In total 76 amateur golfers, who had qualified at the regional eliminations across the country over the past six months, converged in Durban and played their hearts out for the top two positions of their flighting in order to qualify for a team SA placement.
This year the national final was played over two different golf courses to even the playing fields. Cotswold Downs presented the opening challenge on day one and left many golfers wiping the sweat off their brow as they returned to the clubhouse. However, dreams of competing at the world final overshadowed any doubts and brought about a renewed confidence to tackle the undulating challenges of Durban Country Club for the home stretch on day two. An overcast but dry early dawn tee-off with a light breeze brought some relief to calm the nerves, but in the end only ten spots could be filled and the top two golfers of each flighting received their esteemed places in the 2013 Team South Africa 1 and 2.
"The two-day play-off went extremely well and the mint condition of both courses offered the golfers an exceptional experience for the SA Final. This year's countrywide search for the best in amateur golf has brought some fantastic talent to the championship. For the past two years Team South Africa has led the field at the outset of the World Final and finished in second and third place overall, with individual flighting victories to our name as well. After watching our selected players emerge through the elimination rounds, we are confident of a home victory this year," said Craig Clay-Smith, spokesperson for World Golf Events South Africa.
After securing the hosting of the World Golfers Championship World Final for a three-year period, 2011 to 2013, World Golf Events South Africa is ready for the arrival of up to 50 countries and more than 400 golfers from all over the world for the final hosting in KwaZulu-Natal from 26 October to 2 November.
The golfers who will represent South Africa are Grant Olivier, Pierre Smith, Nundhkumar Maharaj, Kiran Kissoon, Obie Oberholzer, Mark Roux, Andries Claassens, Ganas Naicker, Leon vd Walt and Ajith Ghareeb.
