Let it be recorded – Allan can do strokeplay
Ironically, Allan almost pulled out on the day when another player was unable to make it.
WHILE Richard Allan is well-known for his match play skills on the golf course, where he has claimed some major scalps over the years, stroke play is another animal altogether which he has struggled to conquer.
So he was more than just a bit surprised to win the Zululand Closed Championships at Empangeni Country Club on Sunday with respectable scores of 75 and 71.
In fact, he won the 36-hole Medal format championship with ease, by eight shots.
‘Can you believe it? That sent shock waves around the world,’ he quipped afterwards.
It’s no secret he hates stroke play, where every shot counts and risk isn’t always rewarded.
‘There are two days a year where my mind goes walkabout – club champs time.’
He said the secret to his success was having new clubs in the bag.
‘I’ve got ‘old man’ clubs now – Adams. I’m keeping myself in play. There’s no need to smash a driver on every hole, and I’m hitting these clubs as far as the other guys are hitting their drivers, although it does help when the course is dry.’
Ironically, Allan almost pulled out on the day when another player was unable to make it.
He didn’t really fancy playing as a two-ball, but eventually joined another three-ball and so played in a four-ball.
This is not always ideal in a stroke play event, but it seemed to work for him.
While Allan savoured his win, two of Zululand’s more promising golfers, Matthew Kidd and Etienne Jonck, were struggling to come to terms with the Durban Country Club at the KZN Invitational.
Both took some big numbers, but hopefully the overall experience will have done them some good.
Greg Smith also missed out, as he was sick in bed.
Allan will want all his troops ready for battle when Zululand fight for survival in the Premier League.
There are two games remaining – a very tough away fixture against Mount Edgecombe, followed by most likely a do-or-die game at Royal Durban on August 31.
If Zululand is at full strength, a win is not out of the question.
If Allan can win a stroke play event, nothing is impossible!• The B Division winner in the Zululand championships was Ivan Reddy.
