responsibility for our singles and to fight until the last putt dropped,” said Burnand.
“I am incredible proud of the way our players held their cool under incredible pressure from some formidable opponents. There were no stars on our team; just eight boys who played for each other and I applaud the determination and resilience they showed on such a high-pressure stage. This victory is theirs to celebrate.”
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Ekurhuleni 7.5 KwaZulu-Natal 4.5
Foursomes: Gildenhuys / van Deventer lost to Sole / Lovett 1 Up; Jarvis / van Velzen lost to Mwandla / Broomhead 2 and 1; Gounden / Premlall bt Mckay / Broomhead 4 and 3; Schaper / Burnand halved Gilliver / Scullard.
Singles: Brandon Gildenhuys beat Thomas Lovett three and two; Vaughn van Deventer lost to Gavin Sole 2 Up; Ryan van Velzen beat Jason Broomhead two and one; Jordan Burnand lost to Jason W Gilliver six and five; Aneurin Gounden beat Siyanda Mwandla two and one; Casey Jarvis beat Jonothan Broomhead 1 Up; Yurav Premlall beat Derek Scullard to 1 Up; Jayden Schaper beat Gregory Mckay three and two.
