Pros take a swing at Pro-Am at Mbombela Golf Club
The three-day competition was split into two divisions: one in teams, and the other in which some of the PGA’s own went head to head.
The fifth Professional Golfers Association of South Africa’s (PGA) National Pro-Am golf tournament was held at our very own Mbombela Golf Club from November 11 to 14.
The three-day event delivered some exciting rounds of golf. Twenty nine four-ball alliances with pros at the helm teed off bright and early on November 11 in the hopes to get an early lead.
The competition was split into two divisions: one in their teams, which was played in a four-ball alliance Stableford, two balls to count, and in the other, the pros went head to head in an individual Stableford, thus they had to perform both for the sake of their alliance as well as themselves.
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After the first 18, the alliance of Schalk Grobler, Jan-Hendrik du Toit, Daniell du Toit and Braam van Staden topped the standings, ending the day with nett score of 88. Cornel Muller cemented an early lead in the individual competition, scoring 40 points.
Moving day saw a shift change in the weather conditions and also the momentum. The four-ball of Grobler and team dropped down to eighth position, making way for Louis le Roux, Anton van Dyk, Billy de Jager and Muller Snyman (175). Snyman delivered a consistent round and managed to stay in the top three, tying for second spot.
The last day saw some determined players geared up for victory, swinging hard and sinking much-needed birdies and eagles.
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Le Roux, Van Dyk, De Jager and Snyman held on to their lead for the last round, proudly lifting the trophy over their heads. The alliance recorded 87 in the first round, 88 in the second and 86 in the third to card a gross score of 261.
The PGA’s own Rudy Whitfield took the honours in the individual competition, edging out his fellow pros with a mere one point.
Other results:
• Four-ball alliance Stableford
– 2nd: Ceejee Potgieter, Casper Strydom, Flip du Preez and Jaco du Toit (255)
– T3: Dane Vosloo, Jacques Fourie, Vicus Herbs and Arno Veldtman (253)
– T3: Jacques Kok, Gerhard Vos, Matt Prohl and Barend Kok (253)
– T3: Ivano Ficalbi, Nick Elliot Jr, Angelo Sebastian and Chalmers Pagiwa (253).
• Individual Stableford
– T2: Dane Vosloo (110)
– T2: Ivano Facilbi (110).
