BOARDMAN WINS SCHOLARSHIP AT THE GOLF SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE

Glenvista golfer Terence Boardman clinched the 2007 TGSE Order of Merit title in a thrilling end to the academy year. In doing so he earns a full scholarship for the TGSE Elite Academy in 2008 worth R54, 000. In a tense climax that the FED-EX Cup can only dream of, Boardman and 3 other players fought it out over the back nine of the final tournament of the year, all with a chance of taking the coveted order of merit title.

The order of merit is contested by full-time students at The Golf School of Excellence over 54 tournament rounds throughout the year. The tournaments are held on the East & West Courses at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC, and range from 18-hole to 72-hole tournaments. Previous winners of the prestigious order of merit include Sunshine Tour Professional Toto Thimba and Gauteng North amateur Rae Mackie.

Those still contesting the 2007 title in the final 72-hole tournament were Boardman, Gavin Thorpe from Namibia, Herman Vorster and Piet Le Grange both from North-West Province. All have shown solid form throughout the year and were once again in contention. A win for any one of them could have meant the order of merit title and the scholarship.

Boardman led going into the final round on -4, and at one stage during the round only 4 shots seperated all four players. Vorster, the long time order of merit leader was on a charge, sparked by an eagle 2 on his opening hole. With 4 holes to go it was still anyone's title. It was at this stage that Boardman turned up a gear and finished with 3 birdies in his last 4 holes to win by one shot from Thorpe, and snatch the order of merit title by the smallest of margins from 3rd placed Le Grange. Boardman plans to stay amateur for one more year and then head to tour school at the end of 2008.

The Golf School of Excellence- Elite Academy provides a competitive, learning environment for potential champions to develop their technical skills and learn how to win, in preparation for a professional tournament career. Student can also choose to study for the PGA Diploma, which equips graduates for a career in the golf industry.

www.tgse-golf.com