Month: October 2023

PORT EDWARD, KwaZulu-Natal – The strong winds along the seaside were a real pest for most of the golfers at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club on Saturday, but Hennie O’Kennedy managed to get the better of them as he went to the top of the leaderboard on the second day of the Vodacom Origins of Golf KwaZulu-Natal event.

Those winds eventually blew in a thunderstorm that caused play to be suspended for the day, with O’Kennedy on one-under-par for his round, and two-under overall, with three holes to play in his second round. The Stellenbosch Golf Club player has a one-stroke lead at the moment over Ruan de Smidt (70), Ethan Smith (68), Haydn Porteous (68), Conner Mackenzie (66) and Trevor Fisher Jnr, who is three-under for his round and has six holes still to play when the second round resumes at 7.30am on Sunday.

O’Kennedy said he was very happy with how things had turned out on the penultimate day of the R2 million event, saying he had been lucky with the draw.

“It was not at all easy out there and I’m very happy with where I’m sitting. I had a good front nine, starting on the 10^th and reaching the turn in level par, and I think we had the better side of the draw. For the first four or five holes we were into the wind, but then the next seven or eight holes were all downwind.

“My putter has been doing its job over the past two days and I’m very pleased with it. Here and there I’ve missed putts, but these greens are not that easy. I’ve been working on something new with my coach and it was nice to see that paying off,” O’Kennedy said.

The 27-year-old’s control has been excellent and he has hit most of his greens in regulation. O’Kennedy was heading for a big finish when the weather intervened, having eagled the 544-yard par-five third hole and then birdieing the par-four fifth, his penultimate hole before play was suspended.

“I hit a good drive on the second but I was not able to get up-and-down for birdie, so I was not happy. But on the third, I hit a driver and then seven-iron to 15 feet behind the hole and made the putt, so that was quite a confidence-booster. The fifth hole is not usually that easy, but today it was downwind and I hit a great two-iron and then nudged a sand-wedge to 15 feet, before holing the putt,” O’Kennedy said.

After an up-and-down season which O’Kennedy admitted has left him a little frustrated, he is in position to claim his best individual result of the season, having finished 12^th on the Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy last season.

“I’m in a better space mentally and with my game than last year, so it’s been a little frustrating not to score that well. But it looks like I am trending in the right direction before the co-sanctioned events,” O’Kennedy said.

He added that he was hoping the wind has died down or switched direction on Sunday morning. “I was actually quite pleased to come off because I have the eighth hole coming up, it’s a short par-three with water on the left. I spoke to one of my mates and he said he had to hit five-iron in there, so I’m hoping things are a bit calmer tomorrow!”

PORT EDWARD, KwaZulu-Natal – A solid ball-striking day in the relentless wind saw Jbe’ Kruger shoot a two-under-par 68 as he established a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf KwaZulu-Natal event at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club on Friday.

The well-travelled Kruger, who in July won the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup in Japan, began his first tournament on the Sunshine Tour this season in style as he birdied the par-four first hole.

Back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth holes were sandwiched by three-putt bogeys on the par-five third and par-three sixth holes. Kruger collected two more birdies on the back nine, on the par-five 12^th and the par-three 17^th, but did drop a shot on the par-five 16^th.

But the 37-year-old was more than satisfied with his round on a tough day at the Wild Coast Sun, hitting 16 greens in regulation.

“To make an under-par score with the wind the way it was and the tough greens means I could not have played badly. And if I keep hitting the ball like I did today I will be very happy.

“Obviously it helps that I was able to get the ball on the green in regulation most of the time, especially in the wind. I made a couple of pretty long putts and I was actually pleased to only have two three-putts given the wind and the greens.

“I think I’ve only played once before here when it was more windy and I haven’t really felt in form. I’ve been struggling the last few weeks. My golf has been very average so I’m very pleased to start so well out of the blocks,” Kruger said.

Luke Brown also did well in his tussle with the daunting Wild Coast Sun layout, shooting a 69 to share second place with Hennie O’Kennedy and Ruan de Smidt.

Brown bogeyed the second hole, but then birdies on the fourth, seventh and ninth holes saw him make his move. He made a second bogey on the par-five 12th, but thereafter there was an armistice between the Johannesburg golfer and the seaside course, as he parred his way through to the close.

O’Kennedy was level-par through the front nine with two bogeys and two birdies, and he then birdied the par-five 12^th to get into red numbers.

De Smidt mixed five birdies with four bogeys and was alone in the lead on three-under before dropping shots on the 15^th and 17^th holes.

PORT EDWARD, KwaZulu-Natal – The reality of South Africa’s past keeps catching up with so many of the country’s disadvantaged communities, which is why Vodacom Business have made it their purpose to keep working to uplift these needy areas of society according to the Executive Head of Marketing, Dr Ntombi Mhangwani.

At every Vodacom Origins of Golf Pro-Am Series event there is a development clinic held where Sunshine Tour professionals help youngsters from the various chapters of the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) with their games.

With the third leg of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Pro-Am Series being held at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club this week, 25 young boys and girls were teeing it up on the driving range on Thursday under the watchful eye of not just the professionals but Mhangwani herself.

“The reality of our past keeps catching up with our communities. Everyone knows about cellphones and networks and that Vodacom is the leading provider, but we need to evolve and be purpose-led. Our communities support us, they are why we do well, so we must support our communities when we are at the golf and provide exposure to the game,” Mhangwani said.

“It’s not good enough that they just buy our product, it’s our duty as Vodacom Business to create that exposure to the game of golf for those people who previously knew nothing about it. It can give them a purpose, learning about the game and the disciplines required. But without access to golf, how will they be able to do that?

“We need to grow our communities and try and build people in golf for a long time. We’ve got to take the long journey so they understand the work ethic and discipline required to sustain a career in golf,” Mhangwani said.

Thanks to Vodacom’s intervention, many children’s lives have been saved from the backwash of our socio-economic problems and Rodney Moloko, the Executive Head for Vodacom Business in KwaZulu-Natal, spoke of the joy of seeing lives changed.

“A couple of months ago, I was handing out blankets and food parcels to little kids at one of our ECD centres and one of our account managers told me that they had been at the same centre 20 years ago. So he had come through our systems, because of our help, he had come full circle. It just shows you what’s possible when you invest in kids,” Moloko said.

Joseph Kunene is another who is investing in South Africa’s youth as he heads up the SAGDB’s KZN efforts, with over 100 kids enrolled in the South Coast programme that encompasses Umgababa, Umkomaas, Port Shepstone and Margate. Aged from seven to 16, when they are ready, they tackle various courses in the area once a week.

Allowing children to be part of the great game of golf is most certainly a deeper purpose for both Vodacom and the SAGDB.

PORT EDWARD, KwaZulu-Natal – Former South Africa and Sharks centre Waylon Murray believes that while other teams have had metaphorical red carpets laid out for them at this year’s Rugby World Cup, the Springboks have travelled a tough road to the semi-finals and that should stand them in good stead.

Murray was a guest of honour at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Wild Coast Pro-Am dinner and shared a Q & A with fellow former Springbok and Sharks legend Keegan Daniel, which understandably was largely focused on South Africa’s semi-final against England on Saturday in Paris.

Murray, the current Director of Sport at Kearsney College just outside Durban, pointed out that the Springboks have been toughened and honed by playing against the likes of Scotland, Ireland and hosts France, while England breezed through their pool and were fortunate to beat Fiji in their quarterfinal.

“England have had an easier route to the semi-finals, while the Springboks have had some monumental games. So we could be a bit battered from all the collisions, but I would hope instead that it means we are battle-hardened,” Murray said.

“It’s all about how the Boks prepare and we know they will be ready, especially in crunch time. The Springboks and All Blacks are used to these pressure situations at World Cups and they showed their class in the quarterfinals.

“They know how to get up at crucial times and get over the line. Beating Ireland and France are no easy tasks, but that’s the beauty of sport, it keeps us on the edge of our seats.

“These knockout games are about who executes better in the first half, but they’re even more about who has the tactical edge to bring it home in the second half. There’s a rich history at the World Cup of small margins and big moments, like Cheslin Kolbe’s charge-down or Sam Whitelock’s crucial turnover after 37 phases,” Murray said.

Daniel, a loose forward who captained the Sharks during one of their golden periods, was certain that the semi-finals would be the end of the road for England and Argentina.

“I think the Springboks are favourites by a long way against England and New Zealand should be far too strong for Argentina. So it’s probably a Kiwis versus Boks final.

“Sport is very relatable to business in the sense that if your players buy into your philosophy then you will get the best out of them. And both the Springboks and All Blacks coaches are very astute.

“Every Springbok squad member understands their role, whether it is starting, coming off the bench or not even playing. They are all playing for the same purpose and there is a massive amount of power in that,” Daniel said.

Purpose is also a major part of Vodacom’s identity and Murray, who played more than 50 Vodacom Super Rugby games, praised the mobile communications company for their wonderful contribution to the South African sporting space.

“Vodacom have been crucial in enabling professional rugby and other sports to operate at the highest level. They have been exceptional sponsors of rugby and sport in general because they are passionate about growing sport in areas that have not been exposed to the highest levels yet. They can be very proud of their role in our country’s sporting success,” Murray said.

PORT EDWARD, KwaZulu-Natal – Bafana Bafana star Mark Fish always played with great pride when representing South Africa, and the 49-year-old said on Wednesday that the Springboks have laid down a marker for all sporting codes in this country with their performances at the Rugby World Cup.

Fish, a star of Bafana Bafana’s 1996 African Cup of Nations triumph and speaking at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Wild Coast Pro-Am, said he had been inspired by the Springboks’ gripping 29-28 win over hosts France in their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal last weekend.

“It was a phenomenal opening 25 minutes against France and then the Boks did what they needed to do to hold on. It’s been nearly 30 years since we first won the Rugby World Cup and I believe the Springboks are there to lift the trophy. To do that four times would just show the depth and ability and vision of South African rugby, and it’s something I really hope will flow over to all our other sporting codes.

“I do feel that because of the way the Springboks unite the nation, they really show that passion to play for South Africa. I would like that to flow over to all our national teams. The players need to realise what it means to play for their country,” Fish said.

While enjoying his time on the fairways as a guest of the Vodacom Origins of Golf this week, the legendary defender said he has been delighted by the recent displays of Bafana Bafana and says he sees signs of Springbok-like passion in the team.

Bafana Bafana most recently went to Côte d’Ivoire’s lair in Abidjan and drew 1-1. It was a match South Africa could easily have won against one of the most consistent powerhouses of African football.

“I think some of the Bafana players do realise what it means to play for your country and that team is doing something special at the moment. They have been unbeaten for a while now, against some really quality opposition,” Fish said.

“Hugo Broos clearly has the players believing in what they are trying to do. When they go to Afcon early next year, we must expect nothing less than a semi-final place, otherwise it will be disappointing.

“That Ivory Coast result away from home shows that we can have belief in Bafana, and they should do well in the World Cup qualifiers as well. They are building on something good,” Fish said.

Golf and giving back is also something Fish is passionate about and he was one of the early supporters of the Vodacom Origins of Golf series, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary.

“The Vodacom Origins of Golf series is close to my heart because I played in one of the first events and I can really see how it’s grown. Vodacom has done phenomenal work in golf development and we are fortunate to play with Sunshine Tour players and see all the effort and hard work that goes into being a pro. And we enjoy just watching them play. Plus we can learn one or two things from them. Whether we actually can use it or not is another thing.

“But it was another very enjoyable day out there in the Vodacom Origins of Golf, and the wind just reminded you of why it’s called the Wild Coast. My golf was up-and-down, but I was playing really well at the end.”

The Nedbank Golf Challenge has entered its final phase of preparation for this year’s tournament and with the focus now on fine-tuning the famed Gary Player Country Club course ahead of the November 9-12 DP World Tour tournament at Sun City.

Sunday saw the playing of the traditional Final Round for sponsors and media, which signals the closing of the golf course until tournament week.

“The Final Round is one of our longstanding traditions with our sponsors and invited media. It’s an opportunity for them to play the golf course before we officially close it to the public ahead of the tournament,” said Tournament Director, Ken Payet.

The famed Gary Player Country Club course will now be allowed to reach its peak condition for this year’s tournament as it prepares to welcome a 66-man DP World Tour field that already includes defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Justin Thomas, Max Homa and Ockie Strydom.

“The next three weeks is an important period of time for us to give the golf course a rest and also for our course staff to focus on the manicuring and attention to detail. This is the time when we fine tune the golf course from a player’s perspective. We have a very high expectation of the standard we want this course to be at for tournament week,” said Payet.

“At the moment the golf course is looking very good. It’s now all about the golf course peaking for that week of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. The stars need to align in terms of the weather and just the right amount of rain. It’s about hitting that sweet spot with Mother Nature.”

Payet has already identified what he believes will be the key holes at this year’s tournament.

“There are a few holes on this golf course where you can win or lose the tournament. Last year Tommy Fleetwood took excellent advantage of the par fives. The par-four eighth hole is always critical for me because it’s such a tough hole and traditionally plays as one of the toughest. You can make a birdie or a tiple bogey there. The par-five ninth hole is another important hole. We try and set it up that the professionals can go for the green in two and make eagle there. The par-five 10^th is also pivotal as a hole where you can make birdies and eagles. The par-five 14^th is a phenomenal hole with the green guarded by bunkers. And then the par-four 18^th is a hole where over the past few years we’ve tried to have an accessible final round pin placement. When you’re chasing a leader it is difficult to make a birdie on the last with a back right pin, so we’ve tried to make the pin placement more accessible. Those are holes that can make a difference and where it can go either way for a player.”

With three weeks until the start of this year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge, Payet says the interest in this year’s tournament has been incredible.

“We’re very excited about this year’s field. It’s been eight months of negotiations with the best players in the world. Our player committee team has done phenomenally well, and Gary Player in particular has provided immense assistance in helping us secure some of the world’s best players at Sun City. The interest from the public has already been incredible.”

SUN CITY, North West –  Making birdies is usually the name of the game in the modified scoring system used by the Blue Label Challenge, but making 15 pars was at the centre of Luca Filippi’s success on Saturday as he claimed the title by two points at the Gary Player Country Club.

Filippi, who went into the final round leading by six points, had to recover from a tough start in which he bogeyed the fourth and sixth holes to lose two points. But after his mishap at the par-four sixth, Filippi did not drop another shot, his eight pars in a row being interrupted by a crucial birdie, worth two points, on the par-four 15^th hole. The 24-year-old then parred his way home, despite high drama on the last hole when he hit his approach into the water but managed to get up-and-down for par on the par-five.

That left Filippi on 34 points, two ahead of Ryan van Velzen and Keenan Davidse.

Van Velzen pushed Filippi hard with a seven-point haul, but he made crucial bogeys on the 13^th and 17^th holes, while Davidse scored four points on the back nine but paid dearly for a pair of bogeys on the second and third holes, and then four in a row from the sixth.

“It was a tough day with guys seeming to struggle to control their ball-flight in the hot weather, it went a bit further today,” Filippi said. “It was weird that I wasn’t that nervous because in this format it’s anyone’s game and I knew I was always in play.

“I just wanted to make pars but give myself chances to make birdies, if the putt drops then it’s a bonus. Draining that birdie putt on 15, after hitting a lob-wedge from 81 metres in the middle of the fairway to two metres was big for momentum coming down the stretch, putting me all-square for the day.

“The 18^th was nervewracking though. Keenan and I both hit good tee-shots and I had 185 metres to the flag, so I hit a five-iron, but I was short-right and into the water. Keenan missed a four-metre birdie putt to win, but I made my four-metre putt for par.

“There’s no better feeling than winning a golf tournament, it was unbelievable, that’s the only word to describe it. I’m very happy, it was a great day,” Filippi said.

The victory is the Milnerton golfer’s first in a regular individual event on the Sunshine Tour, Filippi having won the Bain’s Whisky Ubunye Teams Challenge at Pretoria Country Club in August.

“It’s been a long journey and it’s wonderful to get it done. The teams event didn’t quite feel like a proper win, there has been some talk about ‘is it really a win?’, but I just had to suppress those thoughts. Now the monkey is completely off my back,” said Filippi, who finished second in last year’s Blue Label Challenge at Sun City after his eagle-putt on the last lipped out.

SUN CITY, North West –  Luca Filippi clung on to the lead after a tough third round of the Blue Label Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Friday and said he will employ the services of the same game-plan in the final round as he looks to improve on his runners-up finish in last year’s tournament.

Filippi netted just four points on Friday, but it was enough to take him to 34 points overall, six ahead of nearest challenger Keenan Davidse. Considering Filippi started the day bogey-bogey, and then had two bogeys in three holes on the back nine, he did well to keep things together and maintain his lead in the R2.7 million tournament that employs a modified points-scoring system. Birdies are worth two points, pars zero and bogeys see one point deducted. Eagles are worth five points and double-bogeys cost three points.

Last year he was the chaser, his late charge for the title finishing agonisingly short as his eagle-putt on the last hole lipped out, but Filippi will now be the hunted on Saturday.

“Today was tough with quite difficult conditions. They call it the caddies’ graveyard on days like this with the wind swirling around, and after a rough start I was really glad to claw things back nicely,” Filippi said.

“Birdies are like gold on days like these here, and I was chuffed to get four of them to put me in a good position. I will stick to the same game-plan because in this format, especially with the wind and not knowing what it’s going to do, I need to give myself birdie chances. That will be key.”

After dropping shots on the par-five first and par-four second holes, Filippi managed to get the wheels back on the axle by collecting back-to-back birdies on the next two holes. Another birdie on the par-five sixth took him to four points at the turn.

Bogeys on 12 and 14, both par-fours, caused another wobble, and the 24-year-old said a birdie on the par-three 16^th was a vital gain.

“That birdie on 16 was massive, it means I can sleep nicely. That hole is always tough because you can get the wind completely wrong there. Fortunately my caddy and I got it right, I hit an eight-iron from 171 metres and made a four-metre putt from the fringe above the hole,” Filippi said.

Davidse had two double-bogeys on the front nine, but regrouped well, ending with three successive birdies for a seven-point tally that saw him jump into second place on 28 points.

Rookie Jonathan Broomhead produced the round of the day, his 11 points taking him to joint third on 25 points with Ryan van Velzen (-1).

Sean Bradley also excelled on Friday with 10 points, taking him to joint fifth on 23 points, alongside Callum Mowat, who lost three points with a double-bogey on the last hole. First-round leader Yurav Premlall is also on 23 after an extraordinary round comprising 18 pars, for zero points.