• MOPANI Copper Mines 2014 Zambia Open Champion Willie Coetsee of South Africa hoists the trophy after it was presented to him by Vice-President Guy Scott (centre) during prize giving ceremony at Nkana Golf Club in Kitwe yesterday as ZGU president Charles Mwanza looks on. Picture by MOFFAT CHAZINGWA
By FELIX MALUNGA
At Nkana Golf Club-
SOUTH African, Wallie Coetsee’s 17-year patience finally paid off yesterday when he shot an incredible 15-under-par 273 to be crowned the Mopani Copper Mines 2014 Zambia Open Championship in Kitwe.
His last Sunshine Tour victory was the FNB Namibia Open Championship in 1997.
Coetsee, the son of a tomato farmer, kept his nerve to fend off a late fierce challenge from 2012 winner Justin Harding and Danie Van Tonder whom he beat by a stroke to pick up his biggest career pay cheque of R410,229.70 (about K258,444).
With Republican Vice-President, Guy Scott and other dignitaries watching from the first floor VIP balcony of the refurbished Nkana Golf Club and pressure mounting, the 41-year-old Eastern Cape resident dropped a shot on the final 18th hole but he had already done enough to win the richest-ever tournament in Africa outside South Africa.
“I‘ve no words! I am just emotional right now. It was tough, I only failed on the last three holes. Luckily on number 17, I did a good six iron and almost made an eagle. It was nice to have two putts.
I wish I can roll up this course and put it in the bag. I will be back next year to defend it, since it seems Zambia is a good hunting ground for me,” Coetsee, who has been joint leader since Friday, said after shooting 65, 69, 68 and 71 over four days.
Italian Francesco Laporta tied for fourth with South African Jean Hugo on 13-under-par 275.
Airtel/Samsung Pro-Am winner, CJ Du Plessis finished on 12-under-par 276 to share the sixth place with South African compatriot, Erik Van Rooyen.
Defending champion, Adilson Da Silva surrendered the title after ending his visit to Kitwe on eight-under-par 280 to tie for 12th with three others.
Top local professional, Dayne Moore carded a final 74 to finish on two-under-par 286 and pick up the $5,000 best-performer prize for Zambia.
The Ndola golfer tied for 38 with four South Africans and receive R17, 340.90 (about K8, 622) prize money.
The 21-year-old Moore started the final round strongly and was on six-under at number six but dropped three shots consecutively on seventh, eighth and ninth to finish the front nine on minus three.
He regained his four-under after birding the 12th but a string of bogeys on the 14th, 15th and 16th saw him drop to minus one but got a shot back on the 17th to close his tour of duty.
Moore, whose score of nine-under-par 210 four years ago is still unbeaten by a local player, expressed disappointment with his final display, saying his target was to finish in the top 10.
A total 70 golfers, who played the final two rounds, had a share of the $250,000 prize money.
Meanwhile, Scott, during prize presentation, encouraged Zambians to take part in sport activities at all levels and thanked Mopani Copper Mines for sponsoring the Zambia Open.
