Author Archives: Morné

Pfeifer and Theron share SA Open delight

2016 SA Disabled Golf Open: Day 3TSHWANE, 4 May 2016 – American Chad Pfeifer rolled in a clutch putt for par at the final hole to celebrate a wire-to-wire victory in the Nedbank SA Disabled Open, while 19-year-old Stellenbosch University student Charl Theron upstaged South Africa’s big guns to top the local challenge with a tie for fourth on Wednesday.

Pfeifer shot a final round one-over-par 72 to edge out 2014 champion Josh Williams by one shot to lift the trophy on a winning score of even-par 213 at Zwartkop Country Club. Juan Postigo from Spain returned an 80 to take third on 225, while Theron closed with a 75 to grab a share of fourth on 231 to tie celebrated leg amputee Manuel de los Santos from the Dominican Republic, who shot a final round 81. Continue reading

Trio share SA Mid-Amateur Stroke Play lead

RobertGouws_GNGUTSHWANE, 3 May 2016 – South Africa’s top ranked Gerlou Roux made a great start in his title defence at the SA Mid-Amateur Stroke Play when he grabbed a share of the three-way tie in the first round at Silver Lakes Country Club on Tuesday.

The Bellville golfer shares pole position with Shaun Stapleton from Wanderers Golf Club and Robert Gouws from Akasia Country Club. Continue reading

Foreigners freeze out local attack at SA Open

collage_leaders_GNGUTSHWANE, 3 May 2016 – You have to look all the way to sixth place to find Herman van Wyk’s name after the foreign challengers – led by American Chad Pfeifer – took command in the second round of the Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open at Zwartkop Country Club on Tuesday.

Former US Army corporal Pfeifer went on a tear and blazed the course with nine birdies, but the leg-amputee from Texas gave back almost as many as he closed out a two-under-par 69 for a one stroke lead from former champion Josh Williams from Canada on one under 141. Continue reading

Van Wyk upstages SA Open favourites

2016 SA Disabled Golf Open: Day 1TSHWANE, 2 May 2016 – It came as no surprise to see Chad Pfeifer’s name at the top of the leaderboard, but it was ‘John Daly-lookalike’ Herman van Wyk from North West who set the cat among the pigeons in round one of the 2016 Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open on Monday.

Two-time US National Amputee champion Pfeifer was among the favourites coming into the championship and the former US Army corporal lived up to his star billing with an opening one-over-par 72 at Zwartkop Country Club.

But instead of having defending champion Daniel Slabbert or two-time World One-Arm champion Reinard Schuhknecht in pursuit, Pfeifer has former champion Josh Williams from Canada and Van Wyk chasing his tail. Continue reading

First Swingers savour SA Open start

VinceRaylenChadCharles_GNGUTSHWANE, 1 May 2016 – The arrival of well-known American pair Chad Pfeifer and Vince Biser at Zwartkop Country Club on Sunday morning sent a ripple of excitement through this year’s participants of the Nedbank SA Disabled Open.

Raylen de Wee from Lavender Hill and Carnavon’s Charles Williams caught a quick photo with the Yanks before setting off at a brisk pace to catch up with the rest of the First Swing Programmers for a practice round ahead of Monday’s first round. Continue reading

Wheelchair gladiators primed for SA Open

2016_GNGU_MathysRoets_JamesHouriganTSHWANE, 30 April 2016 – Popular Afrikaans musician Mathys Roets and highly-rated former Border left-hand batsman Ralph Cullinan come from very diverse backgrounds, lead vastly different lives and don’t even speak the same language.

Yet, on the eve of their debut in the 2016 Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open, the pair discovered that they share more common ground than either imagined.

“Ralph and I were both paralysed in road accidents in 2009,” said Roets, who plays off a 28 handicap.

“At first you ask yourself ‘why me’, but soon enough you say what am I going to do with the rest of my life. There is no time to waste on negativity. We both set ourselves goals. Some we achieved with ease and others took a lot of blood sweat and tears. Continue reading

Title-hungry Slabbert amped up for international onslaught

Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open 2014: Day 2TSHWANE, 28 April 2016 – South Africa’s Daniël Slabbert is primed to face a power-packed line-up of international stars as he takes a fifth stab at success in the Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open at Zwartkop Country Club from 2-4 May.

The defending champion will need to bring his A-game to stave off Americans Vince Biser and Chad Pfeiffer, Spanish stand-out Juan Postigo, Manuel de los Santos from the Dominican Republic and 2014 Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open champion Josh Williams from Canada, among others.

“Vince won the North American One-Armed Golfer Association Championship a record five times,” he said. “Chad is a two-time US National Amputee Championship winner and has been impressive on the Web.Com Tour. Continue reading