PORT ELIZABETH, 14 October 2015 – South Africa’s top ranked senior Mellette Hendrikse will be gunning for a third Indwe Risk Services SA Senior Amateur Stroke Play Championship title at the magnificent Humewood Golf Club in Port Elizabeth from 20-23 October.

Twelve months ago, the 55-year-old Gauteng North senior fired a clinical final round two-under-par 70 at Pecanwood to claim a five stroke victory over fellow Gauteng North golfer Chris Delport and three-time champion Jock Wellington.

The victory cemented his position at the top of the senior amateur rankings and he has remained unchallenged this season since a play-off victory Gauteng North Senior Open in January.

The Akasia player added to his silverware haul with further success in the CGGU Senior and Vaal Opens and warmed up for his title defence in the senior circuit’s flagship event in the best way possible.

Having posted his fourth win of the year in the KZN Spring Classic at Durban Country Club in September, Hendrikse defeated fellow Gauteng North senior William Skinner in a play-off for the North West Senior Open title at Rustenburg Golf Club last week.

Now he hopes his signature precision game will hold up at one of South Africa’s most challenging courses.

“We are greatly indebted to Indwe Risk Services for their commitment to senior amateur golf and for their generous sponsorship of our flagship events,” Hendrikse said.

“Not only is Indwe taking us to one of the top golf courses in the country, but thanks to their generosity this year the championship will be contested over 72 holes.

“I played two inter-provincials at Humewood, but I haven’t competed there since they installed the best grass greens, so I want to thank Indwe personally for extending the championship. I always get better as a tournament progresses and it is comforting to know I have enough rounds to fix anything that goes wrong along the way.”

Hendrikse was very pleased with his performance in Durban and hopes the same strategy will pay off at Humewood.

“It is not always easy for inland players to compete at the coast, because you have to make adjustments for the altitude and the wind,” he said.

“I went to Durban to defend a second place while still testing some swing changes, so I was a little nervous, but I got off to a good start and pulled it through.

“Like Durban, the key to good scoring at Humewood is about keeping the ball in play and that’s my strong point. Anything off line and the course will punish you with some big numbers.

“I love Humewood, so I am really fired up to get this year’s challenge underway.”

Indwe Risk Services CEO Peter Olyott is equally keen for the cream of senior golf to get into the swing of things at Humewood.

“We take immense pride in our long association with senior amateur golf,” Olyott said.

“We don’t just champion seniors on the golf course, we actively partner them in life and have been doing so for over 30 years. It is a privilege to walk beside our clients on the green of life, providing appropriate guidance and the confidence to get out of the rough with ease.

“The Indwe Risk Services SA Senior Amateur Stroke Play Championship is the pinnacle of senior amateur golf and Humewood will provide a fantastic backdrop to a championship that delivers a fantastic mix of drama, roaring shot-making and rousing challenges.

“We are excited to see who will emerge as the 2015 champion this year.”

PHOTO – Mellette Hendrikse will line up in his title defence in the 2015 Indwe Risk Services SA Senior Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Humewood Golf Club; credit Catherine Kotze / SASPA.