The professionals were visiting the Garden Route to compete in the SA Par 3 Invitational Golf Tournament. Although tournaments in this format are being played in both Britain and the United States, it was the first time that such a professional golf tournament is played in South Africa.
Philip Vermeulen, owner of Sedge Links Golf Course, praised the collective energy of the club's staff and members in making this tournament a reality. "Who would have thought when the excavators and diggers moved onto this piece of land in 2008, it would be transformed into the beautiful links course it is today, a course that would attract the likes of the twelve golfers who joined us this weekend for the first Par 3 tournament of its kind in South Africa."
Referring to the Pro Am, Vermeulen said that he had enjoyed the opportunity to play alongside the winner of more than 30 professional golf tournaments and Knysna local, John Bland. "I look at him [Bland] and see that the old bull still has tick in him. I am sure it has a great deal to do with having a gorgeous caddy," smiled Vermeulen. Bland's caddy for the weekend was wife and professional golfer, Sonja Bland.
Besides playing in wind speeds of up to 40km per hour at times, Carlo Kok, teaching professional at Kenako Academy, won the nine-hole Pro Am with a round of 26. Close on his heels were Roger Wessels and Jayde Tannous, both with a score of 27.
The locals who were fortunate enough to interact with the twelve professional golfers and their families sang their praises, saying that the players were friendly, approachable and always ready with a golf tip.
Vermeulen confirmed that this golf tournament will once again be played at the Sedge Links Golf Course in 2015. To this Bland responded that he will definitely be playing, "I have to defend my title," he smiled.
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Waiting for the tee-off at the SA PGA Par 3 Pro Am on Friday, November 8 are (from left) Andre Stander (Sedge Links member and father of Louis Oosthuizen's caddy, Wynand Stander), Piet Gronum (Sedge Links Golf Club owner), Philip Vermeulen (Sedge Links Golf Course and Clubhouse owner), John Bland (Professional golfer and winner of the SA PGA Par 3 Tournament) and Sonja Bland (professional golfer, Bland's wife and caddy).
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: FRAN KIRSTEN
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