Big putt helps Kevin McGowan to Weekday Club Championships win

Kevin McGowan turned on the good golf in the second round of the Weekday Club Championships to lift the title.

On day one on Bushwillow Kevin had a nett 75 but he improved by no less than eight shots on day two on Firethorn for a nett 67 and a 142 aggregate to secure top honours.

“One of the highlights for me on Firethorn,” he said, “was a birdie on the par-4 1st hole, which was the 10th of the day for our group as we started on the back nine. I hit a drive and a seven-iron onto the green there at number one. I had a long putt but playing partner Thiruven Naidoo had an even longer one on the same line. Of course he putted first which gave me the perfect read. Well, knowing the line, I holed that hallelujah putt so the club captain played his part in my birdie three!” Kevin exclaimed with a broad smile.

Kevin with his brothers Derek, a former club captain, and Alan have been salt of the earth members at Randpark. “Alan, our elder brother, is not playing right now because of injury but we all love the camaraderie here at the club where there’s such a good bunch of people and such a good vibe. Socially, it’s tops. And while the club has had some challenges recently I now think it’s in a good space going forward.” Kevin and Derek belong to the school within the club known as the SADS.

The Weekday Club Champion each year is decided on nett but, for the record, the best gross prize this time goes to long-hitting 18-year-old Luke van Vuren who shot 76 on Bushwillow and 77 on Firethorn despite feeling really sick. After nine holes on day one, he was ready to withdraw but after talking to our new golf director Daniel Gouws took a tablet and changed his mind.

“I play off scratch so 76 and 77 wasn’t what I was hoping for but I guess a win’s a win,” said the talented teen who is in matric at St Stithians and has only been playing golf for five years.

“My aim is to get to America the year after next to play college golf,” he said after prize-giving. “But right now I need to rush home because I’ve got a history test and I need to do some studying!”

Written by Randpark member Grant Winter.