NATIONAL NEWS - Four of South Africa’s leading lights will line up against a host of foreign nations in the Ciputra Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship in Indonesia this week.
The junior quartet tasked to fly the flag for South Africa in the 10th edition of this global showpiece include Symone Henriques and Caitlyn Macnab from Womens Golf South Africa (WGSA) and South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) pair Hilmi Mallick and Cole Stevens.
Sixteen-year-old Mallick will star in the Boys A Competition (ages 15-17) and 14-year-old Parkview junior Stevens is competing in the Boys B Competition (ages 13-14).
The Boys Competitions tee off on Tuesday, while the girls only get underway on Wednesday.
Henriques from Glenvista – named Womens Golf South Africa’s Most Improved Junior Player of the Year for 2015/2016 – is competing in the Girls A competition (ages 15-17) and Mcnab from Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate in the Girls B competition (ages 13-14).
Glenvista’s Henriques (15), Macnab (14) and Mallick from Rondebosch Golf Club have all arrived in North Jakarta carrying some great form following recent team events at home.
Macnab made a pivotal contribution to Ekurhuleni’s runaway victory in the Challenge Trophy, while Henriques was instrumental in helping Gauteng’s C-team to a runner-up finish in the B-Division at the 72-Hole Teams Tournament at Middelburg Country Club last week.
Mallick was equally impressive in his debut for the Presidents Team in the Challenge Cup at Parkview Golf Club a fortnight ago.
The juniors arrived at Damai Inda Golf at the weekend and had their first look at the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) Course on Monday.
“We heard that the area has experienced a lot of rain in recent weeks,” said WGSA vice-president Sally Greasley, who accompanied the minors to Indonesia.
“The length of the course is 6,533 metres for the boys and 5,497 metres for the girls and it played to its full length in the practice round on Monday. The greens are exceedingly fast and we took note of some very testing pin positions marked for the next three days.
“With water running the length of nearly every fairway of the PIK course, errant tee shots will be severely punished and a hot putter will definitely help you score.”
Greasley said the 10th edition of the Ciputra Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship has drawn 162 entrants from 16 countries, which is 20 more participants than in 2015.
“This championship attracts the cream of the world’s young golfing talent annually,” she said. “Players have come as far afield as the United States and United Kingdom and this year’s field also includes a 17-strong contingent from Australia.
“This is great news for our four players, as this week not only presents a test of their talent, but affords them a wonderful opportunity to gain international exposure while forging new friendships.”
Current number one ranked junior Woo-Ju Son finished second in the Girls B-Competition, 2015 Nomads SA Girl’s Rose Bowl Championship winner Chiara Contomathios tied for seventh in the Girls A-Competition and SAGDB pair Steven le Roux and Franklin Manchest finished eighth and 10th respectively in the Boys A-Division.
ARTICLE: LALI STANDER
