State Mines Country Club golfer Christopher Bagnall eagled the par-five 17th on his way to a final round 73 and third overall on three-under at the Nomads National Order of Merit Inland in Boksburg, recently.
The local youngster carded 68 in the opening round.
Bagnall finished behind fellow Ekurhuleni player Yurav Premlall, who carded 69 and 68 to finish second.
GolfRSA National Squad member Christiaan Maas once again underlined his credentials as one of the games future stars when he produced a grandstand finish to defend his title.
Maas opened with an imposing four-under 68 to match early first round leader Bagnall, but even more impressive was the way he closed the tournament – firing four birdies on the bounce from the 13th hole for a round of 63 and a 13 under par winning total.
It was the second time in as many months that the 17-year-old Maas celebrated success at the Boksburg venue.
Having racked up five titles in seven weeks after competitive golf resumed in September last year, including a runaway 12-shot victory in the GNGU Silver Salver at the end of October, Maas rode his red-hot form in the South African Open Championship qualifier at ERPM in December.
He reeled in seven birdies and an eagle en route to a blistering eight-under-par 64 to secure the first of four spots on offer into the country’s flagship event at Sun City.
And Maas did not seem to lose any form over the festive season.
Read: Jarvis named king of 2020
The teenager offset two bogeys on day one with a six-pack of birdies and surrendered just one shot in the final round as he charged his way to victory. A successful title defence also guaranteed that Maas remains firmly planted in fourth place in the GolfRSA Under-19 Junior Rankings.
Maas was justifiably pleased with the winning performance ahead of the South African Swing, which tees off next month.
“I was very happy with the way I struck the ball during the tournament,” said Maas.
“I didn’t have a lot of chips, because I hit a lot of greens and I putted really well on the final day.
“It was great to walk away with another win, but if I’m honest, I was annoyed that the 17th got the better of me again. I messed it up during the qualifier and couldn’t birdie the par five in the two rounds during in the Nomads NOoM.
“There is still some work to be done, but I will have a chance to fine-tune my game at the Free State and Gauteng North Opens before of the South African Swing.”
The youngsters have plenty of action coming up with the South African Swing comprising GolfRSA’s flagship men and women’s tournaments and kicks off with the South African Stroke Play Championship at Randpark Golf Club from February 1 to 4.
The African Amateur Stroke Play Championship, which last year was won by State Mines Country Club player Casey Jarvis, follows a week later at Glendower Golf Club.
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