Year: 2025

JOHANNESBURG – Multiple Sunshine Tour champion, Benjamin Follett-Smith from Zimbabwe, and his namesake from South Africa, Benjamin Van Wyk, both opened with 65s during Thursday’s first round of the Fortress Invitational at Glendower Golf Club to share the lead on seven under par.

Follett-Smith’s round included two eagles and four birdies, with one unfortunate drop on the par-four 18^th hole. 

Van Wyk’s round was highlighted by eight birdies and only one drop on the par-four seventh hole.

“I was hitting the ball very well from tee to green and I capitalised with my putting which was very good. I kept the momentum going, especially when I missed the green,” said Van Wyk.

Van Wyk has been working on improving his game between tournaments, and the effort has been rewarded with two recent top-10 finishes.

“I am feeling very good about my game. I have been working on my swing so it’s good to see some consistency where I can just rely on my putting,” Van Wyk added.

One shot back is a four-way share of second place on six under par with Martin Voster, Tyran Snyders, Daniel van Tonder and Warwick Purchase all scoring 66 for their first round. – Michael Vlismas Media

JOHANNESBURG – Altin van der Merwe is back where it all began for him in this week’s Fortress Invitational, and at a time in his life which represents a new beginning as well.

Van Der Merwe tees it up in Thursday’s first round of this Sunshine Tour event at Glendower Golf Club with fond memories of this being the first professional tournament he played in while still an amateur in 2023. And this week he tees it up with another first in his mind, namely his first tournament as a father following the recent birth of his daughter.

“My spirits are high, and golf is not the only thing that matters anymore,” said Van Der Merwe, who has been playing exceptional golf over the past few weeks with finishes of fourth and second that have carried him into 10^th place on The Courier Guy Order of Merit.

“The last two tournaments were nice. In both I was in contention and had a chance to win. I just went back to an old swing thought and it’s worked for me,” he said.

In 2023 Van Der Merwe was invited to compete in the Fortress Invitational as an amateur and finished tied 30^th. He admits he returns this week feeling a lot more relaxed and confident about his chances as he continues to push for a maiden title on the Sunshine Tour.

“I was so nervous that week as an amateur, and yet I did well. I’m a lot more relaxed now. It’s strange because Glendower is not a course that really suits me, but I’ve learnt how to play it. But also, with the birth of my daughter, I feel like whether it goes well or not on the golf course, when I’m finished playing it’s over and I don’t worry about it until the next round.”

There is a definite sense of Van Der Merwe coming full circle this week, with him also having won the Fortress Rookie of the Year title in the 2024/25 season.

Now in his second season on the Sunshine Tour, Van Der Merwe has had three top fives this season already and is hitting impressive form with the main co-sanctioned tournaments with the DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour still to come in the summer.

“It’s been going well, and if it can continue it would be great,” he said. – Michael Vlismas Media

Waterberg, Limpopo – Pieter Moolman claimed his fourth Sunshine Tour title with a two-shot victory in the Limpopo Championship at the Euphoria Golf & Lifestyle Estate on Sunday.

Moolman, who ended his third round with two bogeys for joint second place, also had a tough start to his fourth round with two more bogeys within his first four holes. But he made up for this as he went through his next 12 holes in eight under par for a final round of 66 and a winning total of 12 under par.

“At least I didn’t finish like I did yesterday, but I am very happy with how I played the back nine. It is a tough course with some tricky flags,” Moolman said.

After losing out on the Sunbet Challenge Sun Sibaya title in a playoff two weeks ago, Moolman was happy to get the win this time.

“I have been knocking but it feels amazing to actually pull it through without a playoff this time. I am very happy about it,” Moolman added.

Rupert Kaminski, who led by four strokes going into the final round, struggled to a closing 73 for joint second place on 10 under par alongside Kyle de Beer (67) and Altin van der Merwe (69). – Michael Vlismas Media

Waterberg, Limpopo – Rupert Kaminski is yet to finish his round, but ended Saturday’s incomplete third round in a commanding lead on 11-under par, as play was again suspended at the Limpopo Championship played on the Euphoria Golf & Lifestyle Estate.

Kaminski started the third round one shot behind the joint leaders, but made a strong run on the front-nine, rolling in three birdies and an eagle, turning in 31 strokes. Another birdie followed on the par-four 14^th hole, for a flawless round of six-under par, with two more holes still to be played tomorrow morning.

Looking for his second Sunshine Tour victory after clinching the South African PGA Championship in 2023, Kaminski is in a commanding position, five shots clear from fellow South Africans Pieter Moolman (67), who managed to complete his third round, as well as MJ Viljoen and the joint second-round leader
Matthew Spacey, with both still to finish their respective third rounds.

Round three will resume on Sunday morning at 06h40. – Michael Vlismas Media

Matthew Spacey and Benjamin van Wyk hold the clubhouse lead on six under par in the incomplete second round of the Limpopo Championship at the Euphoria Golf & Lifestyle Estate.

With the opening round only completed on Friday morning because of a weather delay, Spacey (69) and van Wyk (66) managed to also finish their respective second rounds to end the day in the joint lead and with both searching for a maiden Sunshine Tour victory.

For Spacey, the day was important in terms of his confidence.

“It’s been a nice thing coming. I have been struggling the last few events. I have been working hard with my coach and not seeing the results, but I started to gain a bit of confidence, which is nice. I have been really hitting it pretty solid and added a new putter in the bag last week. Everything is starting to come together,” he said.

With play suspended early on the opening day, it was a long second day for the field.

“It was tough playing 29 holes today. It’s a very long walk, so I am going to need a rest tonight,” Spacey said.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Spacey said he wants to put a disappointing season behind him and just focus on his own game.

“I will keep things the same with good routine and not push, because when I push I struggle. My season hasn’t been great this year, so it’s nice to see some good things coming out of it.”

The duo are currently one stroke clear of Luis Carrera, Jason Roets and Altin van der Merwe who also all completed their second rounds. The second round will resume at 7h30 on Saturday morning. – Michael Vlismas Media

The Limpopo Championship is expected to feature a strong field of established Sunshine Tour stars and a promising group of rising young contenders when this R2.5 million tournament is played at the Euphoria Golf & Lifestyle Estate from 9-12 October.

This flagship sporting event for Limpopo Tourism has drawn a list of entries including defending champion Deon Germishuys, two of the top three players on the Sunshine Tour’s Courier Guy Order of Merit, and seven of the past 10 champions on the Tour this season.

It’s another resounding endorsement of a tournament that will celebrate its seventh edition as an event that showcases the rich cultural and wildlife diversity of Limpopo.

“The Limpopo Tourism Agency’s partnership with the Sunshine Tour over the years to stage the Limpopo Championship continues to contribute immensely towards the agency’s mandate. A tournament of this magnitude attracts visitors, creates employment and supports economic development. Ultimately, the tournament makes a positive difference in the lives of the local community,” said Moses Ngobeni, the Limpopo Tourism Agency CEO.

The Limpopo Championship continues to grow in stature since its debut on the Sunshine Tour in 2019 and with past champions that include winners on the DP World Tour, HotelPlanner Tour and Sunshine Tour, and Sunshine Tour Courier Guy Order of Merit champions.

“It is a great achievement and a proud moment for all parties involved to see the Limpopo Championship becoming a permanent fixture on the South African golfing calendar. The strong field also includes a healthy contingency of international players,” said Jimmy Headbush, the Limpopo Championship promoter.

Germishuys, who won this title with a tournament record of 22 under par last year, is expected to make his return from his commitments on the DP World Tour.

He is seeking to become only the second player in Limpopo Championship history to successfully defend his title.

JC Ritchie was the first to do so with his victories in 2019 and 2020.

Young stars such as Samuel Simpson, a winner on Tour this season already, and Tyran Snyders, who has had three top-10s this season to play his way into the top 20 on the Courier Guy Order of Merit, will look to continue building on their good form in this year’s tournament. – Michael Vlismas Media

Dean Burmester has confirmed that he will play in November’s Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship on the Sunshine Tour as part of a personal desire with his teammates at Stinger GC to play a greater role in the growth of this event and to continue supporting the Tour where their careers began.

Stinger GC, which consists of captain Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Burmester, has further contributed to the increase in the prize money for this year’s Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship to R3 million.

The Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship is South Africa’s second oldest professional tournament, and Burmester will head to St Francis Links from 27-30 November seeking to join a rare club of golfers who have won this tournament multiple times after his victory here in 2021.

“I’m very excited to play in the Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship. I have fond memories of winning this tournament in 2021 and it’s always an honour when you can win such a prestigious title on the Sunshine Tour and add your name to a trophy that has the names of some of Southern Africa’s greatest golfers on it. It’s going to be very special to be back there and supporting an event I’ve always held in high regard,” said Burmester.

Speaking as captain of Stinger GC, Louis Oosthuizen outlined his team’s desire to play an even greater role in supporting the Sunshine Tour and its premier tournaments.

“All four of us are homegrown Sunshine Tour players. We all started our careers on this Tour and took the opportunities provided to take our games to the international stage. It’s a privilege now for us to serve as an inspiration for the next generation of Sunshine Tour professionals to do the same, and that’s why we take every opportunity that we can to come home and support the Sunshine Tour.

“The Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship is one of our most prestigious tournaments and I’m proud to have won it twice. I know what it meant for my career. While we’d all like to be able to play in it this year, Dean will be there to represent us. Stinger GC and we as the players look forward to playing our part in the growth of this great event going forward.”

Gary Player’s 90^th birthday will feature one of the largest gatherings of South Africa’s most iconic sportsmen and the stars of the Sunshine Tour as they join the country’s greatest ever sportsman in celebrating this milestone and competing in the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational at Sun City this November.

Springbok legends such as Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield and Steven Kitshoff will join Bafana Bafana greats Lucas Radebe, Shaun Bartlett and Mark Fish, as well as Proteas cricketers Herschelle Gibbs, Jonty Rhodes and JP Duminy, Liverpool football legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, International Boxing Hall of Fame star Brian Mitchell, golf star David Frost, former Miss World Rolene Strauss, and Irish musician Brian McFadden  in a veritable Hall of Fame of sports stars, golfers and celebrities who will compete in the 36-hole Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational at the Gary Player Country Club and Lost City Golf Course from 1-2 November.

This will be matched by a glittering array of business giants from Sun International, BMW, Citadel, Tabono, The Pro Shop, Rolex and Cell C as they continue their support of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation South Africa (GVPF SA) and its commitment to the sustainability of The Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School.

A field of 39 Sunshine Tour professionals will also compete in the Tour’s own tribute to an icon of the global game and a man who inspired generations of South African professional golfers.

The tournament will coincide with Gary Player’s 90^th birthday celebration that weekend.

Nelson Mandela once declared, “Through his tremendous influence as a great athlete, Mr Player accomplished what many politicians could not…His accomplishments as a humanitarian and statesman are equal to, and may even surpass, his accomplishments as an athlete. That is a legacy that will last forever”.

Player has always sought to remain true to these words, and his desire to keep giving back will also form part of his birthday festivities as he’s asked for people worldwide to respond to his call for “90 Acts of Kindness” in a show of compassion, and for the youth to “Become a Future Player” and make an impact in their own communities.

“In life we can be called to many things. Some to become great sportsmen. Some to entertain. Some to become business leaders. And we all walk those paths of our lives. But all of us, no matter who we are, are called to be kind to one another. I’m overwhelmed by the number of people who have shown me kindness in my life, and who will do so again by joining us at Sun City. And I hope it inspires all of us to not give in to the cynicism of the world, and to keep fighting to be kind,” said Player.

Full Field

Sports Stars and Celebrities

Gary Player, Brian McFadden, Keith Duffy, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Steven Kitshoff, Patrick Lambie, Schalk Brits, Jonty Rhodes, Rolene Strauss, Shaun Barlett,Victor Matfield, Owen Nkumane, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jimmy Tau, Maps Maponyane, David Kau, Mark Williams, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Stefan Terblanche, Butch James, Brian Baloyi, Corinne Vidén, Isabella Deilert, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Brian Mitchell, Naas Botha, Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Odwa Ndungane, Akona Ndungane, Robbi Kempson, Bongani Kumalo, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jaco Kriel, Stanton Fredericks.

Sunshine Tour Professionals

Oliver Bekker, Luis Carrera, Pieter Moolman, Jean Hugo, Heinrich Bruiners, Luca Filippi, Samual Simpson, Malcolm Mitchell, Luke Jerling, Yurav Premlall, Jacques Blaauw, Jacquin Hess, Makhetha Mazibuko, Karabo Mokoena, Keenan Davidse, Keelan Africa, Warwick Purchase, Altin van der Merwe, Ricky Handler, Lyle Rowe, Christiaan Burke, Fredrick From, Martin Rohwer, Jason Roets, Wynand Dingle, Graham van der Merwe, Conner Mackenzie, Jaco Prinsloo, Xander Basson, Jack Hawksby, Jake Redman, Jordan Duminy, Matthew Spacey, Ethan Smith, Doug McGuigan, Quintin Wilsnach, James Mack, Keelan van Wyk, David Frost.

Join the campaign:
Follow and share your acts of kindness using the hashtag #90Acts
Support the Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation South Africa’s work at: https://garyandvivienneplayerfoundationdonate.org/southafrica/

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