Local golfers head to world’s largest amateur pairs competition
TWO Phoenix golfers plan to ace it on the fairways when they play this week at the world’s largest amateur pairs competition.
Kris Venketas and Devan Govender will represent South Africa at the International Pairs World Final, taking place in Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands.
International Pairs Licensees in over 27 countries host qualifiers throughout the season; those players who qualify play at the national final in their respective countries, ultimately battle it out for a spot at the International Pairs World Final – and a chance of becoming the next world champions.
The pair, who play for Mount Edgecombe Golf Club, placed second in the SA finals, and together with another South African team qualified for the world finals.
They are among 27 teams from around the world who will be competing in the international event.
The duo said they were excited about the opportunity to play internationally for the first time.
Venketas, 50, said he was looking forward to playing on one of the top-rated courses in Spain, adding that it should be a good tournament.
"Devan and I play similar golf and the way we think about the game is the same and we make a good pairing," said Venketas.
He said that when playing on your own you have to concentrate on the game yourself.
“Playing in pairs you are literally playing for each other. Everything is a discussion. You play a shot and you have to decide who’s going to go for the putt and who’s going to try and make the points. Doubles involves a lot more conversing between your partner. Singles is a lot more about managing your style of play. When you hit a bad shot you gotta put yourself back in the game on your own, but when it comes to doubles you can take a bit more risk because you know your partner is on the fairway and you can take a shot for the green,” he said.
Venketas, a businessman, started playing golf 18 years ago after a friend took him to the golf course and said hit the ball.
“I enjoyed it and started playing every second weekend and joined the club. It is therapeutic as you get to hit something all the time,” said Venketas.
He said he and Govender became partners by chance after they both had previously been partners with their brothers.
“Three years ago, Devan was supposed to play with someone else and that person took another partner. Another guy then decided to play with him, but two days before the tournament that person got sick. I was on the South Coast and my brother did not want to come to play the tournament so I decided to play with Devan. And we have played partners ever since then,” he said.
Govender, 41, a dispatch supervisor for a distribution company, said for an amateur golfer playing in the world finals was one of the best things to do.
“It's a fantastic opportunity to play against other amateur golfers from around the world. We will try to do our best and place on the top of the leaderboard. When playing pairs you know that when you mess up you have a partner to help you.
“I am looking forward to playing on the championship course, where the greens are fast and the bunkers are made of lava ash,” said Govender.
Govender was introduced to the game by his dad at the age of six and after a break returned to the sport about 10 years ago.
