Slabbert wins Nedbank SA Disabled Open by 17 shots

Langebaan, Western Cape (9 May 2012) – Daniel Slabbert successfully defended his Nedbank SA Disabled Open title with a staggering 17-shot victory at the Langebaan Country Estate on Wednesday.
Slabbert took an 11-shot lead into the final round, and closed with a 75 for a winning total of 222.
“I’m very happy. It was a good day for me,” said Slabbert, a single leg amputee who plays off a two handicap and who never dreamed he would be able to pursue his passion for the game following the accident that claimed his leg.
The young golfer from Kathu in the Northern Cape lost his left leg when he landed wrong on a trampoline and fell through a window.
“As a child I always wanted to be a professional golfer. After the accident, I wondered what I would do and how I’d get a life going. But sport gives you a life. I’ve had a lot of support from disabled people, and my family.”
The win caps a remarkable year in Slabbert’s life after his breakthrough victory here in 2011.
“Last year changed my life. I had opportunities to play overseas, and it got my career started. Now I want to pursue my dream of trying to get onto the Sunshine Tour. I’m working on my game at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, so I’m ready for the challenge.”
Apart from a triple bogey on the seventh, Slabbert was hardly under pressure on the final day. In reality it was a battle for second place, which went to Reinard Schuhknecht on 239 following rounds of 82 77 and 80.
Iglin Grobbelaar, twice a winner of this tournament, finished third on 241 with rounds of 82 83 and 76.
The gala dinner and awards evening was run by Martin Myers ,with MC Arnold Geerts from Supersport and Dale Hayes conducted the charity Auction.

Leading Scores:
222 Daniel Slabbert 77 70 75
239 Reinard Schuhknecht 82 77 80
241 Iglin Grobbelaar 82 83 76
244 Christo de Jager 77 81 86
249 Robin Singh 85 85 79
250 Chris Wood 85 83 82
252 Greg Esterhuizen 89 83 80
253 Morne Cronje 87 76 90
256 Trevor Reich 88 83 85

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