S’TH African golf

Former Mount Murray golfer Herman Loubser won the Sunshine Tour Final Stage Qualifying School last week, thus earning his place onto the main professional golf circuit in South Africa.

The 18-year-old ex-island resident was competing in the Sunshine Tour’s Q-School at Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg.

Loubser recorded an opening-round score of four-under-par 68 - helped by five birdies and only one bogey - which was good enough to leave him well placed in joint fifth with several other competitors.

Herman then blitzed the second round of the four-round event, recording no fewer than seven birdies, 10 pars and only one bogey again.

That impressive score was enough to move him into the outright lead at the halfway point of the competition with a combined score of 134 points, two clear of nearest challenger Chris Lloyd.

A third-round score of 71 was bettered slightly by Lloyd who closed the gap to a single point heading into the fourth and final round.

However, Loubser recorded a three-under-par final round on the last day which took him two strokes clear of the chasing Martin Rohwer, with a 20-under-par overall total of 360

Speaking to.www.sunshinetour.com Loubser commented: ’I’m over the moon. It’s such a good feeling. To walk away with the trophy is such a good feeling. It was a gruelling challenge out there.’

After struggling with the 16th hole throughout the first three rounds, the former Mount Murray man was glad to have conquered his nemesis hole:

’I stood on the 16th green today and thought "Oh, Herman, just two-putt this, please," and I managed to do it. I finally conquered it.

Q-School is probably one of the most gruelling golfing challenges for amateurs and professionals players alike, but this edition saw eight amateurs, including Loubser, secure their cards for next season.

The English pairing of Lloyd and Scot Campbell finished in third and fourth respectively and took the number of new foreign nationals who will compete on the Sunshine Tour in the forthcoming season to nine.

Speaking to the Manx Independent earlier this week, Herman commented: ’I’m very relieved about winning. All I was really aiming to do for the week was to finish inside the top 30, so to come through with a win was such a bonus and a great way to kickstart my professional career!

’My next tournament will be the Zimbabwe open and then I’ll be playing in a few events across Africa, just on the Sunshine Tour.

Loubser is also quick to pay tribute to the Isle of Man and the support that he receives from Manxies and his old club.

’The island made me play golf in all conditions, it definitely helped me play in the wind and it helped my learn how to grind in the wet conditions aswell. I’ve realized now how important it is to be able to play in all conditions and the Isle of Man was a great place to find a great variety of weather.

’I’ve been back to visit the island once since I left and would love to go visit again. Even after three years I still have so many great friends over that I can’t wait to see again, however I’ll have to do well this year on the tour to make that a reality.

’The support that I still receive from all the Manxies is amazing; the members at my old club Mount Murray are always sending me messages of support and encouragement. Even my school friends are very involved with my golf and supporting me. I can’t thank all of them enough!’