The KeNako SA Boys U/12 tournament was an amazing success. The young girls and boys from all parts of the country endured an unpleasant practice day on Sunday, but it did little to dampen their enthusiasm and they quite literally bubbled over into the KeNako Academy on Sunday evening for their team meetings and to listen to the rules and regulations of the week.
Whilst the boys and girls enjoyed their dinner, the parents and friends were hosted at a Cheese and Wine party in one of the lounges at the KeNako Academy. The function was a first for the parents at a National U/12 tournament they really appreciated the effort that had been made to welcome them to George and The KeNako Academy. They were in awe of the facilities available at KeNako. They also thoroughly enjoyed the wine so kindly donated by the Avontuur Estate, especially the VAR red wine! It went down a treat on what was a good evening.
The tournament itself produced golf of an amazingly high standard. On day one Luca Filippi of the Western Province managed a level par round of 72, an excellent score around the Kingswood layout. He was closely followed by Keelan van Wyk of Central Gauteng who shot a 74. The Southern Capes best player was Christo Lamprecht who scored a 76 in the first round.
The weather on day two was not the best and it reflected in the scores. Significantly Luca Filippi and Keelan van Wyk again shot the day’s best scores. After 2 rounds Christo Lamprecht of the Southern Cape was is third position.
On the final day it was evident that many of the boys and girls were feeling some nerves. Nonetheless the quality of golf was truly outstanding, and was the honesty and integrity of Werner Deysel of SA Kids Golf who called a penalty on himself when he touched the sand in a bunker. Nobody else had seen the incident and Werner was one under par at the time, yet he called a 2 shot penalty on himself. Well done to Werner for being so honest!
Luke Mayo of KwaZulu Natal shot one under par 71 for the days best round while a young 10 year old girl form Central Gauteng, Son Woo-Ju shot an amazing one over par 73! The overnight leaders sustained their excellent golf, with both Luca Filippi and Keelan van Wyk shooting 73. Luca won the individual title by 3 shots from Keelan.
In the team competition Western Province were leading in to the final day but in round three the Central Gauteng team played some amazing golf and they turned a 12 shot deficit into a 4 shot victory. Well played Central Gauteng! The KwaZulu Natal team managed to climb from 5th position into 3rd place winning the bronze medal.
Full Results as follows: