Boksburg golfer impresses at world champs
Local golfer Lionel Reddy finished in the top 10 at the World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) in Durban.
The Boksburg resident tied ninth place on a 298 nett, alongside Allan Anderson from Denmark and Juan Antonio Garcia Ranz from Spain.
Reddy first shot his way to glory at the South African qualifiers and final of the 22nd World Amateur Golfers Championship in September, winning his place to represent team SA in the 22nd edition of the WAGC.
The tournament saw Reddy having a difficult time finding his bearings in the 21-25 handicap group in the beginning before picking up his tempo and charging his way up the field to find himself in the top 10.
Overall, out of 26 competing countries, Team South Africa secured an impressive fourth place on a 1 157 nett, improving on last year’s 21st World Final results in Turkey where South Africa finished fifth.
In podium, team Singapore outclassed the competition to claim first place on a very impressive 1 121 nett, 27 shots ahead of second place winners, Vietnam, who finished on 1 148 nett, closely followed by team Malaysia at third on 1 149 nett.
“Some highly contested scores were carded over the championship across KwaZulu-Natal’s finest golf courses, namely, Durban Country Club, Beachwood CC, Kloof CC and Victoria CC who all played their part in showcasing to the world why KwaZulu-Natal is a sought-after golfing destination,” said Craig Clay-Smith, the tournament spokesperson for the World Amateur Golfers Championship.
” As an amateur golf championship, the talent this year has been nothing short of a world-class tournament with many younger players rising through the ranks and making their mark,”
“The increase in younger talent this year indicates and further cements the World Amateur Golfers Championship as a leader in the development and promotion of amateur golf around the globe and we cannot wait to see what next year has in store.”
It was, in the end, an unforgettable week of golf, with 27 countries in the championship and 23 countries in the invitational coming together in an all-out battle to compete over 72 holes in a medal-play format for the prestigious World Amateur Golfers Championship team trophy and title.
Up to 200 golfers also competed within their respective handicap groups, namely 0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 and 21-25, for the individual trophy and title.
For the full results, visit www.worldgolfers.com – @SabeloBoksburg
