Northern Amateur Open: Garrick Higgo wins tight championship match

RANDPARK, SOUTH AFRICA (March 18, 2016)--In a rain soaked week at the Northern Amateur Open Championship it was Garrick Higgo emerging victorious 2-and-1 over Angus Ellis−Cole in the finals. The championship match at Firethorn Course at Randpark Golf Club was a back and forth affair. Neither player had more then a one hole advantage through the first 15 holes. However, down the stretch Higgo took control winning the 16th and 17th holes to seal the match. In the consolation match Marco Steyn defeated Tyrone Gibb 6-and-4. Steyn won three of the first five holes to take control before wrapping the match up on the 16th. It was the second straight win for Higgo on the South African amateur tour. Last week Higgo won the Curro SA Juniors International against some of the world's best junior amateur players. Higgo reached the championship match with a 5-and-4 win over Gibb. Ellis−Cole punched his ticket thanks to hard fought 1-up victory against Steyn. SEMIFINAL MATCHES Angus Ellis−Cole vs. Marco Steyn Garrick Higgo vs. Tyrone Gibb Angus Ellis-Cole reached the semifinals on the strength of a 2-and-1 win over Dylan Naidoo. His semifinal round opponent will be Marco Steyn who defeated Jason Smith 4-and-3. The other semifinal will feature Garrick Higgo, a 5-and-4 victor over Kyle McClatchie. Higgo will be matched against Tyrone Gibb tomorrow. Gibb won a tight quarterfinal match 2-and-1 over Jovan Rebula. QUARTERFINAL MATCHES Angus Ellis−Cole vs. Dylan Naidoo Jason Smith vs. Marco Steyn Garrick Higgo vs. Kyle McClatchie Jovan Rebula vs. Tyrone Gibb STROKE PLAY RESULTS 18-year-old Dylan Kok (3-under par) surprised many earning medalist honors in the stroke play portion of the event. The qualifying was cut to 54-holes due to inclement weather. Kok won by two stokes over Tristen Strydom (1-under par) and Aubrey Beckley (1-under par) who finished in second place. After taking home medalist honors Kok was the top seed once the tournament switched to match play. -South African Golf Association contributed to this story