Players excel for KZN President's Team

The KZN President's Team that competed against Durban Country Club. From left, Kwanele Mkhoma is second in the line, Siyanda Mwandla is fourth and Sphelele Mbokazi is fifth

Four SA Golf Development Board (SAGDB) players have taken the chance offered to them by selection to the KZN President's Team to prove their potential as future stars. 16-year old Sanele Khoza from Newcastle, 15-year old Siyanda Mwandla from Umhlali, 16-year old Kwanele Mkhoma from Port Shepstone and 17-year old Sphelele Mbokazi from Umhlali have all been part of an impressive performance from the 8-player team in the KZN Central Scratch League.

Due to strong performances, the Prisdent's Team is currently tied in third position in the league, with two games to play against Bluff GC (in July) and Durban Golf Club (in August). If they win both of these games they stand a good chance of winning the league, depending on how Royal Durban Golf Club & Tanglewood Golf Club, who are currently first and second, perform.

"The KZN Golf Union executive is very proud of this team's performance," said the SAGDB's manager in the region, Joseph Kunene. "This is the level where the players have to prove themselves in order for them to be considered for the U/23 teams. The union has agreed to continue supporting them during league games and other union-organised tournaments to nurture their talent."

The team played twice in May, racking up convincing victories both times. In the match against Cato Ridge Country Club early in the month, the President's Team ran away 9 1/2 to 2 1/2 winners. Sanele and Sphelele won their foursomes match 4 and 3, while Siyanda and Kwanele won their foursomes 4 and 2. In the singles matches, Siyanda dominated his encounter to win 7 and 6, while Sanele took his match to the last hole for a half.

Later in the month, the team came up against Durban Country Club and was equally impressive, winning by 9 points to 3. Sanele didn't play in this fixture, but Kwanele and Siyanda halved their foursomes match. In the singles, Kwanele won his match 4 and 2 and Sphelele won 1 up.

"It's a wonderful experience for these youngsters to play in such a competitive league against top junior and adult players," Kunene said. "It is also exposing them to format in which inter-provincial events are competed - playing foursomes in the morning and singles in the afternoon. So this won't be something new to them when they are selected for provincial honours."

Kunene also feels that the experience of competing under pressure will stand them in good stead, although this is something the players still need to work on. He also believes they need to concentrate on playing the course and not the opponent.

All the SAGDB players in the KZN President's Team were selected based on their performances during Junior Golf Foundation events in the province. To be considered, their handicaps also had to be between zero and eight.