Border golf team in second place
THE Coca Cola Border Country Districts golf team, led by Border district team manager Andrew Baillie of Komani, was placed as runners-up in the South African Country Districts inter-provincial tournament in Nelspruit.
The team had an impressive start on the first day of the week-long tournament with an 8-4 win over Limpopo, but suffered a defeat to Northern Cape by 9-3. The team regained their focus on day three and beat neighbours Eastern Province by 8-4, followed by a 6.5-5.5 win over Southern Cape.
The home team could have come back victors, but the 2014 champions lost to tourn- ament favourites Kwazulu Natal (KZN) by 4.5-7.5 in their last game, finishing in second place to KZN who sailed through the 11-team tournament undefeated.
Baillie said he was pleased with his team’s performance. “This is a remarkable performance considering Border is one of the smallest unions in the country. The team pulled together to what can only be described as a near-perfect team effort.”
Border’s leading performer, Niel du Preez, finished unbeaten in the singles while newcomer Jarred Scharneck finished as one of the top points scorers in the tournament with Ben Jonas and Pietie Nel rounding off the top four scoring positions.
Baillie remained hopeful that they would have a repeat of their 2014 victory in next year’s tournament at the San Lameer Golf Estate in KZN. “Most years we have finished in the middle of the table with a victory three years ago and a second place this year. I’m confident we will go one step further as Border teams generally perform well at coastal venues as we did three years ago at the Fish River Sun golf course.”
The team has been in existence for close to 60 years and is made up of players from Indwe, King William’s Town, Aliwal North, Komani and Cradock. Their sponsors include Coca Cola, Queen Motor Spares, Civil and General, East Cape Fuels, Queenstown Ford, WG Mica and Queens Casino and Hotel.