Nethunzwi claims maiden BET win

Member of the Gary Player Class of 2017-18 Musiwalo Nethunzwi claimed his first win on the Sunshine Big Easy Tour when he defeated Zimbabwe’s Greg Bentley on the first playoff hole in the final round of the BET Glendower event on Wednesday.

After sharing top spot on six-under-par, both players had a chance to claim a memorable maiden victory via the playoff hole but there was always going to be one winner. “I am so happy,” Nethunzwi said after his winning putt, “This is my first win on the Sunshine Tour and to win in front of my friends and those who support is great because it shows how much they believe in me.”

He credits the boot camp that was held for members of the Gary Player Class of 2017-18 a fortnight ago for his improved short game which delivered him his maiden victory as a professional golfer. “That boot camp was something special,” he said, “and you could see from many of the guys that were there; Omar, Jacquin, Sipho, these guys are playing good golf and for me, it has helped me the last few weeks. So, the boot camp was really helpful because you can even see the results.”

The Gary Player Class of 2017 is the Sunshine Tour’s main development squad for previously disadvantaged professional golfers and benefits from the longstanding and continued support of the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB), that was founded in 1999 as the official body for golf development in South Africa, as well as the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation (EEFF) in the collective effort to use golf to improve the lives of disadvantaged South Africans.

Nethunzwi is a graduate of the SAGDB, and as a member of this developmental squad, has been showing vast improvement in his game and the win at Glendower shows a player who has come full circle.

Bentley will have to wait a while longer for his maiden win on the circuit. Nethunzwi’s squad member in the GPC programme, Jacquin Hess, came third; tied with amateur Christo Lamprecht who was also impressive this week.

With a first win in the bag, Nethunzwi will look forward to the main tour’s events brimming with confidence after such a solid display at the home of the BMW SA Open.