Burnand wins inaugural Junior African Challenge

The tournament was held under the control of US Kids Golf and SA Kids Golf, and will become an annual event on the South African golf calendar.

The tournament caters for boys and girls in age groups from six to 18 years old.

The official practice was held on Monday, August 26, and the competition commenced on Tuesday, August 27.

St Dunstan’s Preparatory School’s Jordan Burnand played consistent golf, and score 76 on the first day to take a two stroke lead into the second day in the boys age 13 group.

He again scored 76 on the second day, including a two stroke penalty for grounding his club in a bunker, which he called on himself.

Some low scores of 71 and 72 by other golfers in the field meant that Burnand entered the final day tie for the lead with Xander Prinsloo, and two shots ahead of Norman Setton, from the Southern Cape.

The day was played in perfect weather conditions with the final day pressure causing some nervous shots and the usual erratic scoring.

The Grade Seven pupil birdied the final hole to post a score of 77 for the day, and secured the victory for Burnand by six shots over second place.

On Friday, August 30, the inaugural Dunbar Cup was contested and the top two players in each age group were selected to contest the cup (based on a Ryder Cup format).

The Cheetah Team, which Burnand was a member of, won the Dunbar Cup 5½ to 4½.

The young golfer has had an excellent year and competed in the European Boys Championship held at Gullaine Golf Course, in East Lothian, Scotland, where he played solid golf to place seventh for boys under 12.

He is a member of Ebotse Links and is coached by Ebotse’s head professional Craig Stickling.

He is also a member of the St Dunstan’s golf team, which recently won the Ernie Els Primary School Challenge at Copperleaf.