G
golfeditor
Guest
GolfRSA National Squad duo Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard successfully defended their titles in the 2024 First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate; credit Rassell Kamanga | NRTV Zimbabwe.
14 April 2024 – Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard showcased remarkable skill and composure to defend their titles at the First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open in Harare in April.
The GolfRSA National Squad duo broke through on the international stage in their debut appearances in the event hosted by the Zimbabwe Junior Golf Association at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate.
In the 2023 edition, Valentine birdied the first play-off hole to edge countryman Ethan Fichardt after the pair tied on two-over-par 218 in regulation play, while Millard won by seven strokes from fellow GolfRSA National Squad member Phenyo Sebata.
This year Valentine came under pressure again in a tough-scoring final round from fellow squad member Johndre Ludick, but the Eastern Province teenager held his nerve to clinch a two-stroke victory on seven-under 209.
GolfRSA National Squad member Devon Valentine and successfully defended the 2024 First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate; credit Murimbechi
Valentine, who lagged three off the pace after an opening one-under-par 71, produced an impressive bogey-free seven-under 65 on his 18th birthday to vault into the second-round lead. He was three shots clear of fellow South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) player Mitch Phigeland, with Ludick a further shot adrift.
After a birdie-birdie start, Valentine made amends for a bogey at the third with a birdie on the par-4 fourth, but he dropped a further three shots in his first three holes after turning on two under. He stemmed the bleeding with a birdie on the short 13th and, after bogeys on the 15th and 17th, he finished in style with a birdie to secure the win with a final-round 73.
“I wouldn’t say it was any easier to win this year, but I’m really proud that I got the job done,” said Valentine. “The conditions were tough in the final round, and the pressure was on from Johndre. I just stayed in the moment and shrugged off the bogeys, and that was key to the win. I’m very grateful to GolfRSA for the opportunity and proud that I could step up and validate the trust they put in me.”
Ludick closed with a round of 71 to finish second, while South Africa’s Jayden Hoskins – another star of the SAGDB – tied for third on four under. Phigeland’s final-round 75 earned the Western Province junior a share of sixth with Zimbabwe’s top-ranked junior Keegan Shutt.
Meanwhile, Millard also made a slow start and began the final round three strokes behind pacesetter Sebata on one under.
Two-time First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open champion Charlotte Millard with Womens Golf South Africa president Susan Andrew; credit Jeffrey Murimbechi
The Central Gauteng player charged into the lead with a trio of birdies on the outward nine, but she opened the door for compatriot Olivia Wood with three bogeys coming home. Millard set the clubhouse target on two-over 218 with a 72, but KwaZulu-Natal’s Wood birdied the closing hole for 73 to force a play-off.
Millard saved her best for the second trip down the 18th and boxed a birdie putt to close the door on Wood.
“I made it a lot tougher on myself this year,” said the delighted Millard. “It’s such a great tournament; it’s very well organised and the course is a proper challenge. Olivia and Phenyo played some incredible golf, and I had to dig really deep to pull it through. It’s an honour to be the champion in successive years, and to do South Africa proud on the world stage.”
GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn applauded the champions and competitors.
“We are extremely proud of Devon and Charlotte,” he said. “It is especially impressive considering the level of competition from 10 different countries. Their victories not only highlight their individual talent but also speak volumes about the strength of South Africa’s junior golf programme.
The GolfRSA Junior Team celebrate with back-to-back champions Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard at the 2024 First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate; credit Rassell Kamanga | NRTV Zimbabwe.
“It is also commendable that the GolfRSA Junior Team performed so well overall, with eight out of 12 players finishing in the top 20. Such experiences undoubtedly contribute significantly to their growth and development as players. It’s wonderful to see initiatives like the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture grant supporting these young athletes in gaining international exposure and honing their skills. Kudos to all involved, including the organisers and hosts, for making the tournament a success.”
“It’s also commendable that the GolfRSA Junior Team performed so well overall, with eight out of 12 players finishing in the top 20. Such experiences undoubtedly contribute significantly to their growth and development as players. It’s wonderful to see initiatives like the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture grant supporting these young athletes in gaining international exposure and honing their skills. Kudos to all involved, including the organizers and hosts, for making the tournament a success.”
RESULTS
ROUND 3 OVERALL LEADERBOARD (TOP 20)
209 (-7) Devon Valentine 71 65 73
211 (-5) Johndre Ludick 70 70 71 (2nd)
212 (-4) Jayden Hoskins 68 72 72; Jules Haessig SUI 70 70 72 (T-3)
213 (-3) Vincent Chidambazina ZIM 74 72 67 (5th)
214 (-2) Mitch Phigeland 68 71 75; Keegan Shutt ZIM 71 69 74 (T-6)
216 (lvl) Michael Chuma ZAM 73 75 68; Shiije Li CHI 71 69 76 (T-8)
218 (+2) Charlotte Millard 74 72 72; Olivia Wood 72 73 73; Marno Lange 69 75 74 (T-10)
219 (+3) Phenyo Sebata 69 74 76; Vuyisani Makama 72 76 71; Munesu Chimhini ZIM 76 72 71 (T-13)
220 (+4) Tawana Mangoma ZIM 71 75 74 (16th)
222 (+6) Jasmine Furstenburg 74 72 76; Ibrahim Ssemakula UGA 73 74 75 (T-17)
224 (+8) Ryan Mellville 70 76 78 (19th)
225 (+9) Zinan Maimane 72 76 75; Morgan Allison 76 77 72 (T-20)
ROUND 3 BOYS LEADERBOARD (top 10)
209 (-7) Devon Valentine 71 65 73
211 (-5) Johndre Ludick 70 70 71 (2nd)
212 (-4) Jayden Hoskins 68 72 72; Jules Haessig SUI 70 70 72 (T-3)
213 (-3) Vincent Chidambazina ZIM 74 72 67 (5th)
214 (-2) Mitch Phigeland 68 71 75; Keegan Shutt ZIM 71 69 74 (T-6)
216 (lvl) Michael Chuma ZAM 73 75 68; Shiije Li CHI 71 69 76 (T-8)
218 (+2) Marno Lange 69 75 74 (10th)
ROUND 3 GIRLS LEADERBOARD (top 10)
218 (+2) Charlotte Millard 74 72 72 (play-off)
218 (+2) Olivia Wood 72 73 73 (2nd)
219 (+3) Phenyo Sebata 69 74 76 (3rd)
222 (+6) Jasmine Furstenburg 74 72 76 (4th)
226 (+10) Kamaya Moodliar 75 74 77 (5th)
229 (+13) Tylah James 77 78 74 (6th)
231 (+15) Yixuan Mu CHI 76 79 (76 (7th)
232 (+16) Miriam Masiya ZIM 77 78 77 (8th)
243 (+27) Jaden Visagie 78 87 78 (8th)
246 (+30) Maru Chokwe BOT 83 82 82 (10th)
The post GolfRSA Juniors double up in Zimbabwe Junior Open appeared first on Golf RSA.
Continue reading...