The Tour Championship at Serengeti Estates finalised the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy and the Fortress Rookie of the Year.

Ryan van Velzen finished first in a breakthrough season where he won twice. His triumph saw him secure a DP World Tour card, a place at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, and Major exemptions into The Open Championship and The PGA Championship.

“I just played so consistently and had some good finishes at big events. I’m really excited for my DP World Tour season to start later this year and to play at my first Major. I’m also very excited about playing at the Nedbank Golf Challenge which I’ve been watching since I was a kid and now I can compete alongside the players I watched on TV,” said Van Velzen, who also earned a R500 000 bonus for his first-place finish on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.

“We’re delighted to see how the season turned out and we’ll continue to support in the next season too. We’re very pleased with the incentives we could make for the golfers, financially and career-wise,” said Craig Pitchers, chief executive officer of The Courier Guy.

Robin Williams finished second on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy and arned himself a DP World Tour card as well as a R200 000 bonus. He was also crowned the Fortress Rookie of the Year, earning a R200 000 bonus.

“It’s amazing. It was one of my goals at the start of the year. It opens a lot of doors for me and I’m looking forward to that,” said Williams.

“We’re thrilled to be a small part of Robin’s remarkable story and we look forward to his continued success on and off the course in the future. He won the Fortress Invitational this season and it’s exciting to follow him and the other up-and-coming stars on the Sunshine Tour,” said Ryan Eichstadt, Fortress head of investor relations.

Louis Albertse finished the season in third place on the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy thereby claiming the last DP World Tour card on offer and a R100 000 bonus.

TYRONE WILLIAMS/SUNSHINE TOUR

It was a special day for Cara Gorlei at Glendower Golf Club as she claimed her maiden pro win by one stroke at the Jabra Ladies Classic.

In the four years since turning pro, Gorlei has racked up 11 top-10 finishes, earned more than R600 000 in prize money and qualified for the Ladies European Tour, before sealing the deal and getting her hands on the Sunshine Ladies Tour’s Jabra Ladies Classic trophy.

Gorlei was lying second, two shots behind at the start of the final round, and she kept herself in the conversation throughout.

A bogey at the par-three 6th meant the 28-year-old Gorlei was level par for her round. But she followed that up with birdies on the 7th and 8th holes. Others faltered as Gorlei reached the turn, with the pressure of the situation bringing out the best in the Capetonian as she was inspired on the back nine. Three birdies in four holes from the 11th put her in front and she reached the last hole with a two-shot lead, making her bogey on the 18th all the more palatable.

She still posted her third successive 68 to finish on 12 under par, one ahead of Lisa Pettersson, who shot an outstanding 67 to finish on 11 under.

“I was trying not to think about the lead, until the 11th, when I started to get a bit nervous. My first win started to play on my mind a bit and then on 13 I saw on a leaderboard that Lisa Pettersson was right up there with me,” said Gorlei.

“But it just made me focus harder. I knew I was playing well enough and I just stuck to my routines. Obviously it’s awesome to get the win done and I am really happy I stayed level-headed.

“I’ve been in two playoffs and lost them both, so it was nice to get the monkey off my back without having to go to another playoff. I have my first pro win and now I can start going,” Gorlei beamed.
– Michael Vlismas

TROY WINFIELD/SUNSHINE TOUR

Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard showcased remarkable skill and composure to defend their titles at the First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate in Harare in April.

The GolfRSA National Squad duo broke through on the international stage in their debut appearances at the 2023 event hosted by the Zimbabwe Junior Golf Association, with Valentine edging countryman Ethan Fichardt and Millard winning by seven strokes from fellow GolfRSA National Squad member Phenyo Sebata.

This year Valentine came under pressure again from fellow squad member Johndre Ludick, but the Eastern Province teenager held his nerve to clinch a two-stroke victory on seven-under 209.

He started the final round three shots clear of fellow South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) player Mitch Phigeland, with Ludick a further shot adrift. After a birdie-birdie start, Valentine made amends for a bogey at the 3rd with a birdie on the par-four 4th, but he dropped a further three shots in his first three holes after turning on two under. He stemmed the bleeding with a birdie on the short 13th and, after bogeys on the 15th and 17th, he finished in style with a birdie to secure the win with a final-round 73.

Ludick closed with a round of 71 to finish second, while South Africa’s Jayden Hoskins – another star of the SAGDB – tied for third on four under.

"I wouldn't say it was any easier to win this year, but I'm really proud I got the job done," said Valentine. "I'm very grateful to GolfRSA for the opportunity and proud that I could step up and validate the trust they put in me."

Meanwhile, Millard also made a slow start and began the final round three strokes behind pacesetter Sebata on one under.

The Central Gauteng player charged into the lead with a trio of birdies on the outward nine, but she opened the door for compatriot Olivia Wood with three bogeys coming home. Millard set the clubhouse target on two-over 218 with a 72, but KwaZulu-Natal’s Wood birdied the closing hole for 73 to force a playoff.

Millard saved her best for the second trip down the 18th and boxed a birdie putt to close the door on Wood.

"I made it a lot tougher on myself this year," said the delighted Millard. "It's an honour to be the champion in successive years, and to do South Africa proud on the world stage."

RASSELL KAMANGA/NRTV ZIMBABWE

Dylan O’Leary breathed a sigh of relief after his one-stroke victory over Ricky Hendler at the Sunshine Tour-sanctioned Altron Big Easy Tour Play-Off at Irene Country Club.

The 33-year-old Royal Johannesburg player started the final round of this penultimate event of the season with a one-stroke lead, and knew that only a strong performance would get him over the line. Lying 29th on the Order of Merit before this 54-hole event, and with 12 Sunshine Tour cards up for grabs come the end of the season, O’Leary had needed to show up, and he did.

He signed for four-under-par 68 for a 13-under-par 203 total and his Altron Big Easy win.

“This is huge for me, man,” exclaimed a visibly emotional O’Leary. “I’ve had three wins on the Bushveld Tour but this is the big one for me. It’s been such a long season and I’ve had my fair share of personal issues to deal with. So, to win now and in the manner I did is super special... It feels like all the work is paying off.”

Starting from the 10th, O’Leary opened with back-to-back birdies and parred the next three holes. He then birdied the 15th – his sixth – before closing that stretch with another birdie for a blemish-free 32. Coming home, and after making pars on 10 and 11, he bogeyed the 12th and 13th. He then steadied himself once more and made three straight pars before closing with two birdies on 17 and 18.

“I got to the last two holes and I just got this renewed energy because Ricky was playing solidly. That guy can play; he just refuses to give up, and when you have a playing partner like that, it rubs off you and I just had to keep going.

“Winning on this Tour is so tough and competing against guys like Ricky, you need to step up. But, I am glad I managed to get it done, especially at this time in the season.”

DEON VAN DER MERWE/SUNSHINE TOUR

Charl Barnard made amends for a heart-breaking loss at last year’s Nomads SA Boys Under-19 Match Play Championship final to capture the title at Benoni Country Club.

A year after going down to Pearce Lewin in the final at Pecanwood, the 18-year-old from Centurion Country Club defeated Woodhill’s Fabrizio de Abreu 3 & 2 in the 36-hole final to record his biggest win.

“I left Pecanwood last year with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, so to be able to win it this year is an amazing feeling and I’m really proud of myself,” said an elated Barnard.

Despite a nervy start, where he lost the first two holes, Barnard raced to a 5 up lead through 17 holes. De Abreu fought back to bring the deficit back to just one through 24 holes, but Barnard responded with birdies on the 25th and 28th before a hat-trick of birdies from the 30th hole put him within touching distance of the win. When De Abreu bogeyed the 34th hole, the title was finally his.

“Fabi played some great golf, but after getting so close last year, I was determined to get the win. It’s a great feeling to get the job done, especially after GolfRSA and the South African Golf Association gave me junior national colours to represent South Africa at the All Africa Junior Teams Championship.”

For De Abreu it meant a second runner-up result for the week. The GolfRSA National Squad member finished second at the tournament’s 72-hole strokeplay qualifier where fellow Gauteng North golfer Vian Jansen van Vuuren stole the show with an extraordinary final-round march to victory.

The Centurion junior was joint second after rounds of 70, 68 and 72 and two shots behind De Abreu heading into the final round, but he found a fifth gear with an eagle and six birdies in a bogey-free round of eight-under-par 64 to win by two shots on 14-under-par 274.

“This was probably the best golf I played ever,” said Jansen van Vuuren. “The Nomads SA Boys U-19 Stroke Play and Match Championships are the most prestigious events on our junior calendar, and I am stoked to claim my first national victory at this event.”

GOLFRSA

The City of Cape Town’s Council has given approval for its Events Department to enter into a new agreement to sponsor the Investec SA Women’s Open for the next three years.

The new agreement with the Women’s Professional Golf Association (WPGA) will come into effect before the 2024 Investec SA Women’s Open at Erinvale Golf Estate from 25-28 April. It will be the seventh straight year that Cape Town will be hosting the country’s oldest and most prestigious professional women’s golf tournament.

“The event’s move to Cape Town in 2018 birthed a successful partnership between the City of Cape Town, the WPGA and the Sunshine Ladies Tour. Year-on-year, we have seen an increase not only in the level of competition, but also in the number of people who travel to Cape Town for this tournament.

“It has been an honour for Cape Town to host the Investec SA Women’s Open over the past seven years and we are looking forward to our renewed partnership,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Some of the Investec South African Women’s Open highlights over the past seven years include:

• Largest prize money (over R6-million) for any professional women’s golf tournament in South Africa.
• Increased international entries from 93 in 2019 to 112 international entries from 30 different countries in 2023.
• Has hosted over 700 golfers.
• Rejoined (co-sanctioned by) the Ladies European Tour in 2018.
• Hosted annual golf clinic, conducted by professional players, for local golfers affiliated to the Sally Little Kids Golf Clinic.

The 2024 Investec Women’s Open will once again draw the curtain on the eight-tournament Sunshine Ladies Tour season.

SUNSHINE TOUR

Ekurhuleni’s Lisa Coetzer and Alieka van Zyl from Mpumalanga scooped the honours at the 2024 Nomads SA Girls Rose Bowl presented by Sun International with outstanding performances in March.

Championship Division
Lisa Coetzer had been trending towards her a first national breakthrough in the month leading up to her wire-to-wire triumph in the Championship Division at Lost City Golf Course.

In February, the 14-year-old held her own against South Africa’s leading amateurs to finish fifth at the SA Women’s Stroke Play and the GolfRSA International Amateur Championships, followed by a runner-up finish at the North West Women’s Open Championship.

She arrived at Sun City fresh from a 30-shot victory at the Ebotse Links Club Championship, and immediately recorded a pacesetting two-under 70 in the morning and 69 in the afternoon on day one to pull five shots clear.

On the final day, the GolfRSA National Squad member produced another 69 to waltz to a seven-shot victory on eight-under 208.

Coetzer not only finished the tournament as the only player to break par in all the rounds, but she also only surrendered seven shots in 54 holes.

“It’s down to course management and hard work paying off,” said the delighted champion. “I drove the ball well throughout and I kept it in play, which is key to scoring well at Lost City. I gave myself chances with good iron shots and wedges into the greens and the putter did the rest.”

Coetzer also lauded the significant role the Nomads Golf Club of South Africa plays in developing and growing the game in South Africa.

“Nomads does so much for junior golf and they give us the opportunity to compete at this level; I’m really proud to be the champion of this prestigious tournament. To win at this venue and against such a strong field is incredible,” she said.

Silver Division
Mbombela’s Alieka van Zyl celebrated a dream debut in the Silver Division with a six-shot victory over Kaitlyn Rix from Western Province.

The 16-year-old took the lead on day one with rounds of 83 and 82 and, keeping a cool head under pressure on the final day, she closed out victory with a three-over-par 75.

“I just love this course,” said Van Zyl. “It’s quite long, but it suits my game. My only expectation was to play my best golf. I made a strong start and then it all came together in the last round. I stuck to my gameplan and played to my strengths and it feels really good to get this one in the bag.”

GOLFRSA

Ruimsig junior Schalk van Ettinger staved off challenges from Irene’s Juan Coetzee and St Francis Links’ Shaun Viljoen to lift his first national GolfRSA junior title with a one-stroke victory at the 2024 Nomads Gowrie Farm U-15 Challenge.

Starting the final round three clear of the chasing pack, the Central Gauteng junior looked the man to beat, but coming down the stretch he was neck-and-neck with Coetzee and Viljoen.

“Juan and Shaun piled on the pressure, especially on the back nine,” he said. “I tried to stay in the moment and play hole-by-hole. I was relieved to get it done, especially after I had a plugged ball on the 18th fairway. I was already thinking playoff. Luckily, I was entitled to relief, and I managed to drain that last putt for a par to win by one.”

Van Ettinger signed for a 73 and victory on three-over-par 213. Coetzee had to settle for second after a par on 18 for a 70, while Viljoen spoiled his chance to force a playoff with a bogey, double-bogey finish, signing for 73 and third place on six over.

The 2024 champion was full of praise for the revamped course. “The tournament was a lot tougher this year because we played the full championship course, and not just the combination of the 12 holes as in the past,” he said.

“Besides the new holes, some of the old ones have changed, but Gowrie Farm is a proper test now. You had to have a good game plan and you must execute it well, or the course will punish you. I’m proud to tick this one off my bucket list before I move to Under-17 level.”

GOLFRSA

IFA Hotels & Resorts has concluded a deal with SA golfing legend Ernie Els to bring a number of his international brands to the renowned Zimbali Lakes development on the KZN North Coast.

The four-time Major champion became involved with the design to create an Ernie Els Signature golf course, and it was further agreed to extend this relationship to include some of his other well-known brands such as The Big Easy Bar & Grill which will serve fine wines from Ernie’s personal cellar.

“We are excited to partner with Zimbali Lakes and IFA Hotels & Resorts as we share likeminded ambitions and enjoy creating attractive destinations that adhere to the principles of sustainable development and sound environmental practice,” said Els.

“My congratulations go to the whole team on the ground at Zimbali Lakes who are working so hard to make this outstanding new development such a special place. It is located in one of the finest regions, with tropical weather all year round and panoramic views of lakes, dams, rolling green hills and the warm Indian Ocean. My professional career of 76 international PGA victories is mirrored in the increasingly global reach of our designs, and Zimbali Lakes is no exception.”

The Els Performance Golf Academy (EPGA) will also tie in with the Zimbali Lakes Sports Centre and will include high-end student accommodation. The EPGA Academy apartments, aptly called the “Ernie Els Suites” will be another first for the African continent, with the purpose-built development comprising 60 two-bedroom units accommodating over 200 students aimed at trainees/students attending the academy.

“We are so proud that Ernie has identified Zimbali Lakes as one of the most progressive estates being developed in South Africa. He is also laying down roots and will be building a home within the Tatali precinct of the estate,” concluded Werner Burger, CEO of IFA HR.

supplied

Huge congratulations to the 32 amateurs who made the National Final of the 2024 GolfRSA Race to the R&A 9 Hole Challenge!

The Regional Final Lucky Draw took place on 10 April at Metropolitan Golf Club and in addition to the 32 finalists, The Courier Guy South Africa will be delivering fabulous prizes sponsored by Cleveland Golf South Africa, Coleman Camping Gear and Equipment and Anthonij Rupert Wyne Estate to 47 lucky winners across the country.

The two winners of the National Final at Mooinooi Golf Club from 12-14 May will not only travel to Scotland to tee it up at the R&A 9 Hole Challenge alongside golfers from the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, France and New Zealand at Royal Troon Golf Club, but will also have the rare opportunity to attend the 152nd Open Championship at the same venue in July.

“We look forward to seeing the 32 finalists battle it out for the ultimate prize,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn.

“Last year our two finalists were determined in a lucky draw, but this year we stepped up the GolfRSA Race to the R&A 9 Hole Challenge to make it more inclusive and launched a nationwide campaign, starting with club-level competitions.”

Clubs were encouraged to determine their own format and quantity of their nine-hole competitions, with the winners qualifying for the Regional Final Lucky Draw.

“The response was amazing. More than 150 golf clubs participated, we received 239 winners’ names from 14 unions for the draw to determine the 32 finalists,” said GolfRSA project manager Paul Adams.

CLICK HERE to see who will be heading to the National Final of the 2024 GolfRSA Race to the R&A 9 Hole Challenge at Mooinooi Golf Club from 12-14 May.

CLICK HERE to see the lucky winners, whose prizes from Cleveland Golf South Africa, Coleman Camping Gear and Equipment and Anthonij Rupert Wyne Estate will be delivered by the Courier Guy South Africa.

R&A/GETTY IMAGES