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12th March 2024

Pros team up with Jonsson Workwear as they go from reading greens to support reading in rural schools

JOHANNESBURG – Professional golfers read a lot of yardages. They read greens. They even read the weather. But quite a few of them are also very much at home reading a book, and they were more than happy to support the Rally to Read initiative at the Jonsson Workwear Open at Glendower Golf Club last week.

As part of Jonsson Workwear’s Birdies for Purpose, every birdie, eagle or albatross the professionals made in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event saw the company donate R100, R500 and R1000 respectively to its official tournament charity – Rally to Read.

A total of R262 000 was raised, with the cheque handed over to Alupheli Sithebe, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rally to Read National Steering Committee.

Rally to Read was launched in 1998 as a public-private partnership to help improve the language, literacy and communication skills of learners at selected disadvantaged primary schools in remote rural areas following an international survey of 43 countries in which South Africa finished last with 81% of the country’s Grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning in any language.

“Jonsson Workwear have been critical to the programme. The consistency of their support allows the ongoing long-term partnerships that the schools need. It’s hard to change the capacity of a school in a year to elevate their literacy capabilities, so having the consistency of support from Jonsson Workwear means we are able to see that process through,” said Sithebe.

Jonsson Workwear’s support has helped the initiative reach 925 schools, 15 000 teachers and 620 000 learners. This year alone, 60 schools, 22 096 learners and 564 teachers will benefit from Rally to Ready support.

“We’ve been involved with Rally to Read for over 20 years, and several years ago we became the lead sponsor. It’s an incredible initiative and there is such a dire need for it in our country. We thought this was another way we could highlight the amazing work they do and assist them with funding, and we’re thrilled to have done that this year,” said Nick Jonsson, Chairman and CEO of Jonsson Workwear.

It’s an initiative Sunshine Tour professional Peter Karmis can relate to as one of the most avid readers on Tour.

“I generally read at tournaments. I find it gives me something to look forward to. I’ll even read during rain delays. It also helped me a lot when I played in Asia. Reading is essential. You gain knowledge and perspective.”

In terms of his own reading preferences, Karmis says he’s focused on fiction at the moment.

“I’m reading a lot of novels at the moment. I love non-fiction but 12 months ago I decided to read novels. I was inspired by my daughters who go to the library all the time and come home with 13 books. I’m currently reading the Italian author Valerio Manfredi. And I’ll be honest, I love the Jack Reacher books. The problem with the Reacher books is that I get too into them. So at a tournament in Zimbabwe, one night I was reading this really tense part and I kept reading. I think I only got about three hours sleep that night, which is not great for tournament preparation but I loved it.”

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10th March 2024

Manassero claims fairytale win in dark at Jonsson Workwear Open

JOHANNESBURG – Matteo Manassero marked his return to the DP World Tour winner’s circle in a dramatic victory befitting of the journey he has been on over the past 11 years when he won the Jonsson Workwear Open in the dark at Glendower Golf Club on Sunday.

With a late weather delay putting the finish of the Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned tournament in doubt, play resumed at 18:00 and Manassero completed a finish of four straight birdies for a 66 and a three-stroke victory on 26 under par.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s wonderful to experience these emotions again on a golf course,” said Manassero, whose journey from golf prodigy to the wilderness of the game and then back again is one of the great fairytales in the game.

“It’s incredible. It’s really difficult to put into words. I’m definitely proud of what I’ve been through. But I also don’t want to look at the past and the tougher times. I want to enjoy the moment. To finish like I did was incredible. I’ve been through a lot of emotions and it seems like it was written somewhere that after the restart I would finish with two more birdies.

“When the final putt went in you kind of have a drop in emotions that build up over the past few days. It feels so good to relieve those moments. That’s what we practice for,” he said as he delivered his winning speech in the dark, but with a smile that truly lit up the 18th green.

South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence (63), Shaun Norris (68) and England’s Jordan Smith (68) shared second place on 23 under par.

For Nick Jonsson, Chairman and CEO of Jonsson Workwear, this was indeed a fairytale victory worthy of their investment in the game.

“We’ve loved our association with golf and it’s a huge honour to partner with the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour. Anything we are involved with has to echo our own values as a company, and our involvement with golf has been good for us,” he said. Michael Vlismas.

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9th March 2024

Manassero chasing dream win in Jonsson Workwear Open

JOHANNESBURG – Matteo Manassero held his nerve and the lead on another low-scoring day at the Jonsson Workwear Open and will head into Sunday’s final round chasing his first DP World Tour title in 11 years.

The Italian signed for a third round of 67 that was briefly interrupted by a weather delay and heads the field on 20 under par.

His nearest challengers are South Africa’s Shaun Norris and England’s Jordan Smith on 19 under par following their respective rounds of 65 in this Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

And the leaderboard remains tight thereafter with South Africa’s Oliver Bekker and Spain’s Angel Hidalgo just two shots behind Manassero.

Manassero did a superb job of keeping his emotions in check following his stunning 61 on Friday, and even after a bogey at the third he showed the hard mental work he has done to go from golf prodigy early in his career and then battle through a long slump to get to this moment again.

“It was good today. I hit a bad shot on three but it’s never easy in the beginning of the round. This course requires a lot of precision off the tee. After that bogey I did my things right and it was one of those days I allowed myself to get into the rhythm and started playing better as the round went on,” he said.

Manassero is of course keenly aware of what a story his victory on Sunday would represent in golf, but is doing his utmost to focus on the present.

“It would mean a lot to win. But it is already a nice journey up to today. We’ll think about tomorrow tomorrow. It’s really difficult to close tournaments out and win. I’m in a position I’m really happy to be in and all I can do is not force anything or feel like I must do something tomorrow. I’ll just be myself and play golf. I’m sure of the things I do, and you never know what golf will bring you. There are a lot of things not under my control that will happen tomorrow so I’ll just play my game,” he said.

Just one shot behind him, Norris leads the South African challenge. He had a putt on the final green when the siren sounded for the weather delay. Unfortunately he returned to make bogey, but he isn’t letting that distract him from the challenge of Sunday.

“A delay will always have an impact, but it happens. Overall I’m pleased with the day and where I am. I’m hitting the ball well and putting well. Patience will be key on Sunday. If I can go out there and give myself maybe 15-20 foot chances on every hole I’ve got a good opportunity,” said Norris. Michael Vlismas.

The four-day Jonsson Workwear Open is televised live on SuperSport.

Spectators can purchase tickets to the Jonsson Workwear Open online at www.sunshinetour.com

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8th March 2024

Magical Matteo shoots 61 to lead Jonsson Workwear Open

JOHANNESBURG – In the City of Gold, Matteo Manassero struck gold on the fairways of Glendower Golf Club and stunned the Jonsson Workwear Open field with a magnificent 11-under-par 61 to earn himself a one-stroke lead heading into the weekend of this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event.

Manassero responded to a perfect day primed for something special as he went out in 28 on the back nine – including two eagles – and then came home in 33 with not a single bogey on his card for the lowest round of his professional career, earning him the lead on 15 under par.

“It was fun. It was one of those days when golf gives you a lot more than you deserve,” he said of one of the lowest rounds ever posted on the venerable Glendower layout, although not an official course record because of preferred lies.

“It’s amazing, and to do it on this golf course which is one of the main ones in South Africa is really special,” he said.

His nearest challenger is South Africa’s Oliver Bekker on 14 under following a second consecutive 65, and he’s followed by Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin (64) and the Spanish duo of Angel Hidalgo (64) and Ivan Cantero (67) on 13 under.

But Friday belonged to Manassero who admitted that at one point he started to think about the magical 59.

“Yes, I definitely did. I was trying to give myself a chance. I had two birdie chances – one was really close but it was a tricky putt. You can’t get everything. But I did think about 59 and the fact that I even thought about it means a lot. I’ve never even come close to that number, so it was fantastic. It was a perfect round.”

The confidence this round has brought him as he’s been on his well-publicised journey back onto the DP World Tour cannot be underestimated.

“The fact that I managed to get back on the DP World Tour already shows that I did a lot of good work, but I don’t want to look too much into the past. I get confidence for myself out of what I’ve done to get back onto the DP World Tour, but that’s about it. We look ahead, and then we have days like these – hopefully more than just once in a lifetime. But we also have bad days so we need to stay focused on getting better. Whatever Tour you’re playing, it’s never easy. The fact that I’m back here makes me proud. But I want to look ahead now and get better.”

Behind him, Bekker foresees a birdie-packed weekend.

“If you look at the scores so far, 15-under-par through two rounds is leading so there are plenty of birdies out there. You need to keep pushing. You can’t play too safe,” said the South African. Michael Vlismas.

The four-day Jonsson Workwear Open is televised live on SuperSport.

Spectators can purchase tickets to the Jonsson Workwear Open online at www.sunshinetour.com

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‘Iron and Grit’ earns Davidse share of Jonsson Workwear Open lead

The tagline for the 2024 Jonsson Workwear Open is “Iron and Grit”. South Africa’s Keenan Davidse has had to show exactly this as he’s worked through an extremely difficult time in his personal life, but ended Thursday’s first round of this tournament a content man both inside and outside the ropes.

Davidse signed for an eight-under-par 64 at Glendower Golf Club to share the lead with Spain’s Ivan Cantero. They are one stroke clear of a strong South African challenge including Thriston Lawrence, Oliver Bekker and Louis de Jager, with the in-form Robin Williams just two shots back.

Davidse was delighted with his start in this Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned tournament, and spoke with a sense of relief at feeling a balance in his life and game again.

“I’m on a good foot again. We’ve had some personal challenges as a family and it’s been tough, but we’ve overcome it. That’s my motivation at the moment – my wife and my kids. We all know it’s a tough life out on tour. Golf can bring you down. But with my family and my golf I’m in a good space, and I think that’s what’s motivating me,” said Davidse.

The South African is no stranger to leading a DP World Tour co-sanctioned event, having also done so in the 2017 Joburg Open. But it’s a lesson he learnt last week, where he finished tied 16th in the SDC Championship, that he’s tried to bring into his game here.

“I made 27 birdies last week to finish 16th. I made nine birdies today and one bogey, so I told myself if you limit the bogeys you can score because I make enough birdies,” he said.

Behind him lies the experience of multiple DP World Tour winner Lawrence, who was equally pleased with one of his best opening rounds of late.

“I just had a great day. I had fun and stayed patient and it worked out pretty nicely. I don’t think I’ve shot seven under in a first round in a while. To be up there on day one really helps me. I know I’m good over a weekend, but it’s important if you want to win to go low on day one.”

And on six under par, Williams finds himself in contention for a maiden DP World Tour title for the second week in succession after losing a playoff for last week’s SDC Championship.

“I had time to reflect on last week. This week is a new week on a course I enjoy so I’m looking forward to it. I feel this golf course suits me. Getting so close last week shows that what I’m working on is right and hopefully it’s just a matter of time.” – Michael Vlismas.

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7th March 2024

Moller makes his mark for Birdies for Rhinos

Birdies for Rhinos, the vision of Sunshine Tour professional Justin Walters in aid of rhino conservation, celebrated its latest champion ahead of this week’s Jonsson Workwear Open at Glendower Golf Club.

Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard Moller added his name to the spectacular rhino trophy after making 417 birdies last year. The money raised by the professionals is donated to Connected Conservation in aid of rhino conversation.

“It feels really good to make a difference,” said Moller.

“I’m from Denmark so I’m far away from where this is all happening, but animals have always been close to my heart and this was an initiative where  I could not just talk about making a difference but actually do something. I feel very proud to be part of it.”

Walters was delighted to hand over the trophy to Moller.

“Niklas is a wonderful player and the rhinos are very happy he’s on board with us. He also the prize to Sabi Sands Game Reserve,” Walters said of an initiative he remains extremely proud of.

“It’s about raising money and awareness for the plight of rhinos. It’s a small part that the professionals on the various tours make. They donate money for every birdie they make in the year and we pool the money and hand it over to Connected Conservation, who have made wonderful strides in protecting wildlife around the world. It started as something small and its gathering momentum now. Tommy Fleetwood came on board last year and he’s brought a lot of clout with him.”

Bruce “Doc” Watson, the Executive Chairman of the Connected Conservation Foundation, also praised the work of the professionals in supporting their cause.

“It’s making a big impact. We now cover 29 reserves primarily in Africa and the East, and this makes a dramatic difference in the work we do.”

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6th March 2024

Jonsson Workwear Open adds to Major opportunities for Sunshine Tour pros

JOHANNESBURG – This week’s Jonsson Workwear Open at Glendower Golf Club has taken on even greater significance with the announcement by The R&A of its exemption categories for The 152nd Open at Royal Troon in July.

A new exemption will offer players competing on the Sunshine Tour, Asian Tour, the Japan Golf Tour, and the PGA Tour of Australasia the opportunity to qualify through the International Federation Ranking list. The leading five golfers on the International Federation Ranking list as of the closing date of entries will be awarded places in The Open. This would include the winner of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy who has met the qualification criteria of tournaments played on the Sunshine Tour and who is also currently not exempt for The Open.

The Jonsson Workwear Open is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour and is the final such co-sanctioned tournament of the current Sunshine Tour season, and therefore another vital opportunity for this week’s field to try and secure a place in The Open.

The Joburg Open offers another opportunity as part of the Official Qualifying Series for The Open. The Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour alliance provides another pathway to The Open through the top 30 on the final Race to Dubai Ranking for 2023.

The added exemption category announced this week is another major endorsement of the opportunities that exist on the Sunshine Tour through events such as the Jonsson Workwear Open.

“You see so many players on the Sunshine Tour getting onto the main DP World Tour and winning and going on to do really well. The Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour alliance is a great pathway for the Sunshine Tour professionals. Obviously the standard here is really good. The courses are also always good in South Africa,” said English professional Jordan Smith.

“It’s massive,” added South Africa’s Robin Williams, who has been challenging for a maiden DP World Tour title in these co-sanctioned tournaments of late.

“It first comes down to the Sunshine Tour and the product they give us as players each week. That prepares our game for the next level in the co-sanctioned tournaments. There have been players on the Sunshine Tour this season that have also done really well in DP World Tour events.”

The four-day Jonsson Workwear Open will be televised live on SuperSport.

Spectators can purchase tickets to the Jonsson Workwear Open online at www.sunshinetour.com

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5th March 2024

Jonsson Workwear Open and Glendower GC bring back fond memories for pros

JOHANNESBURG – The Jonsson Workwear Open and Glendower Golf Club hold fond memories for several of the professionals competing in this week’s Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour event, which is also the final co-sanctioned tournament in South Africa this season.

Germany’s Nick Bachem returns as the defending champion after making his DP World Tour breakthrough with victory in this event last year, when it was played at Steyn City.

“I’m super excited to be back even if it’s a different golf course. But having had a look at Glendower it looks pretty nice. It feels good to come back to a tournament where you have a positive feeling and I’ll be trying to repeat it,” said Bachem.

He comes into this week in good form after finishing tied fourth in last week’s SDC Championship.

“I’ve had a great season with so many good things to learn. I played nice last week so I’ve got a lot of confidence coming into this week. But my focus is still the same as it was last year when I won – play golf and have fun,” he said.

South Africa’s Robin Williams also had good memories as he drove through the Glendower Golf Club gates, having won his first Sunshine Tour title here in the Fortress Invitational last October.

“You have to play well around this course. There is no hiding here. It’s definitely a driver golf course – if you drive the ball well you can score. That’s what worked for me when I won here last year – my driving was good,” said Williams.

He returns to Glendower having narrowly lost a playoff for a maiden DP World Tour title in last week’s SDC Championship, but still confident about the week to come.

“There are a lot of positives from last week. Yes it was a shame I couldn’t get the job done, but my time will come. I’m playing good consistent golf and I’m happy to be back at a golf course that suits me and where I’ve had success.”

And England’s Jordan Smith is back at a golf course where he finished third in the 2017 BMW South African Open, missing out by only one shot on a spot in the playoff between Rory McIlroy and Graeme Storm.

“That was back in 2017 but it only feels like yesterday. It’s great being back and enjoying those good memories. This is a challenging golf course off the tee. You hit a lot of driver here and it can get pretty narrow in places. The wind that blew in the pro-am could be interesting, especially for us Europeans getting used to the altitude here in Johannesburg.”

This is the third edition of a tournament that has travelled to some of South Africa’s leading golf courses, starting with Durban Country Club then Steyn City and now Glendower Golf Club.

“We are delighted to bring the third edition of the tournament to the highly rated Glendower Golf Club and look forward to building on the success of our two previous events. We’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome world-class golf talent and spectators to another showcase of fantastic golf set against the backdrop of the beautiful Glendower Golf Club. And of course, an opportunity for us to promote peak performance on and off the course. As always, we value the time we get to spend here in Gauteng where we operate nine of our stores and our state-of-the-art Distribution Centre,” said the Chairman and CEO of Jonsson Workwear, Nick Jonsson.

“The Jonsson Workwear Open has been an immensely valuable addition to our schedule of DP World Tour co-sanctioned events. This year signifies another important milestone for this tournament as it will be played at a championship layout such as Glendower that holds an illustrious place in South African golf, having witnessed some of the finest moments in Sunshine Tour history. It’s a privilege for us as the Sunshine Tour to work with a brand that is equally forward-thinking and focused on the kind of excellence that golf in this country represents, and which helps us in taking the message that #GreatnessBeginsHere to the world,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

The four-day tournament will be televised live on SuperSport.

Spectators can purchase tickets to the Jonsson Workwear Open online at www.sunshinetour.com

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3rd March 2024

Emotional playoff victory for Gumberg in SDC Championship

ST FRANCIS BAY (Eastern Cape) – America’s Jordan Gumberg claimed a thrilling victory in the SDC Championship at St Francis Links on Sunday when he beat South Africa’s Robin Williams in a playoff.

Gumberg and Williams finished regulation play tied for the lead on 12 under par following their respective final rounds of 68 and 69.

On a day when the wind of the previous three days gave way to rain, Williams had seemed destined to claim the victory as he held a two-shot lead over the American with two holes to play.

However, the South African found the greenside bunker on the par-three 17th and made a double bogey from a plugged lie to slip back into a tie for the lead with Gumberg.

They both parred the par-four 18th as the first playoff hole. Gumberg then birdied the hole on the second attempt to claim his maiden DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour title.

“I’m so thankful to be standing here,” said Gumberg at the end of a dramatic final round.

“Coming down the last couple of holes there is always a point where it feels like it’s slipped away from you. It felt like that for me. So I’m just thankful to be standing here.”

Frenchman David Ravetto took third place on 10 under par with a final round of 70.

The win changes Gumberg’s plans significantly. Before this he was a European Challenge Tour golfer unable to plan his schedule.

“It means everything. I never really got this far in my dreams. It’s what we work so hard for every single day. To my family back home – my dad has put so much into my golf game. It means the world to all of us,” he said while holding back the tears. – Michael Vlismas

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2nd March 2024

Syme and Brown tied at the top in SDC Championship

ST FRANCIS BAY (Eastern Cape) – Scotland’s Connor Syme and England’s Daniel Brown will take a two-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round of the SDC Championship at St Francis Links, with Robin Williams leading the lone South African challenge two strokes off the lead.

On another day when the wind made for a few extra conversations between player and caddie, Syme controlled his ball flight superbly as he signed for a third round of 67. Alongside him, Brown went into the round with a three-stroke lead and birdied the first to suggest it was going to be all his day. But two bogeys on the front nine and then a difficult stretch of three bogeys in four holes from the turn brought him back to the field. He fought back with three birdies thereafter for a solid 72. They both lead on 11 under par.

Syme summed up just how difficult the changing winds here are when he said, “It’s like playing a different golf course entirely”.

Yet he managed it superbly as he put himself in a position to finally claim a DP World Tour victory after coming close several times. It was a round in which he also won himself a four-night MSC luxury cruise as part of the Sunshine Tour’s Beat the Pro competition, offering amateurs the chance to see if they can hit it closer to the pros in their group on the par-three 15th. With no amateur able to do so, Syme earned the prize as the closest pro on the hole.

“I putted really nicely today. It’s always tricky in the breeze to judge your pace but I did that well today. It was also all about controlling your ball flight and you’ve got to shape your ball both ways around here. I’m really happy with how I did that today.”

Syme, who finished in the top 20 in this event last year, said he’s under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits on Sunday.

“The conditions are so tricky and there are so many great golfers here that it’s going to be tight until the finish on Sunday. But I was here last year and earmarked it as having another go at it this year. It’s a very similar links challenge to back home in Scotland. I’m taking it as it comes and looking forward to the challenge.”

England’s Andy Sullivan, American James Nicholas and South Africa’s Williams are their nearest challengers on nine under par. Williams had worked himself to within one shot of the lead before a bogey at the last. – Michael Vlismas