Royal Portrush beckons for Shepherd & Botha

15 April 2025 – Daryl Shepherd from KwaZulu-Natal will be walking the fairways of Royal Portrush Golf Club – the same course where legends and global stars of the game have competed in pursuit of glory – after he reigned supreme in the third GolfRSA Race to The R&A 9 Hole Challenge.

Rounds of 12, 18, 16 and 14 that shot the Simbithi Country Club star to the summit on 60 points, earned Shepherd a start in the 2025 R&A 9 Hole Challenge.

Barend Botha, who plays out of Knysna Golf Club, lost out by a single point after recording rounds of 17, 14, 9 and 19, but the Southern Cape amateur will not rue the loss.

Both top two finishers secured their spots in the final at Royal Portrush, where they will tee it up alongside with the winning teams from Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales.

Besides the honour of flying the flag for South Africa the nine-hole net Stableford scoring competition ahead of the 153rd Open Championship in Northern Ireland from 17-20 July, the local pairing will also earn the opportunity to watch the world’s best golfers in action at The Open.

Congratulations to our 2025 winners and a big shoutout to all our finalists – it was an absolute pleasure to host you at Mooinooi Golf Club.

A big congratulations to all the clubs across the country who participated in the GolfRSA Race to The R&A 9 Hole Challenge!

Your enthusiasm and commitment not only produced an outstanding group of finalists, but also played a vital role in helping GolfRSA grow and promote the game of golf throughout South Africa. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the sport!

2025 GolfRSA Race to The R&A 9 Hole Challenge FINAL RESULT

60 Daryn Shepherd (Simbithi CC) 12, 18, 16, 14
59 Barend Botha (Knysna GC) 17, 14, 9, 19
58 Chris Carelsen (Selborne Park GC) 13, 15, 20, 10
58 Marthinus Thomas (Mooinooi GC) 13, 13, 16, 16
57 Millie Dondashe (East London GC) 12, 13, 15, 17
57 Dylan Brouwer (Middelburg GC) 15, 14, 12, 16
56 Arthur Moolman (Mbombela GC) 12, 16, 16, 12
56 Admire Mhondiwa (Ba-Phalaborwa GC) 18, 12, 13, 13
54 Bennet de Wee (Ladismith GC) 15, 12, 12, 15
53 Chappies Behrens (Thabazimbi GC) 11, 16, 13, 13
53 Mario Ebersohn (Jan Kempdorp GC) 8, 12, 15, 18
52 Mia Rossouw (Schoeman Park GC) 19, 9, 8, 16
52 Stefan Nel (Centurion CC) 12, 13, 11, 16
50 Casandra Wearne (Parow GC) 12, 12, 10, 16
47 Johan Greyling (Jeffrey’s Bay GC) 11, 16, 13, 7
46 Talli de Wet (Erinvale CC) 15, 11, 9, 11
46 Marius du Plessis (Vaal de Grace GE) 10, 11, 10, 15
45 Stephen Reynolds (ERPM GC) 11, 9, 13, 12
44 Chris Hammond (Maclear GC) 10, 12, 13, 9
43 Lucian Johaar (CMR GC) 9, 11, 14, 9
43 Johan Hildebrand (Ermelo GC) 11, 10, 9, 13
40 Barry Steen (Kyalami CC) 12, 5, 10, 13
39 Dave Raw (Kokstad GC) 9, 12, 13, 5
39 Jose Cardoso (Helderberg Village GC) 9, 11, 12, 7
39 Jaco de Jager (Walmer GC) 12, 11, 9, 7
39 Stuart Halvorsen (Malmesbury GC) 12, 9, 15, 3
34 Oubaas Kirsten (Darling GC) 10, 10, 6, 8