GolfRSA’s hottest prospect and number one amateur in the country, Casey Jarvis, used his course-knowledge of the State Mines Country Club to his advantage this week and his one-shot victory on Wednesday proved it all.
He came into the final round tied for the lead at nine-under for the tournament and got straight to work in the final round, birdieing five of his first seven holes while a single bogey tainted his front nine score-card. A quick birdie after the turn to get things back on track and Jarvis was solid from there on with pars until the last hole where he made another drop to sign for a 68 which brought his total to 13-under-par for a win.
Jarvis has been in scintillating form from the beginning of the year and some of his highlights include a record-shattering victory as the youngest winner in South African Stroke Play Championship history when he won the title in dominant fashion at Randpark Golf Club in February, while at 15 years, seven months and 22 days old, Jarvis became the youngest Big Easy IGT Tour winner after a four-shot triumph in the Race to Q-School #4 at the same State Mines layout.
“I didn’t really feel much pressure,” said Jarvis after his win, “maybe it’s because I know the course well. The round was good but was a bit stressful there on the last hole. I didn’t play the greatest today but I was happy to score well and get the win.
“The final round was good but I struggled a bit with the golf swing today. I putted nicely, however, and I was happy to score well eventually and win. This is my second IGT win, and I hope I can win again next week.”
Former GolfRSA squad member Therion Nel played some solid golf all week long but his three-under 69 final-round meant he fell short of forcing a playoff with Jarvis and therefore succumbed to a one-stroke defeat. Despite a gallant effort which saw him card a six-under 66 round on day three, Michael Kok had to do with third place as his 11-under-par total wasn’t enough to win him this title.
Amateur Yurav Premlall signed for a perfect 68 in the final round and walks away with the fourth spot finish after a solid week. Vaughn Van Deventer also proved that course-knowledge can, sometimes, work in one’s advantage, finishing the tournament at his home course in a strong fifth position at nine-under-par.
