GolfRSA rising stars heading for Zim Junior Open

Twelve rising stars from the GolfRSA National Squad and South African Golf Development Board will be competing in the 2024 First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open from 12 – 14 April 2024 at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club in Harare, thanks to funding from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture; credit GolfRSA.

10 April 2024 – Defending champions Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard will headline the GolfRSA Junior Team in the 2024 First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open from 12 – 14 April.

The popular international event will once again be played at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club in Harare, where last year Valentine defeated compatriot Ethan Fichardt in a play-off to win the Boys Division and Millard won the Girl’s Competition by a whopping seven shots from fellow GolfRSA National Squad member Ellandri van Heerden.

“Our Junior Team performed very well last year and, thanks to funding we received from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to expand our development programme, we are excited to send an even larger group to Zimbabwe this year,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn.

“To be able to compete outside the country’s borders can be life-changing. We wish the group of 12 juniors from the GolfRSA National Squad and the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) a great campaign. Make the most of this wonderful opportunity to gain valuable international experience against top juniors from Africa and abroad.”

2023 First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open winners Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard; credit GolfRSA

In addition to Valentine from Eastern Province and Millard from Central Gauteng, Mitch Phigeland is also making his second appearance. The Western Province junior finished 13th in the 2023 edition.

The first-timers include KwaZulu-Natal pair Olivia Wood and Kamaya Moodliar, Eastern Province’s Johndre Ludick, Central Gauteng’s Tylah James and Vuyisani Makama, Jasmine Furstenburg from Southern Cape, Phenyo Sebata from Gauteng North and Western Province duo Jaden Visagie and Zayaan Hendricks.

Womens Golf South Africa President Susan Andrew and SAGDB manager for Border, Millie Dondashe Zim, will be travelling with the group.

In addition to the 27-strong group from South African, the field of 68 juniors will include youngsters from Botswana, China, France, Ghana, Malawi, the Republic of China, Switzerland, Uganda, Zambia and the host nation.

GolfRSA National Squad members Marno Lange and Zinan Maimane, who finished fourth and respectively in 2023, are also lining in Harare, as well as Zimbabwe’s top-ranked Keegan Shutt, who fired a course record 10-under-par 62 at Leopard Creek during the Africa Amateur Championship in February.