Smith continues to shine at Sunshine Tour
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday October 8, 2014 17:17
An unfortunate, unplayable lie and average finish to round 1 nearly cost him chances of making the cut with a 73, but two good rounds of 69 and 67 saw him scream up the leader board from T52 position to T20 at the end.
Smith was determined to end on a high this week and the goal was achieved.
The player is now ranked 92 in the top 100 of Sunshine Tour.
“European tour school was such an experience three weeks ago. I was slow out of the blocks and could not get back.
Next year I will definitely have knowledge behind me to get on top of things,” said Smith. Chairperson of Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of Botswana, Stuart father, Steve Smith explained to Mmegi Sport yesterday that the latest place is earns him approximately R8, 000.
The next two months will be busy for Stuart with three European Tour co-sanctioned events that are coming up in November and early December including the South Africa Open.
Stuart admitted that he still had a long road as he has to pre-qualify against an international field of hopefuls for a place in the tour but added that he is impressed with the direction he is heading.
The 23-year old golfer turned professional two years ago, but found his feet this season. Ties for fourth at Big Easy Kempton Park and fifth at Big Easy Irene gave him a first taste of contention.
Smith has completed a three-year PGA Diploma at the Golf School of Excellence Academy in 2010.
After qualifying for his diploma, he captained Botswana at the Zone VI Championships in both Botswana and Kenya and at the Eisenhower Trophy in Argentina.
A crowning moment for Smith was his second-place overall finish at the All Africa team championships in 2010. The Serengeti Golf Estate representative made his first mark on the Sunshine Tour in August, finishing tied eighth at the Wild Waves Challenge after carding rounds of 67, 67 and 68.
Going places: Smith