The Southern Cape U14 golf team made history by becoming the first Southern Cape U14 team to win a major inter-provincial golf tournament.  They managed to beat the strong Western Province team by a single stroke to take the team trophy at the annual Fish River Sun tournament played 24th and 25th March.  A total of 7 provincial teams participated in the tournament, with the Border team finishing 12 shots behind Western Province in 3rd position.

The top player on the Southern Cape team was Caylum Boon, who finished tied 6th in the individual standings, a stroke in front of his twin brother Aidan Boon, who finished 8th.  A further stroke back were Cameron Moralee and Franklin Manchest who finished tied 9th.  Riaan Grootboom was a further 2 strokes back in tied 13th position.  Every one of the boys on the team contributed to the overall success, an outstanding effort!  This result augurs well for the future of junior golf in the Southern Cape, because the current top ranked U14 player Javon Rebula was unavailable for selection due to other golfing commitments.  This group of players can go on to win many honours for the Southern Cape in the coming years.

It is interesting to note that 7 out of the 8 boys who played on the team are receiving coaching at the KeNako Academy in George.  The launch of the KeNako Academy is starting to pay handsome dividends in the development of golf in the Southern Cape region.  4 of the boys who played on the team are from the South African Golf Development Board and the efforts of Johan Erasmus and Joseph Booysen in looking after and encouraging these boys, not only to play the game of golf, but also in assisting with transport and many other activities, must be acknowledged.

Overall U14 Team Positions
1st           Southern Cape
2nd          Western Province
3rd           Border
4th           Free State/Northern Cape
5th           Western Province Invitational
6th           Eastern Province
7th           Boland

The proud Southern Cape U14 team in height order!  From front left Aidan Boon, Caylum Boon, Cameron Moralee, Riaan Grootboom, Virgil April, Franklin Manchest, Kyle Barker and Jonugen Olifant

The Boon twins Caylum (left) and Aidan, the Southern Cape’s top 2 U14 players at the Fish River tournament.