The next few weeks will shape the rest of Jaco Ahler’s year and he’s ready to make home advantage count starting on a course where he’s triumphed before, writes WADE PRETORIUS at Royal Cape.
The nine-time Sunshine Tour winner has been there and done that. He’s played on some of the biggest stages and cuts an imposing figure going around the fine-tuning of his pre-Cape Town Open prep work.
Oh, and he’s ready to do it all again. The 2014 champion is eyeing a trio of rewards: a solid start to his Challenge Tour series, the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and gaining his Asian Tour card.
After a relatively quiet week in Limpopo winner JC Ritchie moved top of the money list with Ahlers now second, albeit just R70,000 behind. The advantage in the race now swings to the man ‘chasing’ … he is a previous winner of this event and cannot hide his satisfaction at the prospect of trying to replicate his heroics at a course that he adores.
‘I love this place. Not just because I’ve won here. We come down here and the course is in fantastic shape,’ he says.
‘It feels like home really. I stay with my sister for the week, so that’s always nice. My support base here is solid and I’ve always received good support whenever the tour comes to the Cape. I just love coming here.
‘It does give me a boost for sure. An edge? Maybe. I can see shots on this course. The greens are good again this week which makes for a good combination. I feel like if I repeat what I’ve been doing lately then I’ll have a chance at lifting the trophy again.
‘For the South African guys, it’s a carrot for us. This three-week stretch is so important for the local guys. If you get a good start with the Challenge Tour schedule, it kind of sets you up. You know, next week is one of that tour’s biggest events. Playing well now, means you’re putting yourself in line to not only make more money but to get into more events and there’s five more European Tour cards on offer.
‘We’re playing at home, know the courses, so it’s crucial to perform.’
Next week, both tours head to Fancourt. Another venue with fond memories for Ahlers. It’s shaping up nicely especially with so many different routes back to the top on offer. He plans on shelving expectations and plans for the next phase of his career as his attention remains with his work on the course. Or, as it is over this series of events, courses.
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‘At the end of the day, you have to play it shot for shot. You cannot get carried away with the end of the season breakdown and all the ramifications. You try to put everything out of your head and play the game.
‘This is big for the Sunshine Tour’s Order of Merit as well. I’m missing the Tour Championship because I’m off to Asian Tour Q-School. So for me, I’ve gotta do the business over the next two weeks to try put some pressure on JC [Ritchie] and Daniel [van Tonder]. They will both play the Tour Championships, so it’s up to me now to try build a cushion.
‘When you get out on the golf course, you have to put all your thoughts into what you’re doing out there. Do that right and you’ll play well.
‘In my mind, it’s impossible to separate all these incentives. Each of the prizes offer different options to play in top events around the world. I’m taking all them as one and that’s the nice thing about the next few weeks. Play well and they’ll be taken care of. I’ve gotta get the clubs to do the talking and play well around courses I know very well.’
Ahlers did so at the SA Open and booked a ticket to The Open in the process.
Thursday the process will start all over again. With his passion for the big occasion and a course that suits his eye, who knows just how many tickets will be booked come Sunday evening.
