The old saying holds true that the early bird catches the worm, and that was certainly the case at the Atlantic Beach Open, during which 52 players took to the course at 7:00 a.m. to compete for the coveted title.

The golf course has made noticeable progress over the past few years. One can only agree that it is comparable to some of the finest in the province thanks to the improvements made to the bunker design and overall course maintenance.

As Table Mountain loomed in the background, it was guns blazing as the players navigated the rolling fairways and undulating green complexes.

The winning script was written by Jack Buchanan (Milnerton) despite the best efforts of his competitors. Buchanan outwitted and outplayed them to secure an unforgettable victory.

His performance can only be described as a masterclass and one to be remembered.

It was Buchanan’s stellar start on holes 2, 3, 4 and 5 that led to four birdies in a row. Following this, he added four more birdies on holes 8, 12, 15 and 16. The only blemish on his scorecard was a bogey on hole 9. It was an impressive 65 that set the tone for the remainder of the day.

The second round was no different for Buchanan as he continued to extend his lead. Four more birdies and an eagle on hole 10 added salt to the wounds of his competitors.

Matthew Lotz (Milnerton) earned the second place podium finish after shooting 70 and 71 to finish nine strokes behind Buchanan. While he recorded eight birdies and one eagle, six bogeys marred his score card, depriving him of the opportunity to capture his maiden Open trophy at this year’s event.

In third place, Elmo Barnard (Strand), the winner of the 2022 Steenberg Open, demonstrates continued progress and is showing signs of increasing prominence. He posted rounds of 74 and 69.

The women’s division was won by Lize-Mari Prinsloo (Bellville) with a one-shot victory over Isabella Crafford (Strand). With both players recording scores of 77 in round one, there was no room for error heading into round two. The dual was well received by both ladies and none of them allowed their guard to be lowered. Ultimately, the tournament result was determined by one shot, which belonged to Lize-Mari, who posted a round of 80, one better than Isabella’s 81.

To view the full results, please click here

In no particular order, we would like to thank all our sponsors, Peninsula Beverages, The Pro Shop and Subtropico, who helped make the PAT Series a success.