Author: Michael Vlismas

CAPE TOWN –A rare change of equipment benefitted South Africa’s Jared Harvey as he opened with a five-under-par 67 that placed him one stroke off the lead of Spain’s Manuel Elvira after Thursday’s first round of the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open at Royal Cape Golf Club.

Harvey was delighted with a bogey-free start to this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament following a round that started in calm conditions and finished in a stiff breeze.

“There was no breeze when we teed off early this morning, but it definitely picked up as the round went on and it was tricky at a stage. I also changed clubs recently which was a big thing for me. I’m not much of a changer. So to have no bogeys does give me confidence,” said Harvey.

At the top of the leaderboard, Elvira also took advantage of the calmer morning conditions and produced a bogey-free 66 which he closed off with three consecutive birdies over the final three holes.

“It’s always nice to start the season with a low round. It’s completely different golf here now in South Africa compared with Spain in the winter. I’ve come from four or five degrees Celsius to 25 degrees. But I’ve always liked playing in the heat because you don’t have to wear layers of clothes. It’s a big adjustment but it’s nice,” he said.

England’s Bradley Bawden joined Harvey with a round of 67. Former Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open champions Brandon Stone and Benjamin Follett-Smith both started well with rounds of four-under-par 68, while another pair of former champions in Rhys Enoch and Jacques Kruyswijk are five strokes off the lead.

It was certainly a case of the morning field having a distinct advantage. But as Harvey explained, it was also a surprise to tee off at a windstill Royal Cape.

“When you tee off so early and it’s calm, it’s almost a shock to the system. It can be tough because you’re so used to playing in the breeze here and playing those punch shots. So I felt like I needed to take advantage early on.

“When the wind picked up, there were a couple of tough flags tucked behind corners and downwind, and I just felt they really weren’t flags to go for. I just stayed within myself and kept telling myself that it’s not a bad thing to play for the middle of the green and keep the round together. I managed my game really well. On the holes where I could attack, I did. I feel like the course suits me with the demand on accuracy off the tee.”

The opening day was also a rewarding one for England’s Alfie Plant who scored the first hole-in-one of this year’s tournament on the par-three 13^th on his way to a four-under-par 68. – Michael Vlismas

CAPE TOWN – The Sunshine Tour tees off its first tournament of 2023 in this week’s Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open at the Royal Cape Golf Club. It marks the start of a four-week stretch of tournaments co-sanctioned with the European Challenge Tour, and with South Africa’s Dylan Mostert amongst those looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunity on offer.

The left hander finished off 2022 with finishes of 18^th in the Joburg Open and fourth in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, both co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour. That was on the back of a ninth-place finish in the South African PGA Championship.

It’s a run of form that’s lifted him into sixth place on the Sunshine Tour’s Luno Order of Merit, and he’s looking to build on this momentum, starting in Cape Town this week.

“I can’t wait for these next four weeks. I’m excited and ready to go. I had some good time off after a very long stretch towards the end of last year. I think the most pleasing aspect of my form has been the consistency. I’ve worked very hard to become more consistent during tournaments and in different conditions and on different golf courses. It’s been really pleasing for me to see that paying off,” said Mostert.

A number of South African professionals have recently used the Sunshine Tour’s partnership with the Challenge Tour to take their careers to the next level and ultimately secure a place on the main DP World Tour.

Mostert’s game has been on the rise ever since he broke through with his maiden Sunshine Tour victory in the KitKat Group Pro-Am last June, and he’s certainly aware of the reward if he does well over this four-week stretch.

“I’ve put myself in a nice position and I’ll just keep my head focused on my goals and keep pushing forward,” he said.

The historic Royal Cape Golf Club also suits his eye.

“This is just a great golf course. You’ve got to be good off the tee here. I’ve been hitting my driver well so hopefully that plays in my favour. But it’s just a great golf course that tests all aspects of your game, and then you can add the wind to that. It will be a good test.”

Jaco Prinsloo, currently ranked fourth on the Sunshine Tour Luno Order of Merit, is equally excited about what this next four weeks will bring, especially after his ninth-place finish in last December’s Investec South African Open.

“I have goals and things I want to accomplish, but I’m taking it one step at a time and just trying to do my job every day. Expectation can be a dangerous word. I feel like if I just do the basics well then the goals and results should follow. So I’m just keeping it simple.”

This week’s tournament also marks the start of the Sunshine Tour’s new competition offering golf fans the opportunity to test their skills and see if they can beat a professional in a par-three shootout under tournament conditions.

Any golf fan over the age of 18 can enter by purchasing a ticket to attend one of 10 selected Sunshine Tour events, including this week’s Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open. And then 10 lucky fans will be selected to take on the professionals on the par-three eighth hole at Royal Cape Golf Club during Sunday’s final round, and see if they can finish closest to the pin. The winner earns a place in the grand final at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open later this year, where the overall champion will win an all-expenses paid trip to the Major of his or her choice in 2024.
– Michael Vlismas

SA Tourism has joined the list of exclusive partners to the Sunshine Tour and will tee off this relationship during the upcoming international Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournaments in South Africa, beginning with this week’s Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open at Royal Cape Golf Club.

As the official tourism marketing division of the South African government, SA Tourism’s partnership brings a significant enhancement to the already extensive positioning of South Africa on the global stage through the Sunshine Tour schedule and its international tournaments on the Challenge Tour and DP World Tour, with a broadcast reach of millions of homes worldwide.

The Sunshine Tour supports the tourism objectives of SA Tourism through the weekly exposure of hundreds of professional golfers, caddies and their families to the country and which in turn stimulates the local economy in communities where tournaments are played.

“The Sunshine Tour is a major driver of tourism and awareness of South Africa and its wonders through our nationwide tournaments and extensive international broadcast reach at our flagship events. Every week our tournaments showcase another incredible part of South Africa, from our major cities and world-class golf courses to our rich natural wonders,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

“The partnership with SA Tourism completes this offering and we look forward to helping them promote South Africa as not only a tourism destination, but also a leading sports destination.”:

Photo: Sunshine Tour professional Jake Roos at this week’s Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open. Roos won the inaugural tournament in 2012. Credit: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour.

CAPE TOWN – Springbok rugby legend Francois Pienaar echoed the sentiments of all who took part in the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open Pro-Am on Tuesday against the backdrop of the magnificent Table Mountain and under brilliant blue skies at Royal Cape Golf Club, as he sang the praises of a city he calls home.

“I love this place. It has so much to offer,” said Pienaar as he joined a host of other luminaries in the pro-am before Thursday’s first round of this Sunshine Tour and Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament, which has drawn an international field of 156 professionals.

“Early this morning, my wife and I went for a walk on the promenade, then up the glen and back over Lion’s Head – it’s just stunningly beautiful. Then to drive out here to play golf on a magnificent golf course ahead of what is looking like it’s going to be a fantastic tournament again this year is a privilege. I don’t take it for granted. I feel absolutely blessed.”

It was a feeling shared by Welshman Rhys Enoch, a former Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open champion.

“Cape Town is a special place for anyone, really. As I drove from the airport yesterday I was thinking that this is my ninth time here and every time it still feels just as incredible driving in and seeing Table Mountain. The weather is fantastic, and this old golf course is beautiful and in exceptional condition this year. It’s just a special vibe here for everyone. All the golfers are always excited about what the city offers. The whole event is special.”

For Sunshine Tour professional Jaco Prinsloo, who has travelled the world over the past few months, Cape Town represents a kind of homecoming for him.

“It’s a beautiful place and it’s always lovely to be here. The golf course is in great condition and it’s just always a treat coming to Cape Town. The last couple of months I’ve travelled all over the world and it’s just so nice to come back here. It’s not my home in South Africa but it just feels like home. You hear Afrikaans and it’s just a beautiful place. I love coming here.”

It’s the kind of feedback that puts a smile on the face of Councillor Mzwahke Nqavashe, the City of Cape Town Portfolio Chairperson, Safety and Security.

“Cape Town is welcoming. It’s named the Mother City for a reason. It’s welcoming and warm. This is the second year of our three-year agreement with this tournament and our investment is yielding results. This is an international tournament that contributes so much to our economic growth with the high quality of players its brings here. Through its broadcast reach we are watched all over the world. The City of Cape Town is competing with the best cities in the world, and through hosting major international sports events it shows that Cape Town has that event pedigree and can lead the way.” – Michael Vlismas

• Springbok rugby legend Francois Pienaar was amongst the luminaries who took part in the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open Pro-Am at the Royal Cape Golf Club on Tuesday. Credit: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour.

If you think you’re better than the pros, now is the time to prove it.

The Sunshine Tour is offering golf fans a unique opportunity to prove you’re as good as you think you are and take on the professionals in a par-three shootout at any one of 10 official Sunshine Tour events on the schedule for the chance to win a trip to the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and then the ultimate prize of an all-expenses paid trip to one of golf’s four Majors in 2024.

That’s a once-in-a-lifetime shot at golf glory against an elite professional in a Sunshine Tour event.

Any golf fan over the age of 18 can enter by purchasing a ticket on the Sunshine Tour website for one of the 10 qualifying tournaments.

And then you need to Beat the Pro in a closest to the pin challenge on a par three. In tournament conditions. Under tournament pressure.

There will be 10 aspiring stars competing in each event, which will take place during the fourth round of each Sunshine Tour tournament. Did we mention the in-tournament pressure?

If none of the 10 amateurs manages to beat the professional, then the closest to the pin amongst the 10 amateurs will win that event and an all-expenses paid VIP trip for two to the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, where you will again compete against the other nine champions for the ultimate prize of a trip to attend a Major in 2024.

So golf fans, glove up, pitch up, and show us what you’ve got against the best on the Sunshine Tour.

To enter go to www.sunshinetour.com

JOHANNESBURG – South African golf came together to recognise one of its greats at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on Sunday as professionals and amateurs celebrated the incredible contribution Denis Hutchinson has made to the game.

The annual Denis Hutchinson Challenge once again brought together professional golfers from the Sunshine Tour, Sunshine Ladies Tour and PGA of South Africa and amateurs from GolfRSA and the South African Golf Development Board to compete as teams in a celebration of Hutchinson’s career as a golfer and a broadcaster.

The team of Ivanna Samu, Nikhil Rama, Kael Strydom and Gregory Jacobs took top honours with 89 points on the West Course.

Hutchinson had multiple victories on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour in his playing career, including famously being the last amateur to have won the Investec South African Open Championship in 1959. Amongst his many accolades, Hutchinson has been recognised with Lifetime Membership of the Sunshine Tour and as Honorary Life President of the PGA of South Africa.

“Hutchy has been such a wonderful ambassador for South African golf for decades now, both as a player who competed with some of the greats of the game, and then as a commentator who became known as ‘The Voice of Golf’. It’s an honour for all of us in the family of South African golf to come together on a day such as this and take the time to recognise the immense contribution he has made to the game we all love,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

Winning Team Photo (from left to right): Nikhil Rama, Kael Strydom, Denis Hutchinson, Ivanna Samu and Gregory Jacobs at the prizegiving of the Denis Hutchinson Challenge at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on Sunday. Credit: Tyrone Winfield.

MONT CHOISY LE GOLF, Mauritius – Frenchman Antoine Rozner claimed his third DP World Tour title with a record five-stroke victory in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf on Sunday.

Rozner took a two-stroke lead into the final round and closed with a 67 on another windy day on the island to win on 19 under par and with the biggest margin of victory in the six editions of this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event.

“It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t dream of a better way to finish the year. It’s amazing. It felt like playing at home to be honest. The crowds here were amazing. It was an unbelievable week,” said Rozner, who in 2019 lost a playoff for this title.

Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia took second place on 14 under par with a final round of 67, while fellow Frenchman Julien Brun finished third on 12 under par following a closing 72.

Rozner withstood an early challenge from Garcia-Heredia who birdied three of his first five holes to close to within a shot of the Frenchman, who made only one birdie through the same stretch.

But when Rozner made eagle on the par-five seventh, and then birdied the eighth and ninth holes to earn himself a five-stroke lead at the turn, it was effectively over as a contest. He bogeyed the 17^th but finished with a birdie on 18.

“I played solid all week. My first nine holes was one of my best nines ever. To play that front nine, the harder nine, in five under made a massive difference. I didn’t know the scores and I just tried to stay focused in the moment. I started missing a few shots here and there coming but I had a big enough lead to get it done,” he said.

“Winning is very hard, so this is huge. It tests your mind and your game and I was very emotional at the end. We work so hard for this and to get it done is amazing.”

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics. – Michael Vlismas

MONT CHOISY LE GOLF, Mauritius – Frenchman Antoine Rozner will take a two-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at battling his way through a tough third round at Mont Choisy Le Golf.

Playing in a three-club wind, Rozner overcame a bogey-bogey start and fought his way back to a very respectable 68 and the tournament lead on 14 under par.

“Yeah, it was tough out there. It was blowing a lot more than the previous days. The long game was tough and the putting was even worse so I struggled,” said Rozner, who in 2019 lost this title in playoff and is back as a two-time DP World Tour winner and also chasing a place in the European Ryder Cup team.

“I had a big birdie putt on the fourth that helped me a lot. It helped me to get the round going. I was very solid after that. I feel like I missed a lot of opportunities but I still shot four under. In these conditions that was pretty good. Now we have one more round to go.”

His nearest challenger is fellow Frenchman Julien Brun, who posted a 67 and was equally delighted with his performance on a very challenging day.

“I’m very pleased with my patience out there because I struggled at the start. It was crazy tricky out there. Downwind your pitching wedge flies and you still have to assess the bounce on the greens, and these greens have big slopes on them. And then into the wind it was at least a three-club wind. It was tough mentally,” he said.

South Africa’s Oliver Bekker is in third place on 11 under par following a third round of 70, and a maiden DP World Tour victory on Sunday would be a tremendous reward for a golfer who has certainly paid his dues globally this year in securing himself a card.

“I played pretty solid. I didn’t make too many mistakes and I’m feeling good about the final round. This is the kind of golf course where you can make quite a few birdies. If you can get off to a good start and put the guys under pressure you’re in with a good chance. We’ve seen 62s and 64s here this week so even if it’s windy you can still get a good score out there. It’s going to be nice to be a few back and be able to play a bit more aggressive, and see how it pans out.”

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics.

MONT CHOISY LE GOLF, Mauritius – Frenchman Antoine Rozner joined a three-way tie for the lead going into the weekend of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as he seeks to claim a title that he was denied in a playoff the last time it was played in 2019.

On a windy day that brought out a completely different side to the Mont Choisy Le Golf course, Rozner signed for a sublime 64 to share the lead with Finland’s Sami Välimäki and Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia on 10 under par. Välimäki, who set the course record with a 62 in the first round, was frustrated with his second round 72, while Garcia-Heredia posted a solid 66 to join the leaders.

They are all one stroke clear of South Africa’s Oliver Bekker, who carded a 71 on Friday.

Rozner was understandably delighted with his performance on a very tricky day.

“I think this is one of the first times in my career where I am happy with every single score on every hole. That doesn’t happen a lot. I don’t think I could score any better on this golf course today,” said the man who in 2019 lost in a playoff to Rasmus Højgaard but who returns as a vastly different golfer with two DP World Tour victories since then.

“It was tricky and tough out there, so I’m really pleased with the way I played. I always missed on the right side and my chipping was great as well. It was tough, especially with the side winds. You had to aim so far right and left with those winds. My putting was also very solid. I’m happy with everything.”

Mauritius certainly suits Rozner and he’s relishing how the island enhances his game. “I like this place. Once you’re off the course you completely disconnect and cannot think about golf. That suits me well.”

Välimäki didn’t get what he was hoping for from his second round and felt his putter was to blame. “It was pretty bad really. We made four easy mistakes and couldn’t make any putts. I just didn’t make putts and had bad chips. I’m still playing good golf but I just need to make those birdies,” he said.

And Garcia-Heredia was thrilled to share the lead as he looks to match the big-game fishing success he’s had on the island by hooking a trophy as well this week.

“I am loving the fishing in Mauritius. The fishing always relaxes me. I’ve caught sea trout, barracuda, a 40kg tuna, kingfish and a few others. Now I have to play some golf. But I enjoyed it a lot out there. It was fun. It was windy, but it was a fair wind. It was always from the same direction, so you just had to adjust for the intensity of the wind. I’m pretty much happy with everything in my game at the moment. I played really solid these first two rounds. I went to see a putting coach because last year wasn’t good, and my putting has improved a lot. I have a good local caddie this week and he knows the greens, so I’m following his advice and it’s going well.”

The 2022 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has also drawn a glittering array of blue-chip sponsors including Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mont Choisy Group, Jaguar, Rogers, Heritage Resorts, IBL, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), 3G Mobile, Phoenix Beverages, Air Mauritius, Mautourco, Fenix XCell Apparel, Hertz, Jacobs, C-Care, Emtel, PRO CARTS, IT Solvz, Häagen-Dazs and Dragon Electronics.