Reigning South African Stroke Play champion Jason Smith held off a determined challenge from Gauteng’s Matthew Spacey, to win the Ekurhuleni Open Stroke Play Championship by one stroke, at Germiston Golf Club on October 5.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old Irene golfer, who debuted for South Africa at the World Amateur Team Championships, in Japan, last month, carded rounds of 68 and 67 to grab a share of the 36-hole lead with Gauteng North SA Inter-Provincial team mate Hendrikus Stoop.<\/p>
The pair led by four from Andrew van der Knaap, another recent starter for Gauteng North, at the SA IPT, sponsored by Tempest, at Westlake.<\/p>\n
Smith carded a third round 73 to lead at eight under, but Spacey, who lagged five shots off the pace, fired a 69 to move within a shot of the leader.<\/p>
Smith reeled in two birdies early in the final round, and kept clear of the pack with a string of pars through nine holes, before racking in another birdie at the par-five 13th.<\/p>\n
Although the TuksSport Golf Academy member stumbled near the end of his round, with bogeys at the 15th and 17th, a birdie at the 16th and par at the short 18th helped him to a one-shot victory on 10-under-par 278.<\/p>\n
Spacey also racked up five birdies, but his bid for victory derailed with bogeys at the 16th and 18th.<\/p>\n
The Dainfern golfer closed with a 70 to take second on 279 and finished two strokes clear of van der Knaap, who returned rounds of 71, 68, 71 and 71.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Stoop (69, 66, 76 and 71) took fourth on 282, and the Southern Cape’s Jade Buitendag (72, 69, 70 and 72) interrupted Gauteng North’s stronghold to finish fifth on six-under-par 282.<\/p>\n
Kyle McClatchie and NJ Arnoldi were the two best placed Ekurhuleni golfers.<\/p>\n
The pair tied for seventh, with former Sanlam SA Amateur champion Ryan Dreyer on two under 286.<\/p>\n
Smith was absolutely delighted with the result.<\/p>\n
“What a result for TuksSport Golf Academy to get first, second, third and fourth,” the country’s number four ranked amateur said.<\/p>\n
“I am sure our coaches will want to celebrate this remarkable achievement and a great show for Gauteng North, as well.<\/p>\n
“The last month has been full of disappointments, so this was a great turnaround for me; it was especially great having my dad watch me win, since he missed the SA Stroke Play.”<\/p>\n
Smith received a late call-up for the World Amateur Team Championship and was very frustrated with his performance at the Eisenhower Trophy, in Japan.<\/p>\n
“When I got back, we discovered that the lofts on all my clubs were out,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We think it happened during the trip to Japan, but the guys from Srixon were fantastic and they sorted it all out for me.<\/p>\n
“I played a lot better at the SA IPT in Cape Town, but losing our title defence and getting demoted was a bitter pill to swallow, so it really feels great to come through another tough tournament and walk away with the trophy.<\/p>\n
“The challenge out there was fantastic.<\/p>\n
”The course was tough, but in great shape, and the guys really edged each other on. They kept up the pressure and I am really proud of the way I protected my lead to win.”<\/p>\n
Top 10 results:<\/p>\n