16 - 19 NOVEMBER 2023
2022 TEAM SCORE
96.5
JC Pretorius, Selvyn Davids, James Murphy and Impi Visser from the Springbok 7's
Butch James, Swys De Bruin, Owen Nkomane, Weyers van Rensburg and Gcobani Bobo
Naeem Kola with the representative from Emirates, Wayne van Niekerk
Futhi Mtoba
WELCOME TO THE LADIES IN 2022!
The 2022 edition of the BCX Supersport Shootout – the 19th in total – heralded a move to yet another world-class venue in Fancourt, situated on the southern Cape’s beautiful Garden Route.
Leaders in business and sport came together for a weekend of fun, networking, camaraderie, competition and fund-raising, as the event went through the R30 million barrier in funds raised for its deserving beneficiaries.
The traditional pre-cursor to the main event, the ABSA Superskills Challenge, had a different twist to it, with the pairings representing rugby, soccer, cricket and the sponsors ABSA, going head-to-head over 18 holes at the incredible Links at Fancourt in a modified stableford points system, while also incorporating separate challenges in putting, nearest-the-pin and longest drive.
The individual skills were won by Graeme Watson – who defeated John Smit in a ‘putt off’ after both had holed the 40-foot putt on the Links putting green – Vernon Philander (nearest the pin at the par-3 17th hole) and Jean de Villiers, whose tee shot at the par-5 18th hole snuck past that of Bryan Habana to take the longest drive honours.
BCX Supersport Shootout debutants, Springboks Franco Mostert and Willie le Roux, were firmly in the hunt for overall honours in the ABSA Superskills event, but were unable to secure a point on the final hole, losing out by a single point to the eventual winners Ashwell Prince and Vernon Philander, ‘Big Vern’ securing vital extra points with his nearest-the-pin shot at the 17th hole.
All the participants were in awe of the layout and condition of The Links, many playing it for the first time, and were treated to an exquisite post-round dinner at Fancourt’s Manor House.
The remaining participants arrived at Fancourt on Friday, and were treated to a phenomenal gifting experience laid on by all the tournament sponsors, including their clothing for the two rounds of golf that were to follow on Fancourt’s Outeniqua course, also in superb condition.
As usual there were three separate competitions on the line; an individual net medal competition, a better-ball medal and the Ryder Cup-style competition pitting Team BCX – captained by CEO Jonas Bogoshi – against Team Supersport under the leadership of CEO Marc Jury.
For the first time in the event’s history, ladies were incorporated into the main draw, a welcome and fitting addition in the year in which South Africa celebrated its latest Major champion, Ashleigh Buhai having won the Ladies Open Championship at Muirfield.
At the welcome function, the captains were able to select three team members to join them in the dark on the first tee, with each player getting the opportunity to hit a glow-in-the-dark golf ball towards and illuminated target down the fairway. The shots drew plenty of reaction from the assembled spectators, as the ‘lumo’ golf balls were mainly sprayed left and right. However, Shaheen Vawda of BCX managed an almost arrow-straight shot to win the challenge and win the first point towards the team completion as a consequence.
The first round was played in extremely challenging conditions with strong winds and driving rain being the order of the day. Nevertheless, the players fought the conditions bravely and produced some remarkable scoring. Former Springbok Sevens player Marius Schoeman led the way in the individual competition with a net score of 1-under par, while three pairings – Schoeman and James Murphy, Thomas Abt and Bongi Mokaba, and Jim Volkwyn and Thomas Mlambo – were tied at the top in the better-ball on an impressive 6-under par. The team competition saw Supersport end the day with a narrow two-point advantage over BCX.
Saturday evening saw a wonderful gala dinner, with entertainment from the hilarious Aaron McIlroy and the charity auction conducted by Dave Usendorff. Over R1 million was raised under the hammer, after which sponsors and partners to the event dug deep with their pledges to bring the total raised on the evening to more than R3 million to be distributed to LIV Village, Gift of the Givers and the Caddy Foundation supported by Fancourt.
Sunday’s second and final round was played in perfect weather with the Fancourt estate a picture of Garden Route beauty. Both Bongi Mokaba and her partner, Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt, played superbly on the back nine to eventually run away with the better-ball title, while Thomas was a model of consistency to win the individual title.
Another brilliant Tournament of Champions ended with the team competition being tied, Captains Bogoshi and Jury hoisting the trophy together in a fitting display of unity after a weekend in which business and sport had combined to do their bit to help deserving causes. And, as always at the BCX Supersport Shootout, have a lot of fun doing it too.