Seniors gear up for Indwe Risk Services Senior Open
The country’s leading senior amateurs will flock to Fancourt in George this October for the annual Indwe Risk Services Senior Amateur Open Championship.
Defending champion Mellette Hendrikse will be hunting an Indwe Risk Services Senior Open double and three-time champion Jock Wellington will pursue his fourth championship victory at Africa’s premier golfing resort from 23-25 October.
Hendrikse carded rounds of 71-70-74 for a four stroke triumph at Wingate Park last year, leaving LA Franklin, Morgan Phillips, and 2006 and 2008 Wellington in his wake. The 52-year-old former professional from Akasia Golf Club is looking forward to his title defence at the Gary Player-designed Montagu and Outeniqua courses.
“Fancourt is always a fantastic venue and the two courses should ensure another tight contest,” he said. “I’m really excited to go to the Southern Cape and see how I perform down there. It is such a privilege for us to have the opportunity to still compete after 50 and I think that is why we are highly competitive. “Thanks to the ongoing support from Indwe, us ‘golden oldies’ can also look forward to great competition, tight contests, an exciting atmosphere and great golfing action.”
Indwe is the title sponsor of the senior circuit’s two flagship events, the Senior Amateur Open Championship and the Senior Inter-Provincial.
“Regardless of the difficult economic conditions over the last few years, Indwe has remained as loyal in their sponsorship and commitment to senior golf as the day they joined us as a sponsor in 2005,” said Senior Golf chairman Tim Hewan.
According to Hewan, the sponsorship greatly reduced the cost of staging the two flagship events for both the players and the host unions.
“Through the continued commitment, we have collectively developed the Indwe Senior Amateur Open Championship into one tournament of which we are extremely proud,” Hewan said.
Hewan confirmed that many of the senior circuit members have subscribed to Indwe’s short team insurance product, Essence, specifically suited to clients over 50 years.
“It is a great product for the over-fifty generation, but moreover, our players are very pleased to be associated with a company that has such a long and successful history in the South Africa.
“Our sincere appreciation goes to Indwe, who has ensured that our SA Open remains one of South Africa’s finest amateur golf championships.”
Peter Olyott, Managing Director at Indwe said: “We are extremely proud of our endorsement of senior golf and our role in ensuring a competitive environment for our country’s leading senior players. It is wonderful to share the success of the seniors and we are looking forward to enjoying a wonderful week of golf with these great players in the beautiful surroundings of Fancourt.”