Vorster and Theron heading for Royal Troon

20 May 2024 – Wesley Vorster from KwaZulu-Natal and Free Stater Ferdi Theron have played their way into the upcoming R&A 9 Hole Challenge at Royal Troon in July.

Not only will the duo fly the South African flag against the best qualifiers from the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, France and New Zealand in the unique nine-hole event, but Vorster and Theron will also attend the practice days and first two rounds of the 152nd Open Championship at the same venue.

HIGHLIGHTS

Vorster and Theron earned this once in a lifetime experience with some exceptional performances in the 2024 GolfRSA Race to the R&A 9 Hole Challenge, hosted at Mooinooi Golf Club in May.

And the South African pair should get on famously given that Eshowe Hills’ Vorster, who has a 9 Handicap Index, owns a drone company servicing the farming community and Theron, a member of Bultfontein Golf Club with a 6 Handicap Index, is a farmer specialising in maize, soya beans and sunflowers

FINAL RESULT

More than 150 golf clubs across South Africa’s 14 provinces participated in this year’s GolfRSA Race to the R&A 9 Hole Challenge series, aimed at increasing the number of nine-hole rounds played and providing clubs with an opportunity to use this competition to generate additional revenue for their facilities.

At the Regional Final Lucky Draw, a total of 32 names were drawn, and 30 hopefuls teed it up at the magnificent nine-hole course in the North West, which hosted the Platinum Classic on the Sunshine Tour from 1995 to 2013.

It’s a rare occasion that an amateur golfer can walk the hallowed fairways of Royal Troon and a layout that produced young champions such as Louis Oosthuizen, Darren Fichardt, Hennie Otto and Thomas Aiken proved the fitting setting with such a spectacular prize up for grabs.

Over two days and four rounds of nine-hole golf, 45-year-old Vorster booked his spot at the top of the leaderboard. Some fantastic golf and his overall consistency saw him finish four shots clear of Theron.

“It was a week like no other. Thank you to everyone who came together to put this amazing event on; we felt like we were playing in a major,” said Vorster, who posted rounds of 17, 19, 17 and 18 to triumph on 71 points.

“It was quite tough for us who came from the coast because greens at Mooinooi are very slick and fast, but wow, what a golf course. I really enjoyed the vibe on the course; everyone was so positive and really enjoyed themselves.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. When I got back, the whole Eshowe Golf Club turned up to celebrate my win, and I am still in shock. To go and play golf in Scotland is amazing and to get the chance to watch a Major is indescribable. This is a win I will never ever forget. Louis Oosthuizen is my golfing idol and to watch him play live is going to be great. I actually try to play like him, so this will be another great opportunity to watch and learn.”

Theron was equally consistent over the two days at Mooinooi.

Having opened with successive rounds of 16, a third-round score of 19 points elevated him into contention and his third 16-pointer was enough for the 25-year-old to edge Rowan Jacobs from Kuils River by a point.

“Never in my life did I think that I would be heading to Royal Troon. Not for playing golf. Maybe for watching but certainly never for actually playing my way there,” said the runner-up.

“It was a great experience, both on and off the course. We were treated like royalty throughout and I’m over the moon. I’m just a casual golfer, and to win this is a trip of a lifetime is unbelievable.”

He will now be walking amongst the giants of the game and is especially looking forward to watching Rory McIlroy in action.

“Last year, a lucky draw determined the South African winners but this year, they had to play their way to this trip of a lifetime. Congratulations to Wesley and Ferdi, and we trust they will enjoy this incredible experience,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn.

“We see a bright future for the GolfRSA Race to the R&A 9 Hole Challenge, not only in growing the number of nine-hole rounds but in the competitiveness of the event with such great prizes on offer.”

And it was not only the finalists who were spoiled.
The Courier Guy South Africa also delivered fabulous prizes sponsored by Cleveland Golf South Africa, Coleman Camping Gear and Equipment and Anthonij Rupert Wyne Estate to 47 lucky winners from the Regional Final Lucky Draw across the country.

“A big thank you to all our sponsors and partners who really helped us to elevate this initiative in 2024,” said GolfRSA Project Manager Paul Adams. “We were thrilled that more than 150 golf clubs participated in this year’s GolfRSA Race to the R&A 9 Hole Challenge, and I am certain that number will increase after the success of this year’s series of events.”