JOHANNESBURG (27 January 2015) – South Africa enjoyed a productive first day against France at St Francis Links and will carry a five point lead into the final of the two-day Test on Wednesday.

The South African six-pack scored a clean sweep in the morning Foursomes and claimed four points in the afternoon Singles to lead the Test 7 – 2.

Southern Cape’s Jovan Rebula and Keegan de Lange from Gauteng North defeated Antoine Kuoch and Leo Mathard 5 & 3 to claim first blood in the Foursomes.

Gauteng North’s JP Cooper and Herman Loubser from Boland proved too tough a combination for Antoine Auboin and Victor Veyret, who went down 2 & 1, while Central Gauteng pair Marco Steyn and Dylan Naidoo completed the whitewash with a 2 & 1 victory against Jeong-Weon Ko and Paul Foulquie. Continue reading →

PRETORIA, 27 January 2015 – South Africa’s top ranked senior Mellette Hendrikse made a seamless transition to 2015 when he clinched a play-off victory Gauteng North Senior Open this January.

The 54-year-old Akasia golfer notched four provincial victories last year and wrapped up his number one spot with his second Indwe Risk Services SA Senior Amateur Stroke Play Championship title in October.

Hendrikse picked up where he left off when he produced a patented final round charge in the season-opener at Waterkloof Golf Club to tie Gerhard Strydom on one over 145. He clinched the title with a birdie at the first extra hole.

Having started the season on a winning note, Hendrikse is targeting the elusive ‘double’ at the invitation-only Players’ Championship at Sun City next month.

“Our two flagship events are the Players’ Championship and the Indwe Senior SA Stroke Play,” he said.

“I’ve won the Stroke Play twice, but the Players’ still eludes me. The best I’ve managed is a sixth place finish, but I’m going all out at Sun City this year.”

Although the Stroke Play has been around for a while, the Players’ Championship only launched in 2012.

“The Players’ Championship was the brainchild of fellow senior, Philip Viljoen,” Hendrikse explained.

“He dreamt of hosting a prestigious championship that would showcase the talents of the top senior amateurs in the country. Continue reading →

ST FRANCIS BAY, Eastern Province (26 January 2015) – Southern Cape junior Jovan Rebula will lead South Africa against France in a two-day Test that kicks off at St Francis Links on Tuesday.

The local six-pack will be looking to extend South Africa’s winning record to two after the country’s success in the first Test at Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate last year.

Rebula returns for South Africa, while  Gauteng North’s Keegan de Lange and JP Cooper, Herman Loubser from Boland, Marco Steyn and Dylan Naidoo from Central Gauteng complete the line-up at the Jack Nicklaus masterpiece in the Eastern Province.

Victor Veyret is the only holdover for the French and the Chantilly junior will line up alongside Order of Merit leader Jeong-Weon Ko, second and third ranked Antoine Aubion and Antoine Kuoch, as well as Leo Mathard and Paul Foulquie, who claimed back-to-back victories in Scotland last year. Continue reading →

PRETORIA, 25 January 2015 – Rustenburg amateur Theunie Bezuidenhout put on a classy performance at Pretoria Country Club to close out victory in the weather-affected Gauteng North Open Stroke Play on Sunday.

Just three months after he defeated South Africa’s number two ranked Tristen Strydom in a sudden-death play-off for the prestigious PWC GNGU Silver Salver title, the 19-year-old North West golfer was in ascendancy again in his adopted province.

Bezuidenhout picked up where he left off with a five-under-par 67 to take the first round lead and kept in touch with a 72 to trail by one stroke from Paul Boshoff in the second round.

He surged to a five stroke lead with another superb 67 in the third round and still led by the same margin through 16 holes in the final round when play was suspended at 16h15 due to lightning storms. Continue reading →

PRETORIA, 24 January 2015 – South Africa’s number one junior Paul Boshoff finished birdie-birdie at Pretoria Country Club to sit on top of the international pile at the end of the second round at the Gauteng North Open Stroke Play Championship on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Ekurhuleni golfer overcame a soft bogey on each nine with six birdies to register a four-under-par 68 for a one stroke lead on six under 138.

Overnight leader Theunie Bezuidenhout and current Gauteng North Silver Salver holder stayed in touch with a 72.

The Rustenburg golfer edged into second ahead of local favourite Teaghan Gauche and 2014 Scottish Boys Match Play and Stroke Play champion Ewen Ferguson, who posted respective rounds of 72 and 70. Continue reading →

PRETORIA, 24 January 2015 – South Africa’s number two ranked amateur, Tristen Strydom, fired a four-under-par 68 to finish within one shot of first round pacesetter, Theunie Bezuidenhout, in the season-opening Gauteng North Open Stroke Play on Friday.

Strydom, a five-time winner last season, reeled in four birdies and an eagle to offset two bogeys to tie Gauteng North’s Teaghan Gauche for second.

The 17-year-old Ekurhuleni junior was pleased to get his 2015 season underway with a solid first round performance.

“It’s our first provincial open amateur event of the season and it’s important to get a solid finish this weekend with the South African Stroke Play Championship coming up,” said Strydom.

“You’re not only competing against the top amateurs in the game, but the Scots are out in full force and there are a lot of other international campaigners in the field. I’m looking for at least a top five finish to carry that confidence to Port Elizabeth, so I’m pleased with the start.

Meanwhile Rustenburg golfer Bezuidenhout edged in front with a five under 67.

Strydom was not surprised to see the North West Province golfer leading the chase.

“Less than four months ago, Theunie defeated me at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off at Irene Country Club to win the PWC Gauteng North Silver Salver,” the reigning Nomads SA Boys U-19 Stroke Play champion said.

“He always seems to excel at the top courses around Pretoria courses, so I expected him to be in the running. But we still have two rounds and lots of golf to play.”

Follow live scoring at http://www.gngu.co.za/scoring/res2015/open/sagaindx.htm

PHOTO – Tristen Strydom; credit Catherine Kotze / SASPA.

Keegan de Lange and JP Cooper have been named to a six-man side that will represent South Africa in a two-day Test against a French team from 27 to 28 January.

The South African Golf Association (SAGA) also named Herman Loubser from Boland, Southern Cape’s Jovan Rebula, Marco Steyn and Dylan Naidoo from Central Gauteng to face the French at St Francis Links.

SAGA Golf Integration Manager, Eden Thompson, said the French Golf Union requested six, instead of four players this year, and SAGA was happy to oblige.

“Last year, we fielded a team of four players that beat the French at Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate,” said.

“We were very pleased to increase the team, because this offers us the opportunity to give six of our top juniors the chance to gain experience against top international amateurs.” Continue reading →