Author name: michael

South Africa’s leading junior golfers and visitors from nine countries put their talent on display at the end of August during the inaugural Junior Africa Challenge at Zebula Golf Estate and Spa in Bela Bela.

Hosted and presented by S.A. Kids Golf, the international championship drew 80 participants aged between seven and 18 years, who competed in various age divisions. South African Golf Association president Andre Pieterse praised S.A. Kids Golf for their continued commitment to promoting junior golf in South Africa.

All Zander Gous wanted before he shook the sand of Royal St Georges from his spikes, was just one birdie. After two days of negative numbers, the 17-year-old South African junior got his wish at the par-five 14^th in the final round of the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy and a 73 lifted him to a tie for 25^th in the world-class field.

Defending champion Henrik Stenson will spearhead the international challenge in the 103rd South African Open Championship at Glendower Golf Club from 21-24 November 2013.

South African Golf Association president Andre Pieterse welcomed the Swede’s decision.

“As the custodians of the South African Open Championship, we are proud of all our past champions and we welcome Henrik’s decision to come back and defend his title,” Pieterse said. “Our amateurs are always looking for idols to aspire to and Henrik has definitely inspired, not only with his success since last year, but with his grit, determination and work ethic. He has been an exceptional ambassador for our national Open and the game of golf.”

Ji Sun Kang held on to the top 10, but Zander Gous is finding out first hand just why the world’s top professionals also struggled to break par during the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George’s in Sandwich, England.

The two South Africans are competing in the 13th edition of the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy , where they have had to deal with a tough course, talented opponents and very windy conditions over the first two days of the prestigious invitation-only 54-hole stroke play event.

Ekurhuleni’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout lived up to his star billing when he ascended to the number one spot in the South African Golf Association (SAGA) rankings on Monday.