Category: Featured News

STELLENBOSCH, Western Cape – Zander Lombard took another positive step in his comeback when he opened with a seven-under-par 64 highlighted by an albatross to lead Friday’s first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf at the Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate.

Lombard only returned to competitive golf in February this year following a near 10-month layoff after a knee injury and surgery.

But on a magnificent day in the Cape winelands he looked quite at home at the top of the leaderboard following a round that featured an albatross on the par-five 11^th.

“The albatross definitely boosted the round. It was such a perfect three wood hit just straight at the flag and which landed about nine metres short of the flag and trickled in. It was cool to see. It’s not every day that happens, and it’s great to have happened on day one of this tournament,” he said.

He leads by two strokes over Altin van der Merwe, and with a strong group of players including Keenan Davidse, George Coetzee, Stephen Ferreira and Yurav Premlall all just three strokes off the lead.

Gabrielle Venter is the leading Sunshine Ladies Tour professional after her opening round of two-under-par 69.

Lombard’s start was a big confidence boost as he continues to build his way back in the game following his injury.

“Since I had my 10 months off with my knee injury it’s been weird. I’ve been lacking a bit of consistency. But I’ve always felt like I’ve been playing well and just not scoring. To have a low round and get that confidence up, and to see the ball going in the hole and posting a good score is really nice. It seems like it’s all coming together at the right time now towards the end of the year and with some big tournaments to come.”

It’s also quite apt that Lombard should be hitting form in this tournament. His lone Sunshine Tour victory to date came on the 2018 Vodacom Origins of Golf series.

“The Vodacom Origins of Golf series really boosted my career. I’ve always enjoyed these events. They look after the players well and the pro-am before the events are always fun. Vodacom has been part of the Sunshine Tour for so many years and I love what they do for the Tour and for South African golf.” – Michael Vlismas

In the highly professional and technical world of modern golf, the 70-year-old Isaac Mahoney is a rare breed.

In his world, there isn’t too much use for digital devices, technological aids or complicated teaching drills to build what many consider to be the perfect golf swing.

As a golf coach for the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) since its inception in 1999, he’s used anything from an old duvet hung on his wife’s washing line to a broomstick to even the action of drinking a cooldrink to help teach the hundreds of underprivileged kids he’s helped discover golf.

And that’s because Mahoney isn’t looking to create the perfect golf swing. Rather, he’s looking to use golf to help create an almost perfect life for these children.

“Golf is the reward. The end result of whether they become superstars in the game doesn’t matter to me, just as long as these kids starting playing golf. I don’t care whether they are A Division, B Division or C Division champions. I just want them playing golf,” Mahoney said on the driving range at Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate on Thursday during a golf clinic for the SAGDB golfers with the Sunshine Tour professionals competing in this week’s Vodacom Origins of Golf tournament.

Mahoney’s simple approach to golf is borne from the simple and uncomplicated manner in which he first discovered the game.

“I grew up in Worcester. There was a golf course in what we called the township, and I lived behind it. Naturally I was a caddie. I always joke that golf estates are not a new thing in South Africa. We had golf estates back then already. We used to make clubs out of wire and then bend the face open or closed to create the different lofts. We made our own golf balls. And then we’d play through the backyards of the township. That was our version of a golf estate.

“So I use simple techniques to teach the kids. Golf coaching is often too technical for them. I try and make it as simple for them to understand. I explain it to them using examples they can relate to. For example, I tell them if you lift up a cooldrink can then your elbow and wrist action looks like this, which is a good action for the golf swing as well. I take what the top professionals do, and then I think how I’m going to explain it to a kid from the Boland so he understands it.”

And with every lesson, Mahoney has a life lesson attached to it for his young golfers.

“The simplicity of the golf swing is the most important for me, and together with that the life lessons I can teach the children. These kids will grow up and remember the lessons of golf one day. That’s more important. I teach them about avoiding the hazards on a golf course like avoiding the hazards of life. And if you find yourself in a hazard like a bunker, you need to equip yourself to get out of it. As in life, if you make a mistake you need to have the tools to correct it. I tell them that in their lives, it’s about not lying about a mistake. Tell the truth, and then you’re out of the bunker, so to speak. The children understand that language far better than the technicalities of a swing.”

Since the start of the Vodacom Origins of Golf series in 2004, the series has always included an SAGDB golf clinic with the Sunshine Tour professionals to help show these young children the world that golf can open up to them.

And in his decades of teaching, Mahoney has also witnessed many examples of how golf has changed the lives of young people.

“The kids are all over the place, but as soon as they start playing golf they change. Their whole personality changes. You see changes at school and at home, and you see how they change the people around them. That’s just because of the game of golf. It’s just about playing the game that changes them. I had one girl who just wasn’t performing anywhere in her life. She started playing golf and it changed her entirely. Today she’s a member of the SAPS and plays golf for the police.”

For Mahoney and the kids at the Vodacom Origins of Golf clinic, it comes down to a simple philosophy.

“We can offer golf nothing, but golf gives us everything. It’s up to us to get the kids into golf and to teach the lessons of golf. The game will then decide where they go with it. But the life lessons will always be there for them.” – Michael Vlismas

Dolphin Coast (KwaZulu-Natal) – Louis Albertse claimed his third Sunshine Tour victory in dramatic fashion when he beat Pieter Moolman in a playoff to win the Sunbet Challenge hosted by Sun Sibaya at Umhlali Country Club on Friday.

It was a predictably tight finish to a tournament that remained wide open going into the final round, with five players tied for the lead. Albertse and Moolman were part of that group.

It was Moolman who took the early advantage and went into the back nine with a two-stroke lead over Albertse.

But it was Albertse’s flawless back nine that forced the playoff as he made four birdies. Moolman birdied the last to set the target at 11 under par before being joined there by Albertse. Both players closed with rounds of 66.

Albertse then birdied the second playoff hole to take the title.

The victory moved him into eighth place on the Sunshine Tour’s Courier Guy Order of Merit standings.

Tyran Snyders continued his good form this season and signed for a 67 to finish third on 10 under par, claiming his third top-10 finish in his last five tournaments. 

Kyle Barker (67) and Jaco Prinsloo (68) shared fourth place on nine under par, while amateur Ruben van der Berg earned himself a top-10 finish with his closing 70. – Michael Vlismas Media

Dolphin Coast (KwaZulu-Natal) – Young stars Benjamin van Wyk and Tyran Snyders have played their way into a five-way tie for the lead and will chase their maiden Sunshine Tour titles in Friday’s final round of the Sunbet Challenge hosted by Sun Sibaya at Umhlali Country Club.

Van Wyk signed for a second round of 64 and Snyders posted a 67 to see them share the lead on six under par with the experienced Jaco Prinsloo (67), Louis Albertse (66) and Pieter Moolman (65). They are one stroke clear of the field.

Van Wyk, who recently graduated from college in America, finds himself in contention a month after he finished sixth on the Vodacom Origins of Golf series.

“I had an awesome day with my caddie, Jeff. I think I made 19 putts, which is by far the least I’ve had. I hit some good iron shots after I made a slight swing adjustment before the round. I’m really enjoying it. Playing pro golf is a lot of fun. It’s nice to be on the Sunshine Tour to see what I can do,” he said.

Snyders has also shown signs of finding his feet on Tour, with finishes of seventh, eighth and 12^th in three of his last four tournaments before this week.

“Life on the Sunshine Tour so far has been fun. It’s almost full circle as I’m meeting up with old friends again. I try not to make golf bigger than it is. It’s the same game I’ve played as a youngster,” he said.

With a five-way tie for the lead and as many as 17 players within three shots of the lead, including last week’s champion Haydn Porteous, it’s going to be a thrilling final round on Friday.

“I always like a stacked leaderboard. It makes it fun to watch,” said Van Wyk. “I’ll just stick to my routine and try and keep it simple and try to make lots of putts. I am super exited.”

Snyders is hoping for something similar.

“On this course there are a lot of guys that are still in it. I will just focus on what I can do and play like I did today – almost boring golf and take advantage of opportunities,” he said. – Michael Vlismas Media

Norwegian star Viktor Hovland is set to tee it up in South Africa for the first time when he makes his Nedbank Golf Challenge debut in honour of Gary Player at the Gary Player Country Club from December 4-7, 2025.

Hovland will make his third consecutive Ryder Cup appearance at Bethpage Black next week, as Team Europe look to defend the trophy they won two years ago. The 27-year-old made history during that victory in Rome as he and fellow Scandinavian Ludvig Åberg recorded a 9&7 victory over World Number One Scottie Scheffler and five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka.

The World Number 11 and 2023 FedExCup champion was the first player from Norway to win on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR and claimed his 11^thworldwide title with his victory at the Valspar Championship in Florida in March.

Hovland said: “I’m excited to tee it up at the Nedbank Golf Challenge for the first time this December. I’ve had a lot of cool experiences at DP World Tour events around the world, and I’m looking forward to adding this one to the list.

“It’s an event that has a lot of history, a great list of winners and, of course, in honour of Gary Player, so I’m sure it will be a great week.”

This year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge will once again feature the popular Hospitali-TEE Lounge, offering an unrivalled viewing experience for fans.

The Hospitali-TEE Lounge offers access to the day’s golf, an unlimited premium bar and buffet, a Nedbank Golf Challenge merchandise voucher, a seat on the VIP grandstand at the 18^th green, a photo opportunity with the trophy, live entertainment, daily prizes and a player autograph opportunity.

This enhanced fan experience is centrally located close to the public village, with an air-conditioned facility that brings the best of the Nedbank Golf Challenge to the comfort of the Lounge with indoor and outdoor seating and a live TV feed of the golf.

Tickets and hospitality are on sale now at www.nedbankgolfchallenge.com

Midlands (KwaZulu-Natal) – Haydn Porteous produced one of the great comebacks when he won the Vodacom Origins of Golf at the Gowrie Farm Lodge & Golf Course for his first Sunshine Tour title since 2016.

In a tournament plagued by weather delays and reduced to 36 holes, Porteous claimed a one-stroke victory on seven under par following rounds of 66 and 69.

It was a remarkable comeback for Porteous who was playing on an invitation this week and was desperately seeking to reclaim the form that saw him win two DP World Tour events in the 2016 Joburg Open and the 2017 D+D Real Czech Masters. His last victory on the Sunshine Tour before this was in the 2016 Investec Cup.

Kyle McClatchie, Herman Loubser, Luke Jerling, Allen John, Estiaan Conradie, Daniel van Tonder and Austin Bautista all shared second place on six under par.

Gabrielle Venter produced rounds of 70 and 69 to finish as the leading Sunshine Ladies Tour professional on three under par and in joint 19^th place.

But it was an emotional moment for Porteous as he broke a lengthy win drought, which brought him to tears after his victory.

The victory sees him join an illustrious list of winners on the Vodacom Origins of Golf series, which has been played on the Sunshine Tour since 2004.

It’s a series Porteous has had experience of before, having lost in a playoff for a victory in 2014.

The victory moves him into 11^th place on the Sunshine Tour’s Courier Guy Order of Merit. – Michael Vlismas Media

Midlands (KwaZulu-Natal) – Kyle McClatchie, Dylan Mostert, Haydn Porteous and Ryan van der Klis will resume their second rounds on Sunday in the joint lead on six under par in the Vodacom Origins of Golf Gowrie Farm Lodge & Golf Course after fading light forced an end to play on Saturday.

It was a busy day with the suspended first round eventually completed on Saturday afternoon before the golfers went straight into the second round.

Dylan Mostert finished the first round in the lead with a magnificent seven-under-par 64. But he found trouble early in his second round with a seven on his second hole of the round.

McClatchie, who is still looking for a maiden win on Tour, followed up his first round 66 with a strong start to his second round. The South African, who has only managed two top-10 finishes so far on Tour, rolled in five birdies in his first six holes. Unfortunately for McClatchie, four bogeys followed to pull him back into a share of the on-course lead.

Haydn Porteous managed to finish nine holes of his second round to share the lead, with Van Der Klis yet to tee off his second round and tied for the lead following his opening 65.

Kelsey Nicholas is the leading Sunshine Ladies Tour professional on two-under par after finishing her first round with 69.

The second round will resume on Sunday at 07:00. – Michael Vlismas Media

Midlands (KwaZulu-Natal) – On a first day when mist delayed the start of the Vodacom Origins of Golf at the Gowrie Farm Lodge & Golf Course on Friday, Sunshine Tour rookie Ryan van der Klis managed to see the top of the leaderboard quite clearly.

Van Der Klis climbed into the lead on six under par with three holes left when play was suspended because of darkness.

The delay caused by the mist of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands means the first round will resume at 7am on Saturday.

Van Der Klis will do so with a one-stroke lead over Samuel Simpson, who has nine holes to complete, and Christiaan Burke, who has three holes to play.

Van Der Klis, who played his college golf at Augusta University, was still fresh in his professional career this year when he won on the Betway Big Easy Tour.

Australia’s Austin Bautista is also well in contention on three under par with nine holes to play and looking for back-to-back victories on the Sunshine Tour after his victory in last week’s Sunbet Challenge Wild Coast Sun.

Gabrielle Venter and Kelsey Nicholas are the leading Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals on level par through nine holes.

A two-day pro-am preceded the main professional tournament, with local Gowrie Farm member Colin Hardie claiming victory on 85 points after playing with Sunshine Tour professional Warwick Purchase on day one and then Dylan Mostert on day two, and qualifying for the Vodacom Origins of Golf Pro-Am Final at Pezula in November.

“This was my first experience of the Vodacom Origins of Golf and it was absolutely humbling to see just how good the Sunshine Tour professionals are and to spend two days inside the ropes with them. I was blown away by the experience,” he said. – Michael Vlismas Media