Mbombela has its own Masters golf tournament

Since 1937, the green jacket has been an institution at not only the US Masters golf tournament, but also a prominent symbol in the golfing world as a whole.

In the spirit of the Masters, which concluded on April 9 and saw John Rahm taking the spoils, Mbombela Golf Club continued with the tradition that started in 2017 by hosting their own version called the Green Jacket Masters.

A total of 58 players took to the club’s lush fairways, ready to vie for the coveted prize.

ALSO READ: Runners amped to conquer the Elands Marathon

The Green Jacket Masters takes on the format of an individual Stableford. The number of points awarded on each hole is determined based on comparison to the number of strokes taken to a fixed score, usually par.
This fixed score is then adjusted in relation to the player’s handicap on the specific course.
The objective is to accumulate as many points as one can. This format evens the playing field, making it fair game for everyone, regardless of how high or low one’s handicap.

Also mimicking the US Masters, where players are invited to participate in the tournament, only Mbombela Golf Club’s members were eligible to win the green jacket.

ALSO READ: Lowvelder sponsored competition brings out the best in golfers 

The first players teed off at 11:00 on Saturday April 15.

After 18 holes, Nash Suriakumar came back with 43 points. Warwick and Duncan Morgan tied scores for second and third place on 38, with Warwick winning on a count-out.

The 2022 green jacket champion, Cas du Toit, handed the jacket over to Suriakumar. Although he rightfully won it, it is not his to keep. Keeping to tradition, the jacket remains at the club where it will be put in a display case with Suriakumar’s name on it.

Darren Plumb, CEO of Mbombela Golf Club, said they were very satisfied with how the day went and mentioned that they had a lot of support from their members.