THE Pro-Am, a curtain raiser for the 2022 Joburg Open, got underway earlier today at Houghton Golf Club, the tournament’s new home.
Former Sunshine Tour Executive Director Selwyn Nathan, Houghton Golf Club President Rodney Rottanburg, Stephen Nale of the City, and professional golfer Hennie Du Plessis teed off at 10am to start the Joburg Open Pro-Am made of 90 amateurs paired with 30 professionals playing in a four-ball alliance.
They were followed by George Coetzee, a former Joburg Open winner, paired with former Joburg City Manager Mavela Dlamini, Nick Sfarnas and Daisy Daniel.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Mpho Phalatse, will hit the opening tee shot to officially start the tournament on Thursday. This major sporting event will see a total 156 local and international golfers battle it out for a total purse of R17.5 million at Houghton Golf Club from 24 to 27 November 2022.
Thriston Lawrence, who last year won the Joburg Open and established South African golf history by being the first champion of the DP World Tour’s new era, has vowed to defend his title.
He was paired with Bongi Duma, Mzolisi Nkumanda and Raven Shabe at first tee at 12:20. The young South African professional has been a perfect example of the Joburg Open’s status as a tournament that opens international doors for its winners.
Lawrence’s victory qualified him for his first Major, the historic 150th Open Championship in St. Andrews this year, where he tied for 42nd place. When Lawrence triumphed at the Omega European Masters in July this year, he gained a second DP World Tour victory.
Richard Sterne, who took home the trophy in 2008 and 2013, was one of the heavyweights paired with Ka Shabangu, General Solly Shoke, the former chief of the South African Defence Force and Sipho Thwala.
Bongi Mokaba, the Tournament’s Promoter and Director of events management at the City of Johannesburg, admitted that while she was a little concerned when the weather caused them to stop, however, she was pleased the Pro-Am went through after an hour delay and proceeded to finish.
