A City of Johannesburg employee emerged victorious in the Pro-Am tournament on Tuesday, 1 April 2025, a prelude to the highly anticipated Joburg Ladies Open, which officially tees off this week.
Third time lucky certainly rings true for Keletso Kgotse, a Specialist Town Planner (Land Use Management), who not only clinched one prize but two. This year marked her third time competing in the Pro-Am, and she delivered a stellar performance.
Kgotse won the longest drive for hole eight and secured overall first place with her amateur teammates, Thanda Zama and Phumzile Langeni, alongside professional golfers Annabel Dimmock and Helen Kreuzer. The team triumphed with a total of 84 points.
“I’m grateful. I didn’t expect to win anything—I just came to have fun because golf is my passion. I’m thrilled to have won and to have played with an amazing team. Whenever one of us was struggling, someone else lifted them up,” said Kgotse.
She praised her professional teammates, saying, “Annabel was so calm, and Helen was fantastic company. They made it all so easy.”
Kgotse also commended the City of Johannesburg for hosting the Pro-Am and fostering opportunities for women in golf. “I’m impressed by the City for hosting such a prestigious international tournament. It’s crucial to empower women in the sport. I hope this event continues indefinitely, allowing young and upcoming golfers to participate and gain exposure to international players.”
Second place in the Pro-Am went to professional golfers Casandra Alexander and Carolin Kauffmann and their amateur teammates Ethel Nyembe, Gwen Makhathini, and Heidi van der Berg, who scored 82 points. The third-place finishers were professional golfers Momoka Kobori and Hayley Davis, along with amateur players Lelane Straw, Adri Vorster, and Carol Martin.
The Pro-Am offers amateurs the chance to play alongside professionals, with this year’s event featuring an all-female field in a four-ball alliance format. The Joburg Ladies Open is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the Ladies European Tour. The tournament tees off on Thursday, 3 April, and the winner, set to be crowned on Sunday, 6 April, will take home a share of the €300,000 (R5.8 million) prize purse.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance Cllr Margaret Arnolds welcomed the golfers and sponsors at the prize-giving ceremony. “As the City of Johannesburg prepares to tee off the 2025 Joburg Ladies Open, it is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome on behalf of this beautiful city.”
“Tonight, we officially welcome you all. The overwhelming turnout reflects the passion and dedication that make this tournament so special, which is why I always support it. For us as a City, this event is more than just a competition—it drives economic growth, showcases Jozi’s vibrancy, and strengthens our global brand. We take great pride in celebrating the 10th edition of the Joburg Ladies Open since its inception in 2015. This milestone underscores our commitment to hosting world-class sporting events.”
Cllr Arnolds further expressed hope that the tournament’s trophy would remain in South Africa, extending gratitude to the event’s sponsors and partners. “Your support highlights the power of public-private partnerships in delivering major programmes.”
This year’s tournament also continued the Birdies for Dignity campaign, raising over R10,000 for the initiative. Generous donations followed the prize-giving ceremony, with the Itu Foundation—a non-profit dedicated to creating opportunities for young golfers—contributing R5,000.
Innocentia Motau, founder of the Itu Foundation, emphasised the importance of restoring dignity to young golfers. “It’s essential to be part of this change. Corporates should also step in—they have a significant role to play,” she said.
The Joburg Ladies Open is open to spectators from Thursday to Sunday, with free entry for all.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi