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Some of the world's top golfers are in town this week preparing to take part in the annual Joburg Open – and two local developmental players will be joining them.
Congratulations for the 2008 winner Richard Sterne from Joburg’s City manager Mavela Dlamini and executive mayor Amos Masondo
TWO young development golfers will be teeing off with top ranking amateurs and professionals for the third Joburg Open Tournament starting on Thursday.
This is the first time in the tournament's history that development players will be allowed to participate in a Sunshine Tour event, confirms Bongi Mokaba, director for events in the City of Johannesburg.
The City, the Gauteng Economic Development Agency and insurance giant Old Mutual are co-sponsors of the event.
The youngsters – Emmanuel Masoliedze, and Musolo Nethunzwi from Soweto Country Club – will be joining the likes of Retief Goosen, David Frost and past Joburg Open winners South African Richard Sterne (2008) and Ariel Canete of Argentina (2007) over the four day event.
The Joburg Open is being held at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club from Thursday, 8 January to Sunday, 11 January.
It is the number of young professional players in the field which is making the event so exciting, says Mokaba.
Among the names to watch is Raphaël Jacquelin from France; TC Charamba from Zimbabwe; and South Africans Anthony Haig and Sterne, who have all been making it big, particularly on the European Tour.
Charamba is the new Namibian Open champion while Sterne is South African Open Champion for 2008 and ranked first in the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. Jacquelin took the Asian Open in 2008 while Haig won the 2007 Johnny Walker Classic in Thailand.
"We need everybody [in Johannesburg] to come and watch because of the number of young people performing in our own back yard," Mokaba urges.
Development
The Joburg Open is different from other similar events in that it aims to make the sport more accessible and open to everyone. Entrance to this year's tournament is free of charge.
Referred to as "a new-generation" event, it is positioned to be "a world-class tournament in a world-class African city to which all its residents and guests are unreservedly welcome".
The tournament's objectives are also to further the development of golf in previously disadvantaged areas.
Sponsorship for the event also includes the development of a driving range in Diepsloot, north of Sandton and a golf academy near Alexandra.
The driving range is currently under construction and once established, will be made available to the surrounding communities to utilise as a practice facility.
The golf academy will provide SETA-accredited training to young matriculants and unemployed adults who are eager to acquire skills and earn a living in the golfing industry.
Competitive field
In total, 200 golfers from Europe and South Africa will be competing in the 72-hole individual stroke-play event.
The field will be cut after 36 holes and the top 70 scores plus ties will qualify for the final two rounds. The first two rounds on Thursday and Friday will take place on both the East and West courses, with all players playing one round on each. The final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday afternoon take place on the East course.
With a €1.1 million pot - more than R14-million - spectators can expect to see some exciting golf.
Some viewing spots for spectators have been identified. On the West course, the best viewing opportunities are between the 15th and 16th holes, just a short walking distance from the clubhouse.
The 15th is a reachable par five with a water-carry on the second shot. Players should be clearing the water in two shots. A short walk from the green is the tricky par-three 16th.
On the East course the par-three 12th hole is a good viewing point. Approach shots on the signature 11th hole can also be seen from here. According to those in the know, the 11th is one of the truly great holes in South African golf, requiring a long tee shot and a precise approach.
The Joburg Open is the third European Tour Order of Merit tournament in South Africa along with the Dunhill Championship and the South African Airways Open.
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