Not too long ago, Gavin Sole enjoyed a practice game at San Lameer Country Club ahead of the annual San Lameer Open.
When he arrived his playing partners saw that his reserved cart had a sign saying: ‘Gavin Sole and Friends’.
Maybe it wasn’t meant that way, but he does have a special parking place, for winning the Open 11 times.
You can now say 12 times, as he clinched a hard-fought win on a steamy Sunday, with scores of 72 and 73.
For 33 holes, he was not in the lead. That honour went to Robert Mavundla.
In the morning Robert shot a near flawless 69.
In the afternoon he shot 78 but had been well ahead until a triple bogey at the 13th, where his tee shot went out of bounds.
He recovered with a birdie on the 14th, but it would all change on the 16th.
It’s a tough hole at the best of times, with club selection and a crosswind always factors.
Gavin made a bogey, but Robert made a triple bogey to see the lead change and the Big Fish take victory two holes later.
Reflecting on the win, Gavin said it was always an honour to win this tournament.
He admitted it wasn’t easy.
“Robert played very well and was a bit unlucky. It became almost like a matchplay game, with no one else in contention.”
He was mightily relieved to see that the tee used for the 18th hole in the afternoon round was up front.
“A lot can go wrong from the back tee so was very happy to see that, just a back-foot punch with a 4-iron.”
He ended up three-putting for a bogey but by then it didn’t matter.
For Robert, it’s now his third runner-up finish in South Coast tournaments, having placed second at the Southern KZN Open and Closed.
Jan McDermott was third on scores of 78 and 73.
There were other highlights and lowlights.
In the morning, Jean-Marc Bouic aced the 16th hole using a 7-iron – it’s his first and now the friendly banter from mates can stop.
In the afternoon, Mlamuli Msezane was struck on the head and knocked to the ground by a ball that flew the green on the 13th.
He was in a group letting others through when it happened.
Mlamuli had to be taken to hospital but the good news is that he is fine and scans have revealed that all is ‘okay’, thankfully.
Best nett went to Bulelani Ngilandi, who, off a seven handicap, had rounds of 76 and 83.
B division winner, over 18 holes of Individual Stableford, was Santhos Baskali. Off his 12 handicap, he carded 35 points to countout Anton Hauptfleisch.
The C division also played Individual Stableford over 18 holes with Guy Chilro winning on 36 points from Dr Ayoob Bux on 35 points.
The ladies’ winner was Jakkie Harrington on 34 points.
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