A closing two-over-par 74 at his home course not only earned Greg Woodbridge a third South African Senior Amateur Championship title but also the honour of being the first to lift the prestigious trophy in three successive years.

When Woodbridge won his first title in 2022, he produced a brilliant final round to come from behind and win by four strokes at East London Golf Club. Last year, he overhauled the leader again on the last day to triumph by two strokes at Sishen Golf Club and joined the exclusive club of back-to-back winners, Manie Grobler (1999 and 2000) and Morgan Phillips (2018 and 2019).

The incomparable Jock Wellington was the only player to have won the title three times – in 2001, 2006 and 2008 – and, with the senior showpiece heading to his home course this year, Woodbridge hoped his local course knowledge of Atlantic Beach Links would help him land the elusive three-peat. Knowing the layout was certainly a plus, but in the end, the win came down to his incredible skills in the windy conditions on the final day.

“Look, I was very happy with just one title, but to win this championship three times in a row is incredible; of course, I had hoped I’d get it done, but standing here with the trophy is a dream come true,” Woodbridge said after pulling off a narrow one-stroke victory over runner-up Cameron Johnston.

“Senior golf is hugely competitive, and we had many talented players in the field this year. It really was wide open, and to have pulled it off is beyond my wildest expectations.”

After Woodbridge shot successive rounds of one-under-par 71 in relatively benign conditions in the first two rounds, the strong north-easterly wind that showed up on the final day played into Woodbridge’s hands.

He lost the advantage of two birdies to a trio of bogeys over the first 10 holes, but as the wind picked up after the turn, a disciplined homeward stretch earned the 56-year-old the top step of the podium.

Woodbridge picked up shots on the 11th and 12th, and, crucially, holed a birdie putt on the 17th which took him clear of Johnston before the nail-biting final hole.

Johnston, who plays out of nearby Milnerton Golf Club, was able to match Woodbridge’s birdies on 11 and 12, but was unable to pick up another coming home. He closed with a level-par 72 after opening rounds of 72 and 73. Giles Buchanan was third, six shots behind Woodbridge’s winning total on five over, and Douglas McCabe was a further two strokes back in fourth.

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Atlantic Beach Links golf director Tony Louw and Sean Quigley shared fifth on nine over, with Louw’s closing two-over-par 74 earning him the Super Senior title for players 60 and over.

“I wasn’t nervous. I just stayed in my bubble, and I played the shots,” said Woodbridge. “Someone summed it up well when they suggested they should film Survivor South Africa at Atlantic Beach when the wind is blowing. It got progressively harder, but I was pretty steady the whole week. I didn’t feel as if I played particularly well, but I just kept plugging away and it unravelled nicely for me.”

Local knowledge was part of the key to Woodbridge’s success, but his birdies every day on the par-five 10th, compared with the par and two bogeys from Johnston, ended up being the differentiating factor. That, and his secret weapon.

“My wife Candice deserves a lot of credit for this hat-trick,” said Woodbridge. “A few years ago we decided that she would caddie for me, and she’s been on my bag for the past four years. She’s absolutely amazing. I talk to her and she keeps me calm, and she knows my game so well. She helps me with the shots and the lines. It’s wonderful to have her with me and it keeps me focused on my golf.”

When all is said and done, whether it was the local knowledge, the skills in the wind or Candice on the bag, there can be no arguing with a third title in three successive years.

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IMAGES: ROGER SEDERES/GOLFRSA