Month: February 2023

BELA-BELA (Limpopo) – It’s a week on the Sunshine Tour when the drive to the golf course takes you past a herd of wildebeest and antelope. A week when professional Kyle Barker rides a mountain bike on the dirt roads to the Zebula Country Club clubhouse. A week when some afternoon fishing or game viewing is always a possibility. And a week when the winner of the SDC Open will most likely be handed his trophy in a presentation featuring the local elephants.

The second edition of this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour event tees off in the Limpopo bushveld on Thursday, and in an environment that seems to suit a number of the South African professionals.

Pieter Moolman had a strong run in Limpopo last year when he finished 12^th in the SDC Open and then seventh in the Limpopo Championship at the nearby Euphoria Golf Club. After that he won his maiden Sunshine Tour title in the Fortress Invitational last year.

The SDC Open is the third of four tournaments co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour and Challenge Tour, and Moolman has made a strong push on this swing. He returns to Limpopo having moved into the top 10 on the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca rankings thanks to finishes of 14^th in the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open and ninth in the Dimension Data Pro-Am over the past two weeks. 

“I approach every tournament with the same mindset, but I seem to enjoy this kind of layout. I think it’s because you have to hit it in the right spot and that helps me focus,” said Moolman.

“I prefer this course when it’s a bit dry, and that will be different this year with all the rain they’ve had. It means you’ll have to hit the fairways because you don’t know what you’ll be getting into in the rough. But I’ve played well the last few weeks and am managing my bad shots better. The game is more about misses than good shots, and if you miss it in the right spot you have a much better chance of making par. It’s about managing your game when you’re not playing well, and I feel like I’ve been doing that well.”

Brandon Stone is also well-placed in fifth on the Challenge Tour rankings following top-seven finishes in the last two tournaments. He is coming back to a Limpopo province where he’s won before in his professional career.

Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith, winner of the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open, and South African’s Martin Vorster, who finished fourth in Cape Town, fill out a strong Sunshine Tour representation in first and eighth on the Challenge Tour rankings respectively going into this week’s tournament. And Ruan Conradie, who has struggled of late, will draw on his runner-up finish in this event last year. – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE (Western Cape) – Oliver Bekker claimed his second Dimension Data Pro-Am title in a dominant display at Fancourt on Sunday as he won by four shots in front of his home crowd.

Bekker took a five-shot lead into the final round and closed with a measured 68 on the Montagu course to win on 22 under par overall. Sweden’s Adam Blomme took second place on 18 under par with a final round of 66.

Bekker first won this title in 2012 and is now only the third player since the tournament’s inception in 1996 to win the Dimension Data Pro-Am twice, joining Nick Price (1997 and 1998) and Darren Fichardt (2004 and 2010).

“When you start with such a big lead it’s almost a relief that you didn’t waste it. It’s amazing to be here in front of my family and friends. It’s not often you play a golf tournament and you’ve got a hundred people following you and you know almost all of them. I’m just elated,” said Bekker.

On another magnificent day on the Garden Route, Bekker parred his way through the first seven holes before his first birdie of the final round on the par-three eighth hole. He added four more birdies on the back nine, and could afford a single bogey, to put himself well and truly beyond reach.

Hennie O’Kennedy came storming through the field with a bogey-free round of 65 to finish on 16 under par, and Frenchman Ugo Coussaud tried to make a contest of it with a sublime 63 to finish on 14 under. But Bekker had done more than enough to keep himself beyond any serious challenge.

“I did watch the scoreboard quite a bit and played rather safe. I didn’t try to be too aggressive and make any unforced errors. The course was there for the taking today, but I didn’t want to disappoint anybody and still go out there and put together a good final round.” – Michael Vlismas

The fifth edition of the Sunshine Tour’s Limpopo Championship hosted by the Limpopo Tourism Agency is expected to be one of the most memorable in the history of this tournament when it is played at the popular Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate from 30 March to 2 April.

A total prize fund of R2 million will once again attract a full field of professionals to an event that has in the past featured Sunshine Tour, European Challenge Tour and DP World Tour campaigners challenging for glory.

The Limpopo Championship boasts a strong list of past champions, including multiple DP World Tour winner Brandon Stone, and JC Ritchie, now a DP World Tour campaigner and the only player to have won this title twice in 2019 and 2020.

The country’s other stars such as Wilco Nienaber, Oliver Bekker, Daniel van Tonder and Hennie du Plessis have also all finished runner-up here over the years.

Such has been the stronghold South African golfers have had on a tournament that remains close to their hearts as it is played in the magnificent Limpopo bushveld that Poland’s Mateusz Gradecki remains the only international winner with his three-stroke triumph here in 2022.

Andrew Dipela, the LTA Chairman, said: “This prestigious tournament is a catalyst for Limpopo’s destination marketing and tourism growth. It anchored the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, creates much-needed local jobs, attracts significant economic investment, and supports community development.”

Tournament organisers are this year preparing for an even greater influx of spectators with a week-long programme that will include a VIP hospitality area, live entertainment and even a pool party, all while showcasing the natural wonders of the Limpopo Province and its unique culture.

Moses Ngobeni, LTA CEO, said: “The Limpopo Tourism Agency is extremely proud of this tournament and its positioning of Limpopo and the Waterberg District as a sought-after golf destination.”

Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, said: “We are delighted to be visiting Limpopo once again for an event that has become an important part of the Sunshine Tour calendar. The Limpopo Tourism Agency has done immense work in growing the game of golf in the Waterberg District, and using this tournament to grow tourism in the whole province. We are proud to support this process.”

GEORGE (Western Cape) – Oliver Bekker has clearly felt comfortable in his hometown this week and is looking very much at home at the top of the leaderboard as he takes a five-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round of the Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt.

A 64 on the Outeniqua course on Saturday lifted Bekker to 18 under par overall and on track to add to his 2012 victory in this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour event.

The South African’s nearest challenger is countryman Luke Jerling on 13 under par following his 71 on the Montagu course.

Bekker, now a DP World Tour campaigner, decided to return to the Sunshine Tour this week to enjoy the privilege of playing a tournament where he can sleep in his own bed and have his family with him.

“You don’t get to do that too often. It’s great to have that family time, and I also have a lot of local support here. It’s a special event for me,” said Bekker.

Bekker took full advantage of another perfect day in George and an Outeniqua golf course that is the most forgiving of the three courses here at Fancourt used for this tournament.

“Outeniqua is a very scoreable golf course and it was nice to do just that. I played well and it was nice to hole a few putts on the back nine. I gave myself a lot of opportunities. All in all it was a very good day. I knew my golf was good and that if I could get a few putts in today I would get a low one.”

Bekker was most pleased with being able to make his move on the weekend after he’d worked his way into a competitive position over the first two rounds.

“I feel like my game has been moving this way. In the last few weeks I’ve been making good starts and then over the weekend I’ve let it slip, so it’s nice to produce a good round on the Saturday and move in the right direction. I’ve always enjoyed playing Fancourt and I always fancy myself to do well in this event.” – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE (Western Cape) – South Africa’s Luke Jerling put in a hard session on the range on the eve of this week’s Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt and it has paid off as he heads into the weekend tied for the lead in this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

Jerling signed for a 68 on The Links on Friday to move to the top of the leaderboard on 12 under par overall. Over on the Montagu golf course, Sweden’s Adam Blomme carded a 67 to also end the day on 12 under. They are two strokes clear of South Africans Oliver Bekker and Adam Breen. Bekker carded a 68 on the Montagu while Breen added a 68 on The Links. The tournament rotates between Fancourt’s three golf courses of The Links, Montagu and Outeniqua.

After missing the cut in last week’s Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open, Jerling did some soul-searching on the range at Fancourt on Wednesday and said something in his game clicked right there.

“I was on the range until late trying to figure out what went wrong the previous week. I had a chat with my coach as well, and I went into Thursday’s first round feeling good and I’m just riding the wave. It’s great to be at the top of the leaderboard,” he said.

Even the two bogeys he made early on the back nine didn’t trouble him as he responded with five birdies on that nine – three of them in his last four holes.

“I hit it well off the tee and my iron play was good. I’ve found something in my putting this week, so with good iron play I’ve been giving myself chances and not putting myself under any pressure. The two bogeys I made on the back nine were just because I took a few gambles off the tee and hit it into fairway bunkers. But I bounced back nicely and recovered with birdies thereafter to keep the momentum going.”

Jerling knows better than anybody that a good day on The Links is not to be taken lightly.

“I’m very pleased. The weather was great but The Links is always still a tough test. The greens were running fast and it’s always a tricky course. I’ve seen the good and the bad of The Links and you can never be disappointed with a 68 on this course.”

Over on the Montagu course, Swede Blomme was equally pleased with his performance considering he hasn’t played too much competitive golf while recovering from injury.

“I’ve been really good off the tee this week and that’s been the difference for me. It’s been nice not to have to chip out all the time and actually have the ball in play. There were also a lot of opportunities if you just went for the middle of the green because the pins were tucked away. But this place is unbelievable. I love the golf courses here. I’m in a good space,” he said. – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE (Western Cape) – Casey Jarvis took full advantage of a picture perfect day at Fancourt and a forgiving Outeniqua golf course, and signed for a 64 to lead the first round of the Dimension Data Pro-Am on Thursday.

Jarvis’s round of eight under par earned him a one-stroke lead over fellow South African Luke Jerling and Sweden’s Adam Blomme in this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament. And he also leads in the team event with his amateur partner and Executive Director of the Sunshine Tour, Selwyn Nathan, on 11 under.

Jerling’s three-putt at the last on the Outeniqua cost him a share of the lead. Blomme shot his round of seven under par on The Links, traditionally the most challenging of the three Fancourt courses used in rotation for this tournament. But on the opening day the Montagu course also proved quite a test with only one score from here – Ruaidhri McGee’s 66 – making it into the top five on the leaderboard.

Jean Hugo, who has finished second here before, and Oliver Bekker are both well-placed on six under par.

Jarvis was delighted with a performance that reinforces the hard work he’s been doing to give himself chances on tour. Towards the end of last year he finished second in the South African PGA Championship, and then made a strong run at the lead in the Joburg Open on his way to finishing ninth.

“Before the end of last year I saw a friend of mine and he helped me with my swing just before the big tournaments, and I started hitting the ball really well. There were a few times when I put myself in some good positions in those events. I just want to keep putting myself there and keep learning. I’m learning more every time I’m out here and gaining experience,” said Jarvis.

Jarvis didn’t hold back on day one as he went out determined to take advantage of the Outeniqua layout.

“I was aggressive from the beginning. I knew I was hitting the ball well and in control of my irons. I didn’t really miss many iron shots today. I played really well right from the start. I hit the ball solid all day. In my practice rounds I worked especially hard on my putting and it paid off today. I rolled in a lot of putts. I’m just really pleased with my performance.

“It’s nice starting the tournament on the Outeniqua course and putting in a good low score that sets me up for the more challenging courses over the next few days.”

Jarvis’s performance had former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana star Jimmy Tau in awe as he was given a front-row seat as one of the VIP amateurs competing alongside the pros this week.

“You just stand there and admire them. I was in awe every time the pros hit their shots. Their work ethic and the way they conduct themselves is so professional. As a social golfer you think you understand what it takes to play at this level until you get out there with them, and you see it takes a lot to be a pro.” – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE (Western Cape) – Record prize money of R7.3 million and increased European Challenge Tour points marks a new era for the Dimension Data Pro-Am when this prestigious co-sanctioned event tees off at Fancourt this week.

The Sunshine Tour field of 156 professionals will play the three courses of Montagu, Outeniqua and The Links for an increased purse of R7.3 million in their 72-hole tournament which tees off on Thursday, with the usual glittering array of former sports stars, celebrities and business leaders as their amateur partners including former Springboks Schalk Burger Jnr, Schalk Brits, Akona Ndungane and Odwa Ndungane, former Bafana Bafana footballer Jimmy Tau, singer Kurt Darren and comedian David Kau.

Dimension Data, in partnership with Standard Bank, have also increased the prize money for their Sunshine Ladies Tour event to R2.5 million, with 40 professionals competing over 54 holes alongside an equally star-studded list of amateurs. “This year we are committed to elevating women’s sport. This is something that we are passionate about addressing in 2023,” said Nompumelelo Mokou, Managing Director Southern Africa at Dimension Data.

As part of a strong South African Swing of four Challenge Tour events in February, the Dimension Data Pro-Am will this year feature increased points on the Road to Mallorca rankings of 2 750 points.

It’s a significant moment for a tournament that has a long history of excellence. Since its debut in 1996, the men’s event has seen victories by Major winners such as Nick Price, Trevor Immelman, Darren Clarke, Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen and Paul Lawrie. Recently it has also helped to launch the careers of South Africa’s next generation of stars such as Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Wilco Nienaber.

The women’s tournament has a list of past champions including Lee-Anne Pace, Nobuhle Dlamini, Nicole Garcia, Stacy Bregman and Lejan Lewthwaite.

“The Dimension Data Pro-Am is one of our most important tournaments in both legacy and inclusion through its celebration of and commitment to the men’s and women’s game on the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour, and we’re privileged to have Dimension Data as a longstanding sponsor and partner who shares our vision to keep driving the game forward and create opportunities for our professionals,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

CAPE TOWN – Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith became only the second player to win two Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open titles when he claimed a one-stroke victory at Royal Cape Golf Club on Sunday.

In windy conditions and with a group of players vying for the lead coming down the back nine, Follett-Smith closed with a 70 to win on 15 under par and add to his 2019 victory in this tournament. He joins JC Ritchie as the only two-time winners of this tournament.

“I’m so happy to be a two-time winner on the Sunshine Tour. I think the second time you win is when you really prove yourself. Cape Town is such a special place and I love coming back to this golf course. I feel very at home here,” said Follett-Smith, who also claimed his second Sunshine Tour title and his first on the European Challenge Tour, who co-sanction this tournament.

Follett-Smith went into Sunday’s final round tied for the lead with Darren Fichardt. At one stage he was locked in a battle with five players who were tied for the lead on 14 under par on the back nine. Follett-Smith broke free of that group with his birdie on the 14^th for a one-stroke lead on 15 under par.

On the par-four 17^th, he flew the green with his approach and was in danger of slipping back into a four-way tie for the lead. But the Zimbabwean produced a touch of magic with his incredible up-and-down for par to retain a lead he carried through to victory.

“That up-and-down on 17 was the key to the win. I thought I’d hit the second shot perfectly but the wind combined with adrenalin took it over the green. I’m glad the wind picked up in the final round, though, because that’s where I’m good. When there were so many players vying for the lead, my caddie just said to let the guys run and fight each other and we just do what we normally do. I’m just so grateful to have won,” he said.

The gratitude stems from the the hard work Follett-Smith has put in over the past two years to get to this point.

“The last two years were a big learning curve for me. It’s been difficult and I’m just so happy to have won again. It’s been a lot of hard work. I came out on tour and was Rookie of the Year and won in my first year, and everything was kind of simple. But I’ve figured out you just need to keep working hard every week. I’ve been confident in the work I’ve been doing and what my game is capable of.”

Ugo Coussaud and Jaco van Zyl shared second place on 14 under par. – Michael Vlismas

CAPE TOWN – Darren Fichardt and Benajmin Follett-Smith share the lead going into Sunday’s final round of the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open at Royal Cape Golf Club, and each with a strong desire to turn the lessons of last year into an early victory in 2023.

Fichardt’s 62 in beautiful weather on Saturday equalled the course record of Andrew Georgiou, but with placing in effect. Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin also shot 62 in this tournament last year, and also with placing.

It was a magnificent round in which Fichardt was seven under through his first seven holes as he went out in 29, and it lifted the veteran campaigner to 13 under par overall. He was later joined there by Follett-Smith, the 2019 champion in this tournament, who signed for a 67 on Saturday.

They are one stroke clear of Dylan Mostert who carded a third-round 68, while Manuel Elvira and Jaco van Zyl ended the day on 11 under par.

Fichardt was delighted with a performance which he feels accurately reflects just how comfortable he feels with his game at present.

“I started with three consecutive birdies and I just carried that momentum and was in the zone. Then after the two birdies and an eagle I just felt like, ‘Here we go’. I had that tunnel vision. The swing was good and I knew if I was within 15 feet of the hole on the green I was putting well enough to have a chance. I just felt very comfortable and just let it happen,” he said, giving himself the perfect start to a year in which he has high hopes for his game.

“I had a very long year last year. I played 34 events out in Europe and travelled a lot and midway through the year I was burning out. But I learnt a lot about myself. I almost like to call it Summer Camp because I fixed a lot of areas of my game where I was struggling. I took a long break now in December and just carried that technique over to this year with a fresher mind. It’s pretty exciting. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Follett-Smith has been on a similar search for improvement and is looking forward to testing himself as part of the final group on Sunday.

“I’m very pleased with the way I played today. There was no wind so it was easier to attack the flags, and then I putted really well. I was trying to figure out why Darren was looking so cheerful on the eighth hole and then I found out he was seven under par through seven holes. I think that realisation pushed us all along. The better everyone is playing, the better you have to play. I like this golf course. You just need to have a good short game here and usually that’s where I’m strong,” he said. – Michael Vlismas

CAPE TOWN – Jaco van Zyl heads into the weekend of the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open with a one-stroke lead and a feeling he’s looking forward to building on over the next two rounds at Royal Cape Golf Club.

“It’s the first time in years where I’m really happy with all 14 clubs in my bag,” said Van Zyl, who lost in a four-man playoff for the inaugural Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open title in 2012.

Van Zyl put together a composed and bogey-free 65 to take the lead on nine under par in this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament on Friday.

He is one stroke clear of 2019 Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open champion Benjamin Follett-Smith who signed for a second round of 68, the in-form Dylan Mostert who also put together a bogey-free 65 in Friday’s windy conditions, and England’s Ashley Chesters who carded a 67.

It’s been a tough climb for Van Zyl, a 16-time winner on the Sunshine Tour who has won three South African PGA Championship titles and also represented South Africa at the Olympic Games but who through a range of injuries has struggled to regain that form.

His win in last September’s Gary and Vivienne Player Challenge ended a six-year win drought on the Sunshine Tour.

“I’ve been struggling for so long and I just had to try and build my self-confidence and self-belief. I’ve been playing really nicely for a while now and a round like this definitely helps that process,” he said.

What also helps is a Royal Cape course that plays to his strengths.

“This golf course really suits me. You don’t need to hit it miles off the tee and you need to think your way around here. It’s the oldest golf course in the country and it’s right up my alley. It’s just one of those great golf courses. You don’t have much into the greens but it still makes you think. Even if you hit your approach to 15 feet, if it’s in the wrong spot on the greens there are no guarantees.”

With plenty of experience to draw on, Van Zyl is well aware his job is only halfway done.

“It’s always nice to be in this position. We’re only halfway now but it’s nice to have the lead.” – Michael Vlismas