Boshoff breaks through in Blue Label Development Tour

Serengeti’s LB Boshoff needed four playoff holes to see off Ricky Hendler and claim his maiden Blue Label Development Tour win after both players carded 66s in regulation at State Mines Country Club on Monday.

Boshoff was still out playing when Hendler got in the clubhouse on six-under to lead the field in Brakpan. But the 23-year-old Boshoff had other ideas as to who was to walk away with the victory in the East Rand, and a sudden-death playoff was needed to determine the victor.

Both players made pars on the first three holes of sudden death before Boshoff snatched his breakthrough win, thanks to the par he made on the fourth playoff hole while Hendler dropped.

“I’m lost for words,” said Boshoff. “It’s a great feeling to have because I have been knocking on the door for a while. This win is a confidence booster because I have been playing really well and just couldn’t get over the line. The playoff was nerve-wracking but I tried to play the shot and told myself a birdie or a par will be good. In the end, it worked out for me.”

Starting from the 10^th tee on Monday, Boshoff was one-under after his front nine and seeing how competitive the rest of the field was, he needed to produce a solid score coming home. He did exactly that on the back; making four birdies, an eagle and a bogey to seal a round of 66 and return home triumphant.

“I was playing well and my wedges were really good today,” added Boshoff. “This is not a very long golf course and I needed my wedges to be really good and I am happy with the final result. This win means a lot to me and it will go a long way to show me that I can do this and that I am good enough to be amongst these guys.”

Before his start in Brakpan, the 26-year-old Hendler had played in four Blue Label tournaments and has had only one finish outside the top 10. His best placing was the runners-up finish at the Modderfontein event on the 19^th of September. He came third in the last tournament at Benoni Country Club before coming short at State Mines.

For all his successes this season, a win on this 10-tournament series has eluded Hendler and Monday marked yet another near-miss for the left-handed player.

The next tournament will be played at Hendler’s home course, Dainfern Golf Club.

There are 10 tournaments in the series and all are being played in Gauteng. There are no entry fees required from the participating players, ensuring more playing opportunities. The Blue Label Development Tour events carry a R50 000 purse for each of the 10 one-day tournaments while expanding playing opportunities for players to sharpen their skills further.