Finnish professional golfer Sami Valimaki, the 2020 Oman Open champion, and his amateur teammates Jaco Beukes, Nkosana Khoza, and Andre Wissler won the Joburg Open Pro-Am with a total of 96 points. Second place went to professional Heinrich Bruiners and his team of Thomas Abt, Matthew Rosen, and Piet Mouton on 92 points.
On their heels in third place with 91 points were professional Aaron Cockerill and teammates Stanley Anderson, Wade Griffin, and Lex Kriel.
Daisy Daniel won nearest the pin for hole seven, and Nick Sfarnas won nearest the pin for hole 16.
Dalene Carelse won the longest drive for hole three, and Stuart Hanock won the longest drive for hole five.
The invite-only pro-am format was a four-ball alliance with two scores to count, and 90 amateurs and 30 professional golfers took part.
A prizegiving dinner was held at the Houghton Golf Club on Tuesday, 22 November, following a fun day on the golf course.
The pro-am allows amateurs and professional golfers to play together as part of the build-up to the Joburg Open tournament that will tee-off on Thursday, 24 November.
The course’s first tee commemorates the late mayor Mpho Moerane. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Houghton Golf Club.
The late Thabo Masebe, a former leading government communicator, was also honoured at the dinner.
Executive Mayor Cllr Mpho Phalatse says she loved seeing the golfers playing together and working towards a common goal.
“Today, the amateurs and professionals in the pro-am taught us a very important lesson; that it is possible to put aside differences and work together toward a common goal.”
Gary Butler, the tournament director, thanked the City for a warm welcome and says he is impressed with the golf course.
“On behalf of the DP World Tour and its players, thank you for having us in this beautiful city. I have been coming to South Africa now for 15 years, along with many other players from around the world, and we come back each year because of your warm welcome and wonderful golf courses.
This is my first time at Houghton Golf Club, and I was absolutely blown away by its immaculate tees, greens, and fairways,” he said.
Thriston Lawrence played in the pro-am and will return to the tournament later in the week to defend his Joburg Open title.
He expressed his appreciation to the City for hosting an international golf tournament of this magnitude.
“It changed my life completely. I ended up winning another event in Switzerland and playing in my first ever Major in The Open at St. Andrews, and it all started with the Joburg Open. This opportunity is what we live for, and it was a dream come true for me, and I can’t thank the City of Johannesburg, the Sunshine Tour, and the DP World Tour enough for that.”
The Joburg Open is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the DP World Tour and will be played at the Houghton Gold Club for over four days from Thursday, 24 November, to Sunday, 27 November.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
23/11/2022