Masters golf team strikes gold
THE Australian Masters golf team has won gold at the Maccabiah Games with Roy Vandersluis also winning a silver medal for the second-best personal score.
HENRY BENJAMIN
THE Australian Masters golf team has won gold at the Maccabiah Games with Roy Vandersluis also winning a silver medal for the second-best personal score. For Vandersluis, the Australian team’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony, it was the round of his life.
“After nine holes, I was still six strokes behind South Africa Greg Smith. He pulled another one ahead, but it was back to six as we stepped onto the 13th tee. I shot a birdie to his par,” he said.
“On the 14th, it was par for me and double bogey for him — three behind. On the 15th, another birdie for me and a bogey for Greg — one behind. We both shot a par on the 16th. The 17th got me a par to his bogey, so we were at the 18th tee!
“But I hit trouble and shot a double bogey giving him the individual gold by two strokes. But it was gold for the team and I am bursting with joy. The greatest round of my life.”
A delighted Vandersluis told J-Wire: “Winning a gold medal at the Maccabiah will remain one of the highlights of my life. I congratulate the whole Aussie team for a superb effort.”
The drama was no less on the Teams event. Australia went into the final round 12 shots behind South Africa, 5 shots behind Israel and 4 behind the USA.
The team situation changed wildly over the final 18 with Australia scoring the gold and the US taking out silver with South Africa bronze.
Keith Robertson, another member of the gold-winning team, took out the bronze for the personal event.
The medal is the first gold for the Australian team at the 18th Maccabiah.
Team members receiving gold along with Vandersluis and Robertson are Alan Jankelowitz, Ian Sandler and Bart Doff. The medals will be presented at the Caeserea Golf Club on Wednesday.