The 33-year-old Madagascar professional racked up a trio of birdies in the last four holes to open up a one shot lead over four players tied for second.
The former Sunshine Tour player quite the tour in 2009 to focus on gaining his PGA teaching diploma.
While enrolled in the PGA course, Raveloarison taught at Benoni Country Club and ran a golf development academy in Benoni where pros were encouraged to give their time to teach youngsters from the townships and primary schools in the region.
He also frequently visited his native Madagascar to promote the game with lectures and clinics.
Now, having qualified as a PGA Class AA professional, Raveloarison is eager to take another stab at the pro ranks.
“I’m heading to Bangkok for the Asian Tour’s First Stage Qualifier in early January, so a solid finish this week will go a long way in taking some confidence to Asia,” he said.
“I managed the ball really well today. I have been doing that the last few weeks, but today the putts also dropped. It was nice to get it going on the last couple of holes.”
Raveloarison started steadily with a birdie at the second and he offset a bogey at the seventh with a birdie at the short eighth. He lost the advantage again at the 12th but an eagle at the par five 13th kicked his round into high gear.
“That was all the inspiration I needed,” Raveloarison said. “My approach finished short of the green, but I hit a great chip from 20 metres out and watched the ball disappear down the hole.
“I picked up another birdie between the short holes (12 and 16) and hit a great tee shot down 17 to set up another birdie. I had 125 metres left to the pin, hit a pitching wedge in and knocked the 10-footer in the hole for birdie.
“I hit another good drive down 18, but the ball went through the fairway to the right. I had 200 metres left to the stick, so I went with a five-iron and whacked it proper. I struck it really well and the ball pitched on the left side of the green. I had a good go at the eagle chance, but the putt just came up short. Birdie was good enough for the lead, though.”
The Benoni resident believes a good week at Wingate could turn his fortunes around.
