A HISTORIC moment awaits Namibia’s top amateur golfers as they are set to compete in the first-ever All-Africa Junior Amateur Championship this week.
The tournament, which will take place at Benoni Country Club in the Gauteng province, South Africa, will start tomorrow and run until Friday. The R&A- sponsored tournament will offer young golfers a rare opportunity to showcase their talents.
Namibia will be represented by four golfers, Charles Lohmann, Connor Gibson, Kyle Johnson and Samuel Nel. The tournament will also feature the African Amateur Women’s Invitation, running alongside the mens' main event.
Sixteen countries are set to compete in the upcoming tournament, which will also mark a major milestone in the development of amateur golf on the continent, as it’s set to provide a platform for promising golfers on the continent to compete and learn from each other, while providing a pathway for them to pursue professional careers.
Brenda Len, the secretary general of Namibia Golf Federation, said this is a huge opportunity for the young golfers to showcase and hone their skills.
“This is a great opportunity for the young golfers to showcase their skills, as they will face other amateur golfers from other African countries. I believe this will provide them massive exposure, especially playing at that stage, and it will also give them hope in terms of their careers. The tournament will give them hope as they have something to play for,” she said.
In terms of readiness and their target, Lens said: “The team has trained for the past three months to hone their skills and improve their shooting skills in readiness for this tournament. Despite this being the first of its kind, we believe with the confidence gained by these boys over the last couple of months, I can assure you that we will do well and reach the finals.”
According to the continental golf governing
body, Africa Golf Federation, all expenses are catered for, and the winner of the men’s competition will earn exemption into the 152nd Open of Royal Troon, one of the oldest amateur tournaments in the world, which will take place from 14 to 21 July this year in Scotland.
Meanwhile, the winner of the women’s tournament will earn a place in the Women’s Amateur Championships, final qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open and the Investec South Africa Women’s Open 2024, and the Lalla Meryem Cup and the Kenya Ladies Open next year. - mkambukwe@nepc.com.na