Defending champion Mellette Hendrikse will be hot on the heels of Indwe Risk Services Senior Open double and two-time champion Jock Wellington, who will be pursuing his third victory.
The country’s leading senior amateurs will flock to Fancourt in George for the annual Indwe Risk Services Senior Amateur Open Championship next month.
Last year, Hendrikse carded rounds of 71-70-74 at Wingate Park for a four stroke triumph, leaving LA Franklin, Morgan Phillips, and 2006 and 2008 Wellington in his wake. The 52-year-old former professional from Akasia Golf Club said he is looking forward to defend his title at the Gary Player-designed Montagu and Outeniqua courses at Africa’s premier golfing resort from 23-25 October.
“Fancourt is always a fantastic venue and the two courses should ensure another tight contest. I’m really excited to go to the Southern Cape and see how I perform down there. It is such a privilege for us to have the opportunity to still compete after 50 and I think that is why we are highly competitive. Thanks to the ongoing support from Indwe, us ‘golden oldies’ can also look forward to great competition, tight contests, an exciting atmosphere and great golfing action,” Hendrikse said.
Indwe is the title sponsor of the senior circuit’s two flagship events, the Senior Amateur Open Championship and the Senior Inter-Provincial. “Regardless of the difficult economic conditions over the last few years, Indwe has remained as loyal in their sponsorship and commitment to senior golf as the day they joined us as a sponsor in 2005,” said Senior Golf president Tim Hewan.
According to Hewan “this sponsorship greatly reduced the cost of staging our two flagship events for both the players and the host unions. Through the continued commitment, we have collectively developed the Indwe Senior Amateur Open Championship into one tournament of which we are extremely proud.”
Hewan confirmed that many of the senior circuit members have subscribed to Indwe’s short team insurance product, Essence, specifically suited to clients over 50 years. “It is a great product for the over-fifty generation, but moreover, our players are very pleased to be associated with a company that has such a long and successful history in the South Africa,” Hewan said.
“Our sincere appreciation goes to Indwe, who has ensured that our SA Open remains one of South Africa’s finest amateur golf championships.”
Peter Olyott, Managing Director at Indwe said: “We are extremely proud of our endorsement of senior golf and our role in ensuring a competitive environment for our country’s leading senior players. It is wonderful to share the success of the seniors and we are looking forward to enjoying a wonderful week of golf with these great players in the beautiful surroundings of Fancourt.”