Thabang Simon couldn’t hide his joy after his hard-fought victory at the Altron Vusi Ngubeni Tournament which guaranteed him and 12 others playing privileges in the upcoming season of the Sunshine Tour.

The Soweto Country Club player had it all to do on the final day, but his round of 69 took his tournament total to 17 under and handed him a one-stroke win over Thanda Mavundla.

“It was very tough,” said Simon. “The guys wanted to win it too but I stayed focused. I am so happy to finally get it done.

“This is a very important week for most of us here and it was always going to be tough. But, I always play the golf course rather than a man. It was important to keep fighting and playing good shots.”

At 49, Simon said he still has enough in him to compete at the highest level but knows he will have to start thinking about the senior circuit at some point.

“This win means a lot to me because I’m close to being a senior; I’m one minute close,” he said with a loud laugh. “Now, here comes the Vusi Ngubeni title, just before these youngsters start thinking I’m done.

“My goal is to keep my Sunshine Tour card this season and see if I can’t compete for a couple of years, but after that, I will definitely think about going into the seniors.

“What impressed me the most was the strength of this year’s Vusi field. It’s really good competition and I’m looking forward to the Sunshine Tour.”

TYRONE WINFIELD/SUNSHINE TOUR

Michael Hollick shot an impressive final-round 67 to win the FBC Zim Open by two strokes at Royal Harare Golf Club, claiming his second Sunshine Tour title.

The Mount Edgecombe Country Club golfer, who started the final round with a one-stroke lead, and Darren Fichardt, the 48-year-old with 18 Sunshine Tour and five DP World Tour titles, treated the large crowd to a tense battle.

Hollick showed incredible composure and control, though, and never allowed the experienced Fichardt to get ahead. Hollick had opened up a three-shot lead by the 4th hole, but, unsurprisingly, Fichardt staged a fierce late charge that saw him close the gap to just one stroke on the 16th green.

Fichardt, who birdied the par-five 16th, would have drawn level but for Hollick sinking a clutch 30-foot par putt. He then birdied the 17th to go two ahead and almost certainly quell Fichardt’s challenge.

“Thanks to Darren for a helluva battle. Well played, we certainly had a good go at each other out there,” said Hollick.

The Durban resident showed his maturity on the front nine as he started patiently with three pars before embarking on a hat-trick of birdies from the 4th to the 6th holes. He gained another shot on Fichardt with his birdie on the par-four 10th and, apart from the par save on 16, he also showed his BMT with a superb approach to four feet to set up his crucial birdie on the penultimate hole.

Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent also shot a 68 on Sunday to climb into third place on the final leaderboard on 14 under par, six behind Hollick. His younger brother, Kieran, shot a 71 to finish in a tie for fourth with Sweden’s Fredrik From (67) on 12 under.

TYRONE WINFIELD/SUNSHINE TOUR

Just six weeks after regaining his amateur status, Andrew Curlewis pulled off a victory at the South African Mid-Amateur Championship at Silver Lakes Golf Estate.

Curlewis, who plays out of Silver Lakes and is a three-time winner on the Sunshine Tour, had to pull off a come-from-behind effort in the final round after he teed off nine strokes behind the 36-hole leader, Waterkloof Golf Club’s Corrie Steenkamp.

After rounds of level-par 72 and one-under-par 71, Curlewis proved his pedigree from his 20-year professional career with a stunning bogey-free effort of six-under-par 66, which included an eagle and four birdies.

“It feels amazing,” said the champion. “I managed to get a last-minute entry into this event at my home club, then I managed to play nicely enough to pull off a win.”

His seven-under-par total for the 54 holes was one clear of Centurion Country Club’s Ruan Roets, who closed with a three-under-par 69 to take the runner-up spot.

Curlewis, who last visited the winner’s circle when he picked up two titles on the Sunshine Tour in 2013, made his intentions clear in the final round with an early birdie on the 2nd, and when he eagled the par-five 7th, the chase was on. Three birdies without a drop on the homeward nine – the 10th, 12th and 15th – saw him home and dry.

“I felt it was the right move for me to return to the amateur circuit, and I have to say, I was very surprised at how competitive the mid-amateur circuit is. It was also great to see a lot of former pros back in the amateur ranks. I really enjoyed the experience and the vibe was fantastic. Right move, right time.”

GOLFRSA

International team captain Mike Weir has announced Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy and Camilo Villegas as captain’s assistants for the 2024 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Canada, from 24-29 September.

“I am excited to announce Ernie, Trevor, Geoff and Camilo as my captain’s assistants,” said Weir. “The four of them each have their own special history with this event and today’s announcement is a mere formality, as we have been working closely together through the years to ensure the International team continues its momentum from 2019 and 2022.”

Els has appeared at eight Presidents Cups (1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013) and holds the record for most matches won by an International team player (20). The South African served as a captain’s assistant to Nick Price in 2017 before being named International team captain in 2019.

“Mike has been a longtime friend, is a true icon of sport in his home country, and it’s an honour to participate as his captain’s assistant as he leads the International team into Montreal,” said Els. “I am eager to get to work and ensure our players are prepared to compete in Canada.”

As the 2022 Presidents Cup International team captain, Immelman played a pivotal role in the continued development of the International team. The 44-year-old, who competed for the International team in 2005 and 2007, returns for his second stint as a captain’s assistant after serving under fellow countryman Els in 2019.

“Being a part of this team means a great deal to me and is something I have put my heart and soul into over the years,” said Immelman. “I could not be more excited to support Mike as he leads a team of guys into Montreal.”

SUPPLIED/INSTAGRAM/SIMON BRUTY/ROLEX

Ryder Cup Europe was named Team of the Year at the prestigious Fevo Sport Industry Awards, that took place in Battersea, London, in late April.

Regarded as the pre-eminent awards ceremony for the sports industry in the United Kingdom, Team Europe fought off stiff competition to claim the honour. Their fellow nominees were a treble-winning Manchester City FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, the England women’s cricket team, the England women’s Red Roses rugby team and the 11th Hour Racing Team.

Team Europe were underdogs heading into Rome 2023, but under the stewardship of their captain, Luke Donald, several innovations helped turn the tide and led to a memorable 16.5-11.5 victory at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

The award not only acknowledged the 12 players inside the ropes, but also the over 200 full-time staff at Ryder Cup Europe – part of the European Tour Group – who worked tirelessly to deliver an event that broke all previous fan engagement and commercial records, with 271 000 spectators descending on Rome during Ryder Cup week.

Speaking about the accolade, Guy Kinnings, chief executive officer of the European Tour Group and the executive director of the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, said: “This award acknowledges the gladiators we had inside the ropes who produced remarkable golf to win back the Ryder Cup trophy. But crucially, it also acknowledges the word-class team we have outside the ropes supporting them. They built from scratch a well-rounded entertainment spectacular that has set a new benchmark for what golf’s greatest team contest can be.”

Left to right: Laura Woods, Richard Atkinson (Ryder Cup director), Katie Clayman (head of Ryder Cup team services), David Garland (director of tour operations), Guy Kinnings (Group CEO) and Mark Durden-Smith

GETTY IMAGES/RYDER CUP/SPORT INDUSTRY GROUP

Vian Jansen van Vuuren was crowned champion of the fourth edition of the Nedbank Junior Challenge at Gary Player Country Club in April.

The Centurion Country Club teen held his nerve in a tense playoff, the first in the tournament's history, on the iconic par-five 9th hole as he edged Fabrizio De Abreu into second place.

“I’m absolutely stoked with the win,” said the 2024 champion. “This title sits nicely alongside the Nomads SA Boys U19 Stroke Play title I won at Benoni Country Club in March. To go back-to-back at GolfRSA national junior events is tough to do. And to do it on the toughest course I’ve played makes it even better.”

Jansen van Vuuren, who opened with a 74, began the day with a one-shot lead after a solid showing in round two where he racked up an impressive eight birdies en route to a 68.

Both players had the chance to win the event in regulation. Having birdied the 9th and 10th to edge clear, a string of pars on the back nine kept Jansen Van Vuuren ahead of the chasing pack, but he dropped back to the field with a double and a bogey over the last two holes to close with a 74.

For De Abreu, one of the pre-tournament favourites, it was a case of what might've been after a good birdie on 14 was backed up with a birdie on the penultimate hole in the closing round. A dropped shot at the last saw him sign for a 73 (75 68 73) and the 2024 Nedbank Junior Challenge went to extra holes.

Jansen van Vuuren managed to save par despite hitting his approach long and needing a penalty drop as the action intensified. The par was enough as De Abreu eventually three-putted to fall from contention.

Speaking about the tense playoff and keeping his emotions in check after finding the water, Jansen van Vuuren said: "I tried to be calm and just find the green with the next shot and see if I could make the putt. I'm very stoked. Back-to-back wins on this circuit is a great achievement. Right now, bit speechless but very happy with how it all turned out."

GOLFRSA

South Africa's rich legacy at the All Africa Junior Teams Championships continued when the boys and girls defended their titles, but golf was the biggest champion at the junior African flagship event at Benoni Country Club.

The 17th edition was a groundbreaking one for the African continent with a record entry of 16 nations participating in the battle for gold, with 15 boys’ teams and 11 girls’ sides taking part.

The South African boys’ team cruised to the title – their 17th in a row – thanks to a consolidated effort across the four days. They finished as the runaway leaders on 22 under par and, as the only nation to finish under par, showed just how good the talent is in the country is. It was an impressive display from Charl Barnard, Pearce Lewin, Dylan Kayne and Janko van der Merwe, which was capped off with a team score of seven under par in the closing round.

The SA girls’ side reeled in their eighth title in a row and remain unbeaten since the girls competition was added in 2017. Matching their male counterparts shot for shot, Zané Kleynhans, Gia Raad and Kesha Louw were also the only combination to end the campaign in red figures after ending on six under par.

In the individual competitions, Barnard claimed top spot thanks to an impressive score of eight under par across the four rounds. Lewin (five under) and Kayne (four under) were next in line, while Janko van der Merwe (two over) ended in solo fifth.

Kleynhans took the girls’ crown after posting a brilliant total of four under for her week's effort. Raad finished second on level par, while Louw was in fourth on 15 over, having produced a good round of 75 on the last day.

“We are incredibly proud of our teams, and their individual performances,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn. “There was a lot of pressure on them with GolfRSA hosting the event, but they punched well above their weight.”

GOLFRSA

The Mopani Leopards were crowned the first champions of the GolfSixes League South Africa Limpopo Series, generously supported by The Emole Group, at Polokwane Golf Club.

This exciting tournament, spanning three events, showcased the vibrant spirit of golf in Limpopo, with six teams competing for glory over a series of exhilarating matches, which epitomised the essence of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

The GolfSixes League, which is played over a six-hole layout, adopts the Texas Scramble format and features relaxed rules aimed at welcoming novice players to golf within a sociable and supportive setting.

“We had six teams contesting the first three-series GolfSixes League South Africa Series in Limpopo: the Toshiba Tigers, Mopani Leopards, Ga-Moeti Mambas, Zebediela Eagles, Polokwane Sharks and the Baylis Academy Bumblebees,” said event organiser Lara Weinstein, GolfRSA manager: WHS & Related Projects.

“The kids loved the team aspect of the competition and had a great time on the course with their playing partners.”

As participants teed off to their theme songs and dances, it was evident this event was not just about competition, but also about fostering a love for the game among youngsters. The success of the GolfSixes League South Africa Limpopo Series wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of its sponsors and partners.

“Our sincere thanks goes out to The R&A, The Department of Sport Arts & Culture, the Emole Group, Limpopo Golf Union, the South African Golf Development Board, Sterling Productions, Toshiba Limpopo, Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane, Polokwane Golf Club, Sterling Pro Shop, Sharks Golf Invitational, Gozone Water, Lebato Hygiene and Cleaning Services, Galito’s and Callaway Golf. Your incredible collaboration ensured that no stone was left unturned to make the first series a roaring success,” added Weinstein.

The GolfSixes League South Africa Limpopo Series exemplifies a commitment to introducing the youth to the joys of golf in a fun and inclusive manner. For more information on future events and initiatives by the GolfSixes League South Africa, please contact Michael Johnston at michaeljohnston@golfrsa.co.za.

MARTIN BREEDT/GOLFRSA