Strand Golf Club hosted the WP Junior Boys Championship from 6 – 8 December. We were set for an empathic season finale.

Oliver Scriven started the front nine with a 38, two over par, but recovered on the back nine with a 32. He recorded birdies on holes 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18. He finished on two under par 70 and clinched the WP Junior Boys Strokeplay Championship. The runner-up was Nicolas van der Vyver, who posted a score of 71.

Due to unforeseen weather conditions, the second round was aborted due to waterlogged greens.

 

Matchplay rounds started on Saturday with 16 top qualifiers in the U/19A division, 8 top qualifiers in the U/15A division, and 8 players in the U/13A division.

Jack Rance and Alwyn Rossouw reached the U/13A Matchplay Finals. Alwyn eliminated Sergio Dowrie and Christian Swanepoel and Jack eliminated Max Fourie and Louw Schoeman. Alwyn began the round by making two birdies in the first five holes to put himself ahead of his opponent. Rossouw prevailed with a convincing 4&2 victory in the U/13A Matchplay.

Joel Neethling and Alexander van Rooyen advanced to the finals in the U/15A division. Joel eliminated Daniel van den Berg and Moaim Henry. Alexander van Rooyen eliminated Zach Potgieter and Traigh Pathon. Alexander and Joel’s match was a nail-biter, with the lead changing several times. Joel came out on top, beating Alexander 1 up.

Andries van der Vyver stood out in the U/19A Matchplay section, beating Tristan Boise in round one, Strokeplay champion Oliver Scriven in the quarterfinals, and Boston Franks in the semi-finals. Nicholas Thompson won his matches against Nathan van den Berg, Evan Marais, and local Strand member Nicolas van der Vyver. The U/19A Matchplay Finals were played between Andries van der Vyver and Nicholas Thompson. Van der Vyver saved his best for last, making birdie on hole 2 and back-to-back eagles on holes 4 and 5. The explosive start from Van der Vyver took Thompson by surprise. Van der Vyver was 5 up after 6 holes. Van der Vyver kept his composure to win 5&4 and lift the WP Junior Boys Matchplay Championship Trophy.