Schietekat triumphs at Origins of Golf homecoming

Gallery Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Last week the Sunshine Tour's Vodacom Origins of Golf series returned to where it all began, with tour veteran Neil Schietekat triumphing at Pezula Championship Course as the series celebrated its 20th birthday.

Schietekat finished top of the leaderboard for the 2023 Vodacom Origins of Golf final on -15 after a bogey-free fourth round on Sunday, earning a two-stroke win ahead of third round leader Jacques P de Villiers who ended on -13. Hennie O'Kennedy rounded out the top three on -10 for the week.

It was Schietekat's experience and consistency on the course at Pezula that helped the 16-year veteran of the Sunshine Tour earn his second Origins of Golf title.

Tara Griebenow was the top Sunshine Ladies Tour professional in the field after finishing five over par courtesy of a final round 75.

Throughout the week Schietekat never finished a round over par, and always ensured he remained there or thereabouts at the top of the leaderboard, never losing sight of the leaders.

While every round presented a new leader, Schietekat ensured he stayed one shot off the lead throughout the tournament, always lurking, reminding the leaders to never get comfortable at the top.

De Villiers was the leader after moving day on Saturday, and with Schietekat breathing down his neck he would've undoubtedly known that any slip-up on the last day would give the Joburg native in second place a chance. He held his nerve in the early stages of the final round despite Schietekat birdying the first hole to tie the lead.

PHOTO GALLERY: Sunshine Tour's Vodacom Origins of Golf series

Runner-up Jacques P de Villiers makes his way out of a bunker.

The duo stayed tied at the top as they both birdied the fourth hole, but things started to unravel on the fifth hole for De Villiers.

After bogeys on five, six and eight De Villiers birdied the ninth, but so did Schietekat, and heading into the second nine he trailed the leader by three shots. With a two-under-par back nine, Schietekat held his nerve in the home stretch to stay out of reach of De Villiers.

It was a just reward for Schietekat who had recently battled injury before taking to the beautifully manicured fairways and greens at Pezula.

He's been a regular Vodacom Origins of Golf competitor since he debuted on the Sunshine Tour in 2007, finishing second on two occasions before getting his first Origins of Golf title in 2018 at the Western Cape leg of the series.

Schietekat looks back fondly to his time at Pezula. "It was a good week and I really want to thank my caddie for sticking with me through this injury and when the golf has struggled. But this brings us both a smile," he said.

"This one is definitely a sweet win for me. Vodacom has been part of the Sunshine Tour ever since I started out in 2007.

"They've been a great supporter of the Tour. Without them we wouldn't have had the playing opportunities we do in the winter. Pezula was also just amazing this week." It was not only his second Origins of Golf title, but also his second win of the year, having won the FBC Zimbabwe Open in May.

Golfers come over the rise on the eighth hole at Pezula. Photos: Blake Linder