Wicks to light up at Atlantic

CHRIS WICKS of Durbanville Golf Club leads the Western Province Premier Amateur Tour rankings heading into today’s Atlantic Beach Open.

Two top-five finishers and a facile victory last time out in the recent Westlake Open sees him on 203 points and 43.5 ahead of Bellville’s Dean Robert Pilkington.

Sean Howell (Durbanville) completes the podium with Darren Dunlop (Durbanville) and Riaan Lewis ( Bellville) rounding off the top five.

“I’ve had a great start to the tour and hope to keep it that way,” said Wicks.

“Atlantic is a fine course and a difficult one if the wind picks up.

“One has to be on point with game management from the get-go and the starting point is accuracy off the tee box.

“If you’re in play on the fairways then you stand a good chance of cashing in with birdies and better. But like I said, any sign of the Cape Doctor will derail the best-laid plans.

“Let’s just wait to see what greets us when we rock up at the course.”

“Obviously having performed consistently through three tournaments helps my cause,” added Wicks.

“I started out with a fourthplaced finish at Bellville and then came home third in the Parow Open. I followed up with first place at Westlake after defeating Elton James in a sudden-death play-off.

“But now for a new challenge on a different course and I’ll be aiming for another leaderboard finish.”

Wicks, 24, has certainly improved as a player. The happy- go- lucky fellow was shy on consistency. He would make birdies as easy as he did double-bogeys, and that spoilt the party in terms of challenging for titles.

But he’s matured now and is far more disciplined in his approach, hence the improved results.

“Golf is a tough game at the best of times. I felt in the past I wasn’t playing to my full potential and needed to re-assess things,” said Wicks, who hails from the Eastern Cape.

“Now it’s a case of taking it one shot at a time. Patience and a clear mind is key to shooting competitive rounds. You could say my game is still a work in process.

“Things are coming along nicely and that leaves me feeling positive for what lies ahead.”