Andre Nel won the biggest title of his fledgling golf career when triumphing in the Southern Cape Matchplay Championships played at George Golf Club from 25th to 27th July. Andre won the final 3 and 2 against Southern Cape’s number 2 ranked golfer Stafie Barnard. The field for the Southern Cape Matchplay comprises the top 32 players from the province’s Order of Merit which includes all of the best players in the province, both senior and junior.
Andre, who is from East London, joined the KeNako Academy School Leaver Program at the beginning of 2014, has made huge progress this year and the improvement, not only in his golf game but also in his physique and his attitude, is commendable. He enjoyed a flawless run to the finals, with a 2 and 1 victory in round one followed by another 2 and 1 victory over Jacques Cloete, number 4 seed on the SCOOM, in the round of 16. In the Quarter Finals he scored another excellent victory, beating the number 5 seed Henk Geldenhuys comprehensively 6 and 4. In his Semi Final match Andre played fellow KeNako student Franklin Manchest who had also enjoyed a stellar tournament. Andre beat Franklin 4 and 3 before going on to win his final match and the Matchplay Title.
Franklin Manchest finishes 3rd
16 Year old Franklin Manchest, who recently returned from his first overseas visit where he had the privilege of playing a game with Luke Donald before attending the British Open, continued his fine progress by reaching the Semi Finals and then winning the 3rd and 4th place play-off match. Franklin had enjoyed an amazing Quarter Final victory when he beat the Southern Cape’s number 1 ranked golfer and top seed Nicholas Mitchell on the 21st hole after being 4 down with 4 holes to play!
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- Andre Nel in action in the final of the Southern Cape Matchplay Championship at George Golf Club on Sunday
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- Franklin Manchest won the 3rd and 4th Place Play-Off match at the Southern Cape Matchplay Championships after losing to eventual winner and fellow KeNako student Andre Nel in the Semi FInals. The players were greeted with mixed weather conditions over the 3 days, with wind and rain prevalent on days one and two and improved weather for the 36 holes played on Sunday.
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- Andre Nel proudly poses with the Southern Cape Matchplay trophy in the KeNako Academy gym after he won one of the Southern Cape’s major titles at the George Golf Club.