Epic battle looms at SA U13 golf champs in PE

AN almighty clash for the Nomads SA U13 Championship is on the cards after Central Gauteng and North West tied for the lead in very blustery conditions at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club yesterday.

North West carried a one shot cushion over Central Gauteng into the second round after posting a first round total of 15 over 375.

With the wind gusting between 35 and 40km/h, both teams had a tough day at the office, but it was Central Gauteng who came up trumps with a second round score of 400.

Amilkar Bhana, the individual winner last year, led the side with a 77.

Hannes Strooh added a 78, Joshua Hirsch carded 79 and Cayden Lasarow and Jaden Deltel both clocked with 83s.

Central Gauteng set the clubhouse target on a 36-total of 776, but it was not long before North West grabbed a share of the lead.

As he did on day one, Stefano Marchetti led the team with a 78. Luc Gavagnin and Rorisang Nkosi posted a pair of 79s, Leonard Bevan returned an 82, and an 83 from Dandre de Villiers secured the team a share of position.

Gauteng North finished in third on 782, with Western Province a further 10 shots adrift.

Marchetti retained the lead in the Individual Competition on three over. However, Western Province junior Jack Buchanan fired the low round of the day and his 73 moved the Atlantic Beach golfer within a stroke of the lead.

Bhana is two off the pace in a tie for third with Strooh, while Joshua Koekemoer and Dujuan Snyman from Gauteng North shares fifth on eight over with Kiera Floyd from Ekurhuleni.

There was some good news for Port Elizabeth fans, though.

Jordan Wessels, from Wedgewood Country Club, carded an 80 to tie for ninth on 12 over, with Central Gauteng’s Nkosi and Hirsh, Ockert Brits, from North West, and Conrad Loubser, from Boland.