Oh MG, double luck at 13th

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett amateur golfer James Faber, or FJ as he is known, managed an amazing feat during the SA Seniors Open at the Plettenberg Bay Golf and Country Club on Thursday 11 December - he played a hole-in-one on hole 13, where an MG ZS Pro was up for grabs to the first player who played a hole-in-one there.

Only that morning, sponsors Super Group had made the announcement and put the promised MG on display at the hole.

But FJ's hope of owning an MG was short-lived. Professional Brett Liddle shot another hole-in-one at the same hole, within half-an-hour of FJ's feat.

As an amateur, FJ is not eligible to accept prizes over a certain value. However, as a compromise, Super Group announced that FJ will have an MG to drive for a year.

FJ, a plus three handicap player, had been invited to play in the Seniors Open, part of the Sunshine Legends Tour.

Happy
The compromise had Faber beaming from ear to ear. "I'm happy to have an MG to drive for a year," he said.

About his hole-in-one, FJ - who has played for the Southern Cape Amateur team for 15 years and has been a scratch golfer for 32 years - said: "It's all just luck".

He said he has played nine holes-in-one during his golfing career, which started when he was 20. "This is my fourth hole-in-one this year!"

Tyler Chislett, golf club manager, said the compromise by Super Group was a fantastic thing to do and a generous gesture.

"The 13th hole was sponsored by Super Group with a brand-new MG car on offer for the first professional to get a hole-in- one. James, an amateur, wasn't eligible for the car prize, however, at prize-giving it was announced that Super Group has generously sponsored James Faber to drive an MG vehicle for a year!

This fantastic opportunity is a testament to James' exceptional golfing skills. Well done to Brett Liddle and James Faber!" said Chislett.

James Faber: The pride of lifting the ball from the cup after his hole-in-one.