Flying the flag in Finland

29 August 2024 – Five of South Africa’s leading university students represented the country in the 2024 FISU World University Championship Golf, which was held in Finland in August.

GolfRSA National Squad member JP van der Watt and South African Golf Development Board graduate Crystal Beukes made their second appearance, having flown for South Africa in the 2022 edition in Italy, while Wiehan van der Walt, Tiaan Tibsshraeny and Anita Chen made their debut in the world-class biennial event.

Ruuhikoski Golf Club and the region of Kuortane-Seinäjoki proved to be an excellent host for the world’s best university golfers. A beautiful, Nordic setting and a challenging course brought the best out in the 87 golfers that participated from 20 countries.

Van der Walt from the University of Pretoria led the scoring for the South African men’s team. The Tuks student fired rounds of 74, 73, 74 and 72 to tie for 14th on five-over 293

Van der Watt finished a further shot back in joint 16th, while fellow Nelson Mandela University student Tibsshraeny ended his campaign in 37th place.

Beukes finished 34th in the women’s competition, and Anita Chen – also a student at Stellenbosch University – end in 41st place.

The highest ranked male and female golfers in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) competing at the challenging links both proved their mettle, coming out on top at the Ruuhikoski Golf Club.

The winner of the men’s competition was Pablo Ereno Perez from Spain, who led the field on eight-under-par 280. Anna Zanusso from Italy was the overall women’s competition winner on three-under 285.

Spain also celebrated a double triumph in the men’s and women’s team competitions. The South African men placed ninth overall and the women 15th.