Golf: National Championship - Jean-Baptiste makes it three wins in a row |10 July 2014

Affectionately known as ‘Jerry Jerry’, Jerry Jean-Baptiste is for the third year running the winner of the national golf championship played in late June at the Seychelles Golf Club, Anse Aux Pins.

Often referred to as the ‘Seychelles Open’, the national champions is the toughest and sternest test for all local golfers as they get to compete over 54 holes over three days rather than the usual 18-hole events played once a week.

This year, a field of 42 players took to the course with Jean-Baptiste looking to defend his title and win his third in a row. As is traditionally done, the field was split into three categories being Gold (0 to 9 handicappers), Silver (10 to 18 handicappers) and Bronze (above 18 handicappers). The overall champion is determined on gross score and handicaps therefore do not play a role in deciding this winner, however, each category also produces three net winners – first, second and third positions – after handicaps have been taken into account.

The first two days were fiercely fought out in all categories with some outstanding net scores recorded, including a brilliant 64 by Jemmy Esther and Damien Hoareau, both playing in the Gold category. Eyebrows were also raised when two nine-year-olds – Yohaan Rizvi (34 handicapper) and Jaden Deltel (21 handicapper) – both competing against more experienced adult golfers in the Bronze category, carded a net 63 and a net 66 on day one respectively.  Day one closed out with Jemmy Esther (69) and Andrew Hoareau (69) leading the field on gross score.

Day two was a moving day. All golfers wanted to at least shoot themselves into contention. Captain Alex Ellenberger shot an amazing 7 under net score of 61 to take the lead in the Silver category, youngsters Yohaan and Jaden opened the gap between them and the rest of their category competitors with an unbelievable net 57 (11 under par!) and 63 respectively, and talented 3-handicapper Richard D’Offay shot a steady 71 gross score to lead the overall championship by 3 strokes after shooting the same score the day before.

Day three saw many golfers falter as the physical demands of a three-day tournament took its toll. Competitive pressure also played a role as inconsistencies in scores crept in. In the final group, Jerry Jerry was quietly playing his steady, patient brand of golf. By the 18th hole, it had become apparent that Jerry had shot his way into the lead and with a cool head he calmly drained his final putt to emerge as the overall champion for 2014 with a total three-day gross score of 215.

Andrew Hoareau took the runner-up spot with 219 while D’Offay stumbled to a final round 78 and an overall score of 220, which was tied by Jemmy Esther.

Joe Morin, representing the tournament sponsors, H. Savy Insurance, Mahe Shipping Co. Ltd. and Corvina Investments, was on hand to present the winners with their prizes together with club captain Ellenberger.

Mr Morin pledged the company’s full support of this most prestigious event and expressed the desire to continue to invest in golf in Seychelles.

On another good note, William Weidner, a Seychellois pro golfer and current director of golf at the SGC, shot a superb 196 gross score over the three days.

Final results were as follows:
Champion 2014 (gross result)
Jerry-Jean Baptiste (215)
Runner up to champion (gross result)
Andrew Hoareau (219)
Gold (net results)
1st – Andrew Hoareau (204); 2nd – Alix Esparon (205); 3rd – Jemmy Esther (205)
Silver (net results)
1st – Alex Ellenberger (207); 2nd – Erwin Pragassen (211); 3rd – Axel Andrade (214)
Bronze (net results)
1st – Yohaan Rizvi (183); 2nd – Jaden Deltel (209); 3rd – Joe Elisa (229)
Overall net winner
Yohaan Rizvi (183)*
Best Saturday (net result)
Damien Hoareau (65)
Best Sunday
Richard D’Offay (68)
Best Monday
Godfrey Andrade (68)
*Yohaan’s 183 score was 21 better than the second best net score (Andrew Hoareau – 204)