Keenan Davidse’s run of good form continued at the 2017 Zimbabwe Open at the weekend where he finished tied at 22nd to become the highest finisher among the squad members of the Gary Player Class of 2017-18.
Sharing that spot with Jared Harvey, CJ du Plessis and Bryce Easton at three-under 285, Davidse marked his return to Zimbabwe with a fine display. Rounds of 67-72-75-71 not only ensured he made the cut in the season-opener, but it gave him a top-25 finish.
Lindani Ndwandwe and Jacquin Hess were the second-highest finishers from that squad. They shared 32nd with Zimbabwe’s Ryan Cairns, Merrick Bremner, Rhys Enoch and rookie Martin Rohwer at one-under 287 while Toto Thimba Jr finished in a share of 42nd. Musiwalo Nethunzwi finished sharing 47th spot to mark a steady start to the season for the new group of players.
The Sunshine Tour’s objective of ensuring previously disadvantaged enter and play more tournaments through the Gary Player Class of 2017-18 initiative is being realised. This is because 16 of the 23-man squad were part of the field in the first tournament of the season. And of that 16, seven made the cut. Heinrich Bruiners (54th) and new member of the squad James Kamte (67th) finished outside of the top-50.
Those who failed to make the cut at Royal Harare included veteran Omar Sandys, Makhetha Mazibuko, Altaaf Bux, Mikhail Tewary, Sipho Bujela, Dwayne Basson, Thanda Mavundla, Irvin Mazibuko and Gerard du Plooy.
Such a start is encouraging for the supporters of the Gary Player initiative because it is building from last season’s improvements. Players like Mazibuko, Nethunzwi and Davidse finished the last season playing some solid golf and to see that carry through into the new season will give extra motivation to the rest of the squad.
The next stop is the Zambia Sugar Open to be held at Lusaka Golf Club and these players will have yet another opportunity to shine while players like Mazibuko and Davidse, in particular, will look to improve so they can establish themselves as a genuine threat in every tournament.
Photo: Petri Oeschger/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images
