South Africans Bryan Newman and Gia Raad flew the country’s flag high at Leopard Creek as they won their respective Africa Amateur tournaments by two shots.

The R&A Africa Amateur Championship and the R&A Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational were both held this year for the second time, having debuted at Leopard Creek last year.

They offer up a great platform for the continent’s best amateur golfers to secure spots in some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, and potentially help kick-start a successful career in golf.

In the men’s competition, played from February 5 to 8, Bryan (17) teed off on the final day with a handsome five-shot lead over countryman Roelof Craig. While a comeback win for someone from the chasing pack was unlikely, a dropped shot on the third hole opened the door enough for the chasers to get a peek. A birdie three holes later dispelled this, though, before he left the door open again with another bogey on the ninth.

Two birdies in the opening stretch of the back nine meant that the bogeys on 16 and 17 would not end up costing him the win. A measured final hole left him with two putts to claim victory, which he duly did, taking home the Africa Amateur Trophy with an eight-under-par total of 280.

“It feels really amazing. It’s so special. And to do it here at Leopard Creek makes it even more special,” said the young golfer on his win. “I definitely felt nervous down the last nine, but I was just trying to make a lot of pars out there, which I did. I made a couple of mistakes down the stretch, but luckily I had enough of a cushion.”

Thanks to his victory in the second Africa Amateur, Bryan earns exemption into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in July, as well as places in the Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.

When asked about being exempt for The Open, he said: “Yeah, it’s really exciting. I can’t wait and I’m really looking forward to it.”

After beginning the day as Bryan’s closest competitor, Roelof ultimately finished in third, six shots off the pace, while Zimbabwean Keegan Shutt was in second place only two shots behind Bryan.

Gia, also 17, had a relatively nervy, yet comfortable, end to the women’s side of the tournament which was played from February 5 to 7. Having finished third in last year’s inaugural competition, she took a three-shot lead over last year’s runner-up Bobbi Brown (22) going into the final round.

Gia made a shaky start to the final round with a double bogey on the second hole, which presented an opportunity for Brown, also from South Africa. She battled back though, and birdies on the fifth and sixth holes steadied the ship again.

A bogey on the 11th undoubtedly shook the nerves a bit for Gia, but a birdie on 15 and some hard-fought-for pars throughout the round meant that Brown’s birdie on 18 wasn’t enough to catch Gia.

“It feels surreal. It’s been a very quick week, I’m not going to lie. But today was a tough day, and I’m just really, really happy. I don’t really have the words to describe it,” said Gia, who finished on four under for the week.

“On the back nine I could start to feel the nerves. My tummy was going crazy. It’s nice because Bobbi and I were cheering each other on, and we have a really good friendship, so it was helpful. She helped me keep calm.”

Brown finished on two under for the week, while first-round leader Lisa Coetzer of South Africa finished in third position on three over par.

Thanks to her win, Gia will start in the Women’s Amateur Championship, the final qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, the Joburg Ladies Open, the Investec South African Women’s Open, and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.