Author: Michael Vlismas

The experienced Neil Schietekat has put aside the disappointments of the previous season and will go into the final round of the FBC Zimbabwe Open at the Royal Harare Golf Club with a seven-stroke lead after he dominated the third round on Saturday with a six-under-par 66, the lowest round of the day.

The 39-year-old Schietekat has been a consistent contender on the Sunshine Tour for the last half-dozen seasons, but in 2022/23 he finished 47^th in the Luna Order of Merit. The Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club representative put it down to the challenges of competing both at home and on the Asian Tour for the first time. But the new season has started in the best way possible with the fifth win of his Sunshine Tour career beckoning in Harare.

“It was my first year out in Asia and I was trying to juggle playing on both tours,” Schietekat said after his bogey-free round on Saturday. “But by the standards I have set myself, I wasn’t great on either tour and I just kept my Asian Tour card.

“I struggled with the travel, being away from home for five or six weeks in a row, with a time-difference of seven hours sometimes, which makes it difficult to chat to your family.

“I haven’t really changed anything in my game, I’ve just been working hard and I’m taking a bit of a break from playing in Asia, before heading out in a couple of weeks. It’s about giving myself a better schedule this year.

“So now I have a nice gap going into the final round and it will just be about sticking to my guns and keep playing the way I have been,” Schietekat said.

While Schietekat is lord of all he surveys at the top of the leaderboard on 14-under-par, his 66 being two strokes better than the next best round on Saturday, he modestly said he had made several lengthy putts for par to keep his momentum going.

“I’m pretty chuffed with my score because the wind was swirling and the greens quickened up and became quite crusty towards the end of the day. So it was great to keep bogeys off my card because that allowed me to keep the momentum going. I made a lot of clutch putts for par,” Schietekat said.

Last year’s South African Strokeplay Championship winner Jonathan Broomhead, in his first season in the professional big time, shot a marvellous three-under-par 69 to land himself in second place on seven-under, alongside first-round leader Wynand Dingle (71).

Second-round leader Adam Breen is in the tie for fourth on five-under, having hit tough times on Saturday as he shot a 76. The experienced duo of Jaco Ahlers and Peter Karmis both shot 71s to also finish on five-under, while Robson Chinhoi is the leading Zimbabwean golfer as his 68 lifted him into a share of seventh place with Trevor Fisher Jnr on four-under-par.

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Adam Breen is in just his second season as a Sunshine Tour professional, but he has handled the challenges of the Royal Harare Golf Club course better than any of his more senior colleagues as he will head into the weekend leading the FBC Zimbabwe Open by one stroke.

In Friday’s second round, Breen fired a composed four-under-par 68, which included six birdies. Combined with his 67 on the first day, it lifted the Country Club Johannesburg golfer to nine-under for the tournament, one ahead of the experienced Neil Schietekat (69).

Breen began Friday’s round on the 10^th hole and the 25-year-old said one of the hardest challenges posed by the classic parkland layout is how differently the two nines play, with the back nine being much more difficult.

“They are completely different nines. On the front nine, the par-fives are more straightforward and the par-threes are easier because there are no elevated greens. But on the back nine, the greens are elevated and it is quite punishing off the tee. They’ve been giving us back pins and the greens slope away towards the bunkers, so it is very hard to get the ball close.

“You feel like you’re holding on for dear life and you want some sort of cushion before you play the back nine. But I actually found it quite nice to start on the back nine today, grind it out, trying to stay cool, and then opening up on the front nine,” Breen said.

And that’s exactly what the second-year pro did. After two bogeys and a birdie in his first four holes, he made important birdies on the par-three 15^th and par-four 18^th holes, setting him up for a bogey-free front nine in which he picked up three more shots, on the third, fifth and sixth holes.

“It’s a challenging course and sometimes par can feel like birdie. You’ve just got to stay patient and set yourself up by being in the right spots. I’m in a nice position for the weekend because scoring is going to be tough,” Breen said.

Citizens of South Africa dominate the leaderboard going into the weekend, with Jacques P. de Villiers (70) third on seven-under-par and first-round leader Wynand Dingle (72) in fourth place on six-under.

Trevor Fisher Jnr is on five-under-par and Ricky Hendler, Jonathan Broomhead, Jaco Ahlers, Jovan Rebula, Lyle Rowe and Sean Bradley, alongside Peter Karmis, who was born in South Africa but plays under the Greek flag, round out the top-12 on four-under.

Stuart Krog, with whom Breen is staying, Shaahid Mahmed, Tonderayi Masunga, Biggie Chibvuri and Kieran Vincent are the leading Zimbabweans, all on one-under-par.

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Wynand Dingle continued the momentum from his best season ever on the Sunshine Tour when he opened the new campaign with a six-under-par 66 for the lead after the first round of the FBC Zimbabwe Open, the first event of the new season, at Royal Harare Golf Club on Thursday.

Boosted by his breakthrough Sunshine Tour win at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Series event at San Lameer last September, Dingle finished 16^th in the 2022/23 Luna Order of Merit, a small matter of a 63-place improvement on his previous best season in 2018/19, when he finished 79^th.

And back in a country he loves and where he has enjoyed success before, finishing in the top-10 in last year’s Zimbabwe Open, Dingle hit the ground running with a birdie at the par-four first hole. Although a bogey followed on the second, he birdied the fourth and then followed a wild run of three successive birdies from the seventh hole as he reached the back nine on four-under.

The 38-year-old’s back nine was more sedate, with the highlight coming on the 604-yard par-five 16^th when his eagle putt disappeared like a shrew into its hole.

Peter Karmis was able to call on his considerable experience and post a five-under 67 to share second place with another seasoned pro in Neil Schietekat and Jacques P. de Villiers and Adam Breen.

“I managed my game well and I was a bit lucky at times, sinking long putts, my short game kept me alive and when I was in the rough I seemed to find gaps between the trees,” Karmis said.

“I’m playing with a lot of control at the moment, hitting the ball where I want to, which leads to a lot of confidence. And the greens are so pure here, it’s crazy how good they are, so you’re always going to make some putts.

“A good dinner and a good night’s sleep will be key to shooting low again tomorrow,” Karmis grinned.

Jovan Rebula was six-under-par through nine holes but then faded on the back nine, finishing with a 68 that left him in sixth place.

The Sunshine Tour tees off its 2023-24 season in Africa this week with the FBC Zimbabwe Open at the Royal Harare Golf Club.

The Tour’s new schedule will start with its African Swing in Zimbabwe and Zambia, and then also includes increased purses for the longstanding Vodacom Origins of Golf and SunBet Challenge series of tournaments.

SuperSport is once again the official broadcaster of the entire season.

The new season begins at Royal Harare Golf Club with this week’s 72-hole tournament, and then travels to Zambia for the Zanaco Masters at Lusaka Golf Club in May.

The four-tournament Vodacom Origins of Golf Series, which first teed off in 2004, will feature increased prize money of R1.5 million and then R2 million for the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final.

The four-tournament SunBet Challenge Series will also feature increased prize money of R1.25 million per event.

The Tour has announced its new schedule up to the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational in November, and will announce its main DP World Tour co-sanctioned summer tournaments at a later stage.

“We are confident we have put together another robust schedule that reflects the significant growth of the Sunshine Tour over the past few years,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

“We have moved from a tournament schedule of 24 events before the COVID-19 pandemic to a schedule that is now 32 tournaments strong and with double the prize money. This new schedule gives our members maximum playing opportunities across the spectrum of our local and international events. Our Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour remains as strong as ever and provides the global pathway for South African professionals to play their way from the Sunshine Tour onto the European Challenge Tour and then ultimately the DP World Tour and beyond.

“There is no doubt that we work in challenging economic times and I’d like to thank our sponsors and partners for their continued faith in the Sunshine Tour as a product that offers unrivalled value through our broadcast partnership with SuperSport and then our international broadcast footprint in our co-sanctioned events.” – Michael Vlismas

SERENGETI ESTATES, Kempton Park – Jaco Ahlers left the best for last, in all respects. In the final tournament of the Sunshine Tour season, Ahlers chipped in from the bunker for birdie on the last to claim a four-shot victory in the Tour Championship at Serengeti Estates on Sunday.

Ahlers closed with a 71 and a total of 17 under par to claim his 11^th victory on the Sunshine Tour.

“I didn’t expect that finish. I was actually just trying to keep it together there at the end. But what a way to finish. I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Ahlers after he was drenched in six bottles of champagne by a group of Serengeti fans with whom he has a special relationship.

“This one was always special. I have a big tie with Serengeti and the people here. My sponsor lives here and I have a lot of support here. This is like a second home for me. It’s a special win this one.”

Casey Jarvis finished second on 13 under par after closing with a 70. Luca Filippi, Ryan van Velzen and Pieter Moolman shared third on eight under par.

Ahlers went into the final round five strokes clear of Jarvis. After the par-three fifth hole, Ahlers was seven shots ahead of Jarvis as he threatened to surpass the record six-stroke victory by Tristen Strydom last year. But Jarvis then made three consecutive birdies from the sixth to cut Ahlers’s lead down to three.

But Ahlers remained composed, and when Jarvis bogeyed the 11^th and 14^th holes, Ahlers birdied the 14^th to give himself a six-shot lead with four to play. He bogeyed 17 and then made the incredible birdie on 18.

With this being the season-ending tournament, Ockie Strydom claimed the overall Luno Order of Merit title thereby securing himself a place in two of the four Majors – the 151^st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool and, via the Federation Ranking on the Official World Golf Ranking, the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill – as well as in the Nedbank Golf Challenge. He also wins R500 000 in Bitcoin.

Casey Jarvis walked off with the Rookie of the Season award for a remarkable first season on the Sunshine Tour in which he challenged for a maiden victory on several occasions, shot only the second 59 in Sunshine Tour history, and finished seventh on the final Luno Order of Merit. – Michael Vlismas

SERENGETI ESTATES, Kempton Park – Jaco Ahlers did what he does so well in a challenging third round of the Tour Championship at Serengeti Estates on Saturday. He had a braai the night before the third round, and then he took on a strong wind and a chasing Casey Jarvis and held them both at bay.

A solid 69 kept Ahlers in the lead of this season-ending Sunshine Tour event on 16 under par. Jarvis fought hard for a 71 to remain his nearest challenger on 11 under par, and Pieter Moolman – who finished second in this event last year – moved into third place on seven under with a 71 of his own.

Ahlers’ 18 years of Tour experience certainly counted on Saturday, and it showed as he birdied two of his final three holes for that five-stroke lead.

“It was windy and it was tough. I am very happy with that finish,” said Ahlers.

“Patience was key. It was hard out there. I wasn’t striking my driver very well. It was going straight but I just didn’t feel I was putting a good strike on it. My putter was also cold on the front nine, but then came together on the back. This is a course I like a lot and which I play often, and it helped today. Especially coming down the stretch where there are some pin positions and chip shots where that knowledge helped immensely.”

Jarvis birdied the first to suggest he was going to keep Ahlers busy on Saturday. But Ahlers responded with a birdie at the second and then just focused on his own game.

“I did see the scoreboard every now and then but just played my own game. I’ll do the same in the final round and just stay in my own space. I’ve played this golf course enough to know there are a few birdies out there and you just need to remain patient.”

Jarvis finds himself in contention for the second week in succession on the Tour and was pleased to have come through a tough day when his putter wasn’t quite on form, but with a shot at victory still within sight.

“It was a proper grind out there but I did that pretty well. I just tried to stay patient and I’m very happy to have kept myself in the hunt for the final round.” – Michael Vlismas

SERENGETI ESTATES, Kempton Park – Jaco Ahlers tightened his grip on the season-ending Tour Championship as he moved into a three-stroke lead headed into the weekend at Serengeti Estates.

On another windy day on Friday Ahlers was outstanding with the putter and signed for a 65 to lead on 13 under par. Casey Jarvis is his nearest challenger on 10 under following a 67, and Keenan Davidse continues to do well despite being treated for bronchitis as he posted a 69 to currently lie in third place on eight under par.

Ahlers’s level of comfort at a Serengeti Estates, which he calls his second home, is very clear to see. The only errors he made on Friday were two poor iron shots – both of them on par threes – on his second nine.

“I’m very happy. I did make two bad bogeys on the back nine, which was really just bad iron shots. But other than that the putter is working like magic for me. The greens are good, the golf course is good, so you can’t ask for more,” said Ahlers, who is also staying with his sponsor on the estate this week.

And this is clearly a golf course he enjoys.

“I like this golf course a lot. I can see what I need to do around here. The course fits my eye so I know where to miss it and I know how to get it around here. It really just comes down to the putting. There are a lot of birdies out there. You just need to be patient. My gameplan won’t change for the weekend. Hopefully the putter just keeps working like it is.”

Behind him, the 19-year-old Jarvis keeps pushing for that maiden victory in his rookie season on the Sunshine Tour.

It’s been a remarkable season for the young professional who finished second in the South African PGA Championship, tied ninth in the Joburg Open, tied ninth in the Dimension Data Pro-Am, second in the SDC Open, and then tied second in last week’s Stella Artois Players Championship where he shot that memorable 59 in the third round. – Michael Vlismas

SERENGETI ESTATES, Kempton Park – Jaco Ahlers’ love for the Tour Championship and Serengeti Estates was clear to see as he opened with a six-under-par 66 to lead the first round of this Sunshine Tour season-ending tournament by a single stroke on Thursday.

Ahlers didn’t drop a single shot on a windy opening day and with some tough pin placements to test this field of the leading available professionals within the top 50 on the Sunshine Tour’s Luno Order of Merit.

The trio of Casey Jarvis, Keenan Davidse and JJ Senekal are one shot behind him. Jarvis is again hunting a maiden Sunshine Tour title in his rookie season, and less than a week after shooting only the second 59 in Sunshine Tour history.

It’s been a busy season for Ahlers as he’s divided his time between the Sunshine Tour and Asia, and he’d love nothing more than to claim a victory at Serengeti this week.

“I didn’t play much in South Africa, but I finished third in the SDC Championship which secured my place in this field. This is a tournament I just love and want to win, so this is a good start,” he said.

“It’s a good golf course. The wind was blowing and there were a few tough pin placements, but the course was also soft which helps with the scoring. I’m really happy I didn’t make a bogey.”

Behind him, Jarvis is once again near the top of the leaderboard in what has been a stellar rookie season on the Sunshine Tour where he’s challenged for a maiden title on several occasions.

“I’m getting more comfortable in this position now and just want to keep learning. I didn’t think I’d be here playing in a Tour Championship in my rookie season and I’m really proud of myself for achieving that,” he said.

“There was a bit of wind the whole day – probably about a club-and-a-half. I played well. I struggled a bit with my wedges but I’m happy with my start. I rolled in the putts I needed to make.”

And Davidse was also more than happy with his opening round as he’s struggling with bronchitis and is on medication this week.

“I’m quite exhausted, so I’m really excited about my round today. I don’t have any expectations. Today I was just focused on whether I could finish the round,” he said. – Michael Vlismas

SERENGETI ESTATES, Kempton Park – Ockie Strydom started the current Sunshine Tour season as a player looking to make that step up in his career. He ends it at this week’s Tour Championship having done exactly this, with two DP World Tour wins and now Major Championship golf to look forward to as well.

Strydom goes into this week’s Sunshine Tour season-ending Tour Championship at Serengeti Estates as the top-ranked golfer on the Tour’s Luno Order of Merit. He cannot be caught this week so will end the season in first place.

This brings with it Major incentives for Strydom, including a place in The Open at Royal Liverpool as well as the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill, the latter coming via the Federation Ranking on the Official World Golf Ranking.

“I’m into two Majors at the moment, and I’m also hoping to get into the US Open through my ranking on the DP World Tour. So that could be three Majors this year, which would be a first for me. It’s challenging and exciting at the same time,” said Strydom.

“I’m trying not to approach anything differently. It definitely sounds nice to say I’m playing in Majors, and it’s a word that changes the mindset. But I’ll try and approach them as just another golf tournament where I have the opportunity to play against the best players in the world.”

Strydom’s first place on the final Luno Order of Merit will also secure him a spot in the Nedbank Golf Challenge later this year.

So it’s a rewarding week for Strydom, and on a golf course that always brings out the best in his game.

“It’s nice to be back here to finish off the Sunshine Tour season. I always play well on this course. I’m a more experienced golfer this year as well so hopefully it’s another good week for me.”

The field this week includes Casey Jarvis, who should wrap-up the Rookie of the Year award.

“That was one of my goals at the beginning of the year and I’m proud to have achieved it. I’ve only been a pro for about seven months and I’ve learned so much out here. I’m very happy with my first season,” he said. – Michael Vlismas