Smith makes Sunshine Tour cut
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday March 23, 2017 13:11
He was placed 17th after a slow start to the week, with some unlucky breaks on the last day, and will have his playing card for the 2017 season.
The 63 gross score was a new course record at the tough Randpark club Firethorn course in Johannesburg, where he will be displayed in their golfing Hall of Fame.
“The putter was on form in round two and three. This is what I have been working on for this season, and is the key to any good performance. My short game skill is really my top goal for this year, and is what I am focusing on,” Stuart said from his South African base.
Smith now goes into the 2017 season with his South African tour card, after struggling in 2016 where he lost his playing privileges after missing the cut in the Tshwane Open in February 2017.
Smith will travel to Harare in mid April for the Zimbabwe Open, where he hopes to launch off quickly this year, followed by Zambian Open and two Swaziland tournaments early May.
Smith said his success could not have been possible without the sponsorship he received for the past two seasons from M&P Cables Botswana and Bluetree World of Golf.
“They gave me all the financial assistance and support. It has been three years trying to secure Zebra funding from Botswana National Sport Commission with no success. I need the funding to help me with training and playing costs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Botswana Golf Union (BGU) will send a team of four to Ndola, Zambia for the Region Five Championship in April.
BGU vice president-technical, Peter Podise told Mmegi Sport yesterday that four golfers made the cut after weekend play-offs held in Gaborone to pick the national team. Podise said 12 golfers competed over 72 holes and four made the cut.
“We had a rough 2016 which saw us failing to follow our calendar of events due to sponsors pulling out. That affected the performance of players,” Podise said.
The 17-year-old Clayton Hunter Shangare (315 points) finished first while the other spots went to Dikgang Lemogang (321 points), Leroy Pearmain (321 points) and Billy Anabwani (321 points).