Top-quality chipping paid off for Nash de Klerk when he edged out his good friend, Rorisang Nkosi, at the Bridge Fund Managers Junior Series at The Wanderers Golf Club.
The pair are members of Pecanwood Golf and Country Club, Hartbeespoort, and have known each other for a long time.
They are both ranked in the top five for U15 players in the country.
So when the two finished the final round tied on 68, and went to a four-hole play-off, they chose to enjoy it win or lose.
“Rori is a very good friend of mine, and we enjoyed playing against each other,” said Nash (14), who is one year older than his friend.
“I had an advantage on the final play-off hole, because earlier during my round I had chipped in from almost that exact spot, so I knew how [the ball] would turn and run.”
Nash’s birdie on the last hole sealed his victory on 4 November.
His short game had been the difference before the play-off too, when he holed a bunker shot and sank a long putt for an eagle.
“Nash and Rorisang produced excellent golf on a very challenging course,” said Paul Stewart, executive director of Bridge Fund Managers.
By claiming the title, Nash, who is also a member of South Africa’s national squad, qualified for the regional final of the 18-event #BridgeJuniorSeries which takes place in April next year.
The ultimate prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the prestigious Junior North and South Championship at Pinehurst, USA.
Nash lives in Centurion and practises at University of Pretoria’s high performance centre and at Pecanwood.
He aims to make the SA team for the Italian International U16 Championship next year.
His long-term goal is to qualify for the US Amateur Championship, rather than turn professional at too young an age.
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