Proteas power to All Africa win in Zimbabwe

27 October 2024 – The South African Protea side showed their tenacity and dug in their heels to secure a 12th continental title for the African powerhouse in the All Africa Golf Team Championship in Zimbabwe at the end of October.

After South Africa suffered their first loss in this prestigious biennial event in Egypt in 2022, Captain Jordan Burnand, supported by Ivan Verster, JP van der Walt and new cap Astin Arthur, arrived at Bulawayo Golf Club determined up to bring the trophy back to South Africa.

The quartet combined for a winning total of 21-under-par 843 over the four rounds of intense competition to triumph with a runaway 31-stroke victory over Zambia. The host nation finished in third place on 878.

“It really stung when Morocco ended our winning streak in Egypt two years ago, so we were totally committed to deliver a winning performance,” said Burnand, who made it a double celebration for South Africa after he won the Individual Competition, as well. “We made a strong statement in the opening round and that provided the base we built on for the rest of the week.”

Team South Africa opened with 209 to take the top spot, leading Zambia by five strokes and after further rounds of 209 and 214, the Proteas began the final day with an unassailable lead of 27 strokes.

“Although we had our hands on the trophy, the boys gave it their all on the final day, and their efforts were justly rewarded with a final round of 211,” said team manager Peet van Schalkwyk.

“Jordan and Ivan tied for the lead on nine-under 279 in regulation play, with Jordan winning the individual honours with an eagle on the first play-off hole. Astin really put his hand up in his first appearance for South Africa, finishing joint third with Zimbabwe’s No. 1 Michael Wallace, and JP closed out our campaign with a ninth-place overall finish.

“To came away with four top 10s, the team trophy and the individual title underlines the commitment this quartet had to restore South Africa’s proud legacy in this event. Jordy led by example, but every member of the team made a contribution to secure the win. I am incredibly proud of their performance, and of their behaviour on and off the course. They wore the green and gold with pride and were wonderful ambassadors for South Africa, who thoroughly deserved to finish in the winner’s circle.”

TEAM RESULTS
843 South Africa 209-209-214-211
874 Zambia 214-223-222-215
878 Zimbabwe 220-213-227-218
891 Mauritius 224-218-223-226
892 Egypt 221-221-226-224
896 Uganda 217-220-231-228
905 Kenya 228-221-231-225
912 Malawi 226-224-235-227
951 Eswatini 230-240-239-242
954 Gabon 225-242-245-242
964 Botswana 224-243-251-246

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS Top 10
279 Jordan Burnand RSA 70-69-70-70 (play-off)
279 Ivan Verster RSA 69-68-71-71
286 Astin Arthur RSA 70-72- 74-70; Michael Wallace 74-69-73-70
288 Issa AMR Abou Elela EGY 68-72-73-75
289 Michael Chuma ZAM 69-73-75-72; Joseph Akena UGA 68-71-75-75
290 Ludovic de Keating MAU 75-71-74-70
292 JP van der Watt RSA 72-73-73-74
294 Keegan Shutt ZIM 76-69-76-73; Folindo Rodrick MAL 74-73-75-72