Gallery
GEORGE NEWS - Kingswood Golf Estate hosted some of South Africa’s leading young golfers from 28 to 30 September for the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT DATA) U15 and U19 Junior Open, with local golfer Jordan Groenewald claiming the U19 title.
It was the first time the full three-day tournament, an official GolfRSA junior fixture, was played at Kingswood.
The tournament, that forms part of GolfRSA’s competitive pathway for junior golfers, attracted players from clubs across South Africa.
Groenewald takes U19 title
Kingswood resident and club member Jordan Groenewald produced three consistent rounds to secure the U19 title. He carded rounds of 68, 70 and 69 for a three-round total of 207.
Benjamin Weber of East London Golf Club finished second after rounds of 70, 70 and 69 for a total of 209, while Alexander Frankel of Devonvale Golf Estate placed third on 216.
Hat-trick for Combrinck
The U15 title went to Aiden Combrinck of Serengeti Golf Club, who recorded rounds of 72, 77 and 70 to finish on 219.
The victory completed a hat-trick for Combrinck following wins in the Nomads Gowrie Farm U15 Challenge and Fortress Invitational U15 Challenge.
Josh Moolman of Woodhill Country Club finished second, while Demyan Burczak of Cotswold Downs Lifestyle Centre took third place.
Groenewald, Combrinck, Weber and Frankel are also members of GolfRSA’s 2026/27 Men’s National Squad.
Testing conditions at Kingswood
GolfRSA’s manager for transformation and tournaments, Greg de Doncker, said playing all three days at Kingswood gave competitors an opportunity to become accustomed to the course and greens, although strong winds made conditions particularly challenging.
“The course played long because of the conditions. Over the first two days we had wind that we seldom experience around here,” he said.
De Doncker, who has been involved with the tournament for about 10 years, described the conditions as among the most testing he had experienced during that period. Despite this, he said players enjoyed the course, which was in excellent condition, with the greens performing particularly well.
He commended Kingswood greenskeeper Ivan van Heerden and his team, as well as golf director Dean le Vieux, assistant golf director Tim Steynberg and golf co-ordinator Kayleigh King for their contribution to the tournament.
“The parents loved the facility; they loved the vibe. From a facility point of view, it’s probably one of the better facilities that we’ve been at,” De Doncker said.
He added that GolfRSA was looking forward to returning to Kingswood.
GolfRSA has signed a three-year hosting agreement with Kingswood Golf Estate for the NTT DATA U15 and U19 tournament, meaning the national junior event is set to return to George over the next two years.
- Compiled by Marguerite van Ginkel
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