Palframan powers to 3-shot victory
After 36 holes, veteran Knysna golfer Ivan Palframan has crowned the champion of the 40th annual Knysna Men’s Amateur Open last Saturday, winning by a three-shot margin.
The Knysna Open, sponsored by Lombkor, takes place every year at Knysna Golf Club and brings together the very best amateur golfers from Knysna and surrounds, with some travelling from as far as Port Elizabeth to take part.
This year marked the 40th edition of the tournament, a landmark year which was met with perfect conditions for some top-class golf with sunny skies overhead and a cool breeze at the par-72, 18-hole course nestled in Hunters Home, just off George Rex Drive.
Players teed off on Saturday 7 December as early as 06:15, with the field divided into two divisions – A and B – based on handicap. Players with a handicap of 9 or lower played in the A-division while those with 10 and above played in the B-division. The day would comprise two rounds of 18 holes to make up 36 holes of competitive golf.
Photo gallery: 40th Knysna Men’s Amateur Open
After the first round, it was Marno Pienaar in the lead thanks to a stellar 5-under round of 67, with George-based golfer Ivan Williams in second after carding a 2-under round of 70, while Palframan carded a 1-over round of 73 to stand in third. The afternoon round would be a nightmare for Pienaar, however, as he carded an 8-over 80 to fall out of contention for the title.
With local support in his favour, Palframan would enjoy far better fortunes than Pienaar and Williams as he bettered
his first round by four shots to card a 4-under 69. This, combined with Pienaar’s nightmare round and Williams’ struggle during the second 18 holes, would see Palframan soar to victory by three shots, ending the day at 2-under par. Williams finished second at 1-over, Eben Spangenberg third at 2-over, with Pienaar in fourth at 3-over.
The B-division would be a lot less tense however, as Willem de Voogt cruised to an eight-shot victory thanks to rounds of 80 and 79, with a total of 159 for the tournament. Dave Partridge was second at 167, with Henri van der Merwe third at 171.
B-division runner-up Dave Partridge launches a drive. Photo: Blake Linder
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News