info@sadga.co.za
By: Craig Stirton
Irene Country Club, 9 May 2022: A second-successive round of 74 propelled David Watts to an incredible 22-shot victory in the Irene Disabled Open at Irene Country Club on Monday.
Weeks removed from his barnstorming 20-stroke win at the Ebotse Links Disabled Open, Watts’ latest effort leaves no doubt about his immense talent.
Watts offset a bogey at his opening hole of the day with a birdie-4 at the next before carding seven consecutive pars to turn in 36.
By the time Watts dropped shots at the 14th, 15th and 17th, the result had long since been deemed a foregone conclusion. A closing birdie at the par-5 18th was a fine exclamation mark on another dominant display from the Durban Country Club member.
The battle for the runner-up spot was a decidedly tighter affair with Robin Singh’s rounds of 80 and 90 respectively helping him secure second spot, three shots ahead of Curtley Roberts.
Emmanuel victorious in Physically-Disabled Stableford
Mike Emmanuel announced himself to his fellow SADGA members with a six-point triumph in the Physically-Disabled Stableford division.
Leading after 18 holes, Emmanuel backed up his opening-round of 41 points with a further 33 points. In doing so, Emmanuel beat Sebastian Crawford. Crawford played a superb final round, carding 39 points which was 10 points better than his first-round score.
Blind golfer Charlene Pienaar meanwhile was in 3rd-place with a two-round tally of 66 points.
Dos Santos Completes Six-shot Deaf Medal Triumph
Albano Dos Santos won the Deaf Medal division by six despite a final round of 100 which was 11-shots worse than his round-one score.
By contrast, Mark Maconochie improved on his opening round by a whopping 15 shots, shooting a final-round 90 to secure runner-up honours.
Van der Berg Does It Again
Shanon Van der Berg – winner of the Open Series’ Deaf Stableford component and Ebotse Links Disabled Open respectively – emerged a nine-point victor over Mpho Thathla.
Van der Berg carded an impressive 42 points in the final round while Thathla posted 33 points.
Final Thoughts
The Irene Disabled Open was a great success and provided an opportunity for new members to stake their claim in the different divisions which is fantastic as it serves to deepen the talent pool within South African Disabled Golf.
Our more seasoned members meanwhile illustrated that they’re still a force to be reckoned with at our tournaments so disabled golf in the country is in a fantastic spot at present.
Our thanks to Irene Country Club for being such terrific hosts and to Gauteng Nomads for the considerable assistance they have provided in a number of facets.
Finally to Golf RSA, Gauteng North Golf Union and Central Gauteng Golf Union, thank you for the unwavering support of the SADGA.
For more information about SADGA, please visit www.sadga.co.za or follow SADGA on
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Media enquiries, please contact
Media Liaison
Craig Stirton
t. +27 (0) 83 384 6889
e. craigstirt@gmail.com
SADGA office
Lily Reich
t. +27 (0)82 888 9888 / +27 (0) 21 685 2955
e: lily@sadga.co.za
