George Coetzee successfully defended his title at the recent Vodacom Origins of Golf tournament at De Zalze Golf Club, Stellenbosch.
The tournament took place from 4 to 6 August. It was the first in a series of four Vodacom-sponsored golf tournaments which form part of the 2022 Sunshine Tour schedule.
George Coetzee holds the trophy after winning the Vodacom Origins of Golf at De Zalze Golf Club, Stellenbosch. Coetzee carded rounds of 61, 67 and 67 on his way to a two stroke victory at 21-under-par. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
Coetzee finished two strokes ahead of England’s Joe Long.
The win marked Coetzee’s 13th victory on the Sunshine Tour and his first win since his triumph at De Zalze one year ago, according to the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) website.
“The goal this week was to play some better golf than I have the last year or so. Obviously defending my title – it’s the first time I’ve done that since club champs back in the day. So, it’s nice to tick that box off,” said Coetzee, in an interview during the trophy presentation.
De Zalze Golf Club is located along the R44 in Stellenbosch, directly opposite the Stellenbosch Square shopping centre. The course hosted the Vodacom Origins of Golf at De Zalze from 4 to 6 August. The tournament is set to return to the venue in the future, according to tournament organisers. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
A close battle
Coetzee began the final round with a two stroke lead over Long. After he opened with a front nine of 31 (-5), the lead had been stretched to four.
On the back nine, Long birdied holes 13, 14 and 16 to cut Coetzee’s lead to one stroke. Both players made par on 17, giving Coetzee a one stroke lead heading into the final hole of the tournament.
Coetzee made par on the 18th, which secured him a two stroke victory.
“I had to just keep laying up and making sure that I didn’t make silly mistakes. Joe just kept at it and it was a great battle down the stretch,” said Coetzee, in the interview.
Joe Long finished in second place at the Vodacom Origins of Golf at De Zalze Golf Club, Stellenbosch. Long, who comes from England, carded rounds of 68, 62 and 67 to finish two strokes behind George Coetzee. “I know this course quite well and I love Stellenbosch. It’s my favourite place,” said Long. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
Making strides
Long’s second place finish is his best result to date as a professional golfer, according to the OWGR website.
“It’s great for my confidence. I’ve been in a bit of a slump for probably the last two months. I linked up with my old coach back in the UK and just kind of stuck to the basics. So, yeah, to get second place here is great,” said Long.
“I’m kind of local to here as my girlfriend’s from Somerset West. So, I know this course quite well and I love Stellenbosch. It’s my favourite place,” said Long.
Kyle Barker came third after shooting a final round 66, which equalled the best round of the day.
“It’s my best finish on the Sunshine Tour, so I’m really proud of myself and chuffed with the way I played this week,” said Barker.
Kyle Barker (right) pictured with his caddie Sergio Muradzikwa (left) during the final round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf at De Zalze Golf Club, Stellenbosch. Barker finished in third place, shooting a 66 in the final round to finish at 15-under-par for the tournament. “It’s my best finish on the Sunshine Tour, so I’m really proud of myself and chuffed with the way I played this week,” said Barker. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
A team effort
The live scoring at Sunshine Tour events is made possible through volunteers from Nomads, according to Richard Daneel, co-ordinator for Nomads, a non-profit organisation.
“We had 12 [volunteers] on the first day, 12 on the second day and 23 today,” said Daneel.
The Sunshine Tour pays Nomads for their services but this money goes towards “the furtherance of golf amongst the people of South Africa”, said Daneel. “The whole pillar of Nomads is to support the communities, so we do a lot of fundraising.”