Gavin Sole was just too good for the rest of the players who teed it up in the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Closed at Southbroom Golf Club last Saturday.
He already has a formidable record and reputation around the scenic layout, but his play on a hot and steamy Saturday was something special.
The ‘Medium Fish’, as he is now called after losing 11kg (and counting) had rounds of 66 and 67 to win by 17 shots from Sean Baker.
“I think that’s my lowest score here over 36 holes strokeplay,” he said.
His sand play and putting helped him keep things tidy when he produced a few loose shots on the front nine.
He got up and down from tricky lies in bunkers on the 7th and 8th, and then narrowly avoided the dam off the tee on the 9th.
His playing partner Baker nearly had a nightmare start.
For a start, he had had a big evening, attending a bachelor’s party, so arrived at the course a little less focused than usual.
On the 3rd hole, he hit five balls off the tee. “They just kept going right,” he said.
Fortunately, he found the first one a few centimetres in bounds and was able to have an enjoyable day!
Later, he would perform best man duties with aplomb at Colin Iddon’s wedding.
The 3rd hole would bite though, with young gun Jason Gilliver now knowing it’s a hole to be treated with utmost respect.
He was the only one really able to have a run at the Medium Fish, but hit two into the houses and one into the bush and staggered off with a 10.
Two-time defending champion Graham Fabricius also faded in the afternoon as the heat got to the players.
Jarrod van Wyk, also known for his squash playing prowess, bucked this trend, following up a morning 91 with an afternoon 75.
“I think I snapped five out of bounds on the front nine,” he said. Some credit to his come-back powers then.
Sbu Ntozakhe, playing off a 10, had a level par round in the morning which was a talking point.
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And then veteran Douglas Sima, turned back the clock somewhat with a level par round in the afternoon.
The Southern KZN team to play league Midlands at Howick on February 11 is Jason Gilliver, Graham Fabricius, Robert Mavundla, Elvis Khawula, Mikhail van Brakel, Jean-Marc Bouic, Douglas Sima and Sbu Ntozakhe.
Scores:
131 Gavin Sole 65 66
148 Sean Baker 74 74
149 Jason Gilliver 69 80
150 Graham Fabricius 71 79
150 Douglas Sima 78 72
151 Robert Mavundla 72 79
151 Sbu Ntozakhe 72 79
152 Mikhail van Brakel 73 79
154 Gary Purtell 75 79
156 Cyprian Xolo 77 79
157 Ronnie Mtshaka 76 81
160 Jean-Marc Bouic 76 84
162 Elvis Khawula 81 81
163 Kevin Murray 85 78
166 Jarrod van Wyk 91 75
166 Jan Roos 87 79
168 Derick Zolyomi 86 82
172 Sydney Shingange 83 89
176 Wonderboy Nxumalo 89 87
176 Errol Rudman 84 92
181 Mot Moleele 91 90
183 Vusi Maphumulo 88 95
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