Sunday 12th February saw the launch of the KeNako Junior Series. This series of tournaments has been created to allow junior players (both boys and girls) greater opportunity to play competitive medal golf. The intention is to play 9 or 10 tournaments during the course of the year, all during school terms. The KeNako Junior Series will be played between the Southern Cape Junior tournaments. Thanks are due to those in charge of junior golf in the Southern Cape for their contribution and their continued efforts in upgrading the quality of the junior golf offering within the province. Scores at the KeNako Junior Series will count on the local Southern Cape Junior Order of Merit. The first tournament in the 2012 series was played at the wonderful Oubaai Golf Estate, which is in excellent condition. Special thanks are due to Oubaai for making the course available for the KeNako Junior Series. The other course that is to be used for the KeNako Junior Series is the Kingswood Golf Estate. It is an exceptional treat for junior players to be able to play regularly on such superb golf courses.
Players were greeted by a stiff South Westerly wind which made the course a challenging test. The difficulty of the playing conditions is reflected in the scores, with the nett average score for the day being over 78 shots. For many of the players it was their first experience of playing Oubaai. 12 Year old Bradley de Beer, a recent enrolment at the KeNako Academy, plays off a 14 handicap. Bradley shot a 70 nett to beat Clayton Ascencao, who scored an excellent gross 75 off his 5 handicap, in a count out. Bradley managed to birdie the 5th hole at Oubaai, which is stroke 1 and a real test of golf, to win the count out!
In the Gross section Javon Rebula has been the standout player at recent Southern Cape tournaments and he again played outstanding golf, shooting a level par 72 to win by a single shot from Mohit Mediratta, a Kenyan boy who is also enrolled at the KeNako Academy. Mohit scored a 73, an excellent effort in the conditions. The winner Javon is still only 14 years old and much will no doubt be heard about him in the coming months and years.
KeNako’s Head professional Roger Wessels was in attendance at the short game facility after the players had finished their rounds. Roger was able to give input to many of the players and helped some of them overcome problems with their chipping or putting games. Free input from the KeNako professionals is to be a regular feature of the KeNako Junior Series.
The next KeNako Junior Series tournament is to be played at Oubaai on Saturday 10th March 2012. The field is limited to 60 players. All players are expected to attend prize giving after the final fourball comes in, with prize giving taking place immediately after the last fourball have handed in their scorecards. Players interested in playing can contact Natasha at KeNako Academy nnorton@kenakoacademy.com.
Cost of entry is R100 which includes green fees and some food and a drink at halfway house.
Selected Results
Gross | Nett |
72 Javon Rebula | 70 Bradley de Beer, Clayton Ascensao |
73 Mohit Mediratta | Mohit Mediratta |
75 Aidan Boon, Clayton Ascencao | 71 Maluka Phumlani, Norman Seton |
76 Cameron Moralee |
KeNako Junior Series Winners from left Clayton Ascencao, Mohit Mediratta (KeNako), Bradley de Beer (KeNako), Roger Wessels (KeNako Golf Director), Jovan Rebula (winner)