South Africa’s four-man amateur golf team face a stern test of their abilities when they do battle with favourites Australia on the opening day of the third biannual Southern Cross Cup tournament at Humewood Golf Course on Wednesday.
South Africa were outgunned in the first two editions of the tournament, which also includes Argentina and New Zealand. In 1999 they finished third and in 2001 they were forced to settle for the wooden spoon. Australia won the tournament on both occasions.
Australia are once again favoured to lift the trophy on Friday afternoon.
In South Africa’s case, home ground this year will count for nought as nobody from Port Elizabeth has been included in the four-man team of Ryan Tipping, Grant Veenstra, Matthew Kent and Rossouw Loubser.
They do, however, enjoy the advantage of local support and, having played and excelled in the EP Strokeplay championship at the weekend, they will have instilled the necessary confidence in their ability to beat the best the southern hemisphere has to offer.
SA manager Dr Carel Nieuwoudt says his team is focused and ready for the onslaught.
”The preparation of the team has gone according to plan. The players have now played five rounds at Humewood since Saturday and are optimistic about the way they are striking the ball,” said Nieuwoudt on Tuesday.
”The results of the EP Strokeplay championship with Matthew Kent winning, Rossouw Loubser second and Grant Veenstra third, is an indication that the team is on a high,” he added.
Australia have a potent weapon in their arsenal in Nick Flanagan.
The 19-year-old from Belmont Golf Club in New South Wales became the first Australian in 100 years and the first foreign-born player in 32 years to win the United States Amateur title this year.
He is the second-youngest champion to Tiger Woods, who was 18 when he won in 1994.
That is the calibre of player that the South Africans are up against on Wednesday. And when one adds the impressive CV’s of his teammates James Nitties, Luke Hickmott and Michael Sim one can truly appreciate the strength of this team.
Wednesday’s order of play:
7am, Foursomes: Australia v South Africa, New Zealand v Argentina.
11am, Singles: Australia v South Africa, New Zealand v Argentina.
The teams are:
South Africa: Ryan Tipping (Rand Park, capt), Rossouw Loubser (Services GC Pretoria), Grant Veenstra (Belville), Matthew Kent (Clovelly).
Australia: Michael Sim, James Nitties, Luke Hickmott, Nick Flanagan.
New Zealand: Mark Smith, Brad Shilton, Bradley Iles, Mathew Holton.
Argentina: Fernando Chiesa, Matias Anselmo, Carlos Pedrozo, Carlos Cardeza. – Sapa