Two share emotional finish at BMW SA Open
Both are members of the Gary Player Class of 2017/18
By Michael Vlismas
The cheer that went up around the 18th at Glendower Golf Club on January 14 could’ve been mistaken for the winning putt in the BMW South African Open.
It came way before the leaders were even close to finishing and yet, it had everything to do with a triumph for South African golf.As they walked up the 18th fairway, Musiwalo Nethunzwi and playing partner Toto Thimba carried a South African flag between them and were cheered all the way to the green.
On the stage of South Africa’s most prestigious golf tournament and the second oldest national Open in golf, both golfers made a powerful statement.
Nethunzwi was playing in his first BMW South African Open. He marked this occasion by making the cut and going on to finish tied 51st on three under par with a final round of 70. Thimba finished tied 67th on one over with a closing 74.
Both are members of the Gary Player Class of 2017/18, the Sunshine Tour’s main development squad for historically disadvantaged professional golfers. It is the professional arm of a development structure that benefits from the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) and the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation (EEFF) as part of the collective golf development drive in this country.
Nethunzwi is one of the major success stories of the SAGDB’s longstanding investment in his future. He was a top amateur and represented South Africa before turning professional. He won on the Sunshine Big Easy Tour at Glendower last year, but there is no doubt that this performance at Glendower was a major moment for him.
“I was a bit emotional over that last putt. Toto and I had just hit our second shots when my caddie pulled out the flag and handed it to us,” said Nethunzwi.
“We were just so proud to walk up to the 18th green carrying that flag feeling proud of our country and proud to be playing in the BMW South African Open, one of the greatest golf tournaments in the world. I just kept pushing myself the whole week to play well and I’m very happy with this performance. This is a big confidence boost for me.”
Thimba felt similar emotions.
“It’s been a phenomenal week and we had such great support out there. It’s obviously a dream of mine to win the BMW SA Open one day. It was such a privilege to play here.”
