Standard Bank Pro-Am Series

Tandi does it again – 3 times winner in 2022 and Order of Merit winner 2022 South African female professional Tandi McCallum makes her win a memorable display of great golf after what was not her best start on day 1.Not making the top 10 after day 1 and what was unpleasant weather conditions on the tee box goes to show what experience and determination can produce. Shooting even par, Isabella van Rooyen was leading after a challenging day 1 with a tight top ten on the leaderboard with Durban’s local pro, Brittney-Fay Berger lying tied second with Kelsey Nicholas all at +2. The course greens were fast and pin positions carefully placed to make this remarkable course a challenge for the even well experienced players testing their driving skills, with cleverly placed bunkers and water hazards adding to the challenge. After day1 it was Larissa du Preez then positioned tied 6th with Kaylen Boshoff, Kim de Klerk and previous winner Nadia van der Westhuizen chasing the leaders. After a remarkable second shot from McCallum that left her putting for eagle deciding to go big and not lay up as du Preez did. NO EASY VICTORY The leaderboard fluctuated hole by hole and as quoted by Tandi, at hole 16 she stopped looking at the live scoring. Hers was no easy victory because van Rooyen and Nicholas were chasing hard and not giving room to breathe in the final round. She was just hoping and happy if she was going to end up in the top 8. It has been a city of two tales here Said McCallum after her win, ”because yesterday’s golf course was a bit more scorable and I did not capitalize on it and I chalked up lots of bogeys and no birdies, and at the end of the day i ended up outside of the top 10. Today I just had to try and shoot the best round I could, knowing that the course was going to be more difficult, overnight rain, more rain forecasted and I just had to try and shoot as close as I could to level par because the course is challenging. And I did that shooting one over par. The leaderboard kept rotating on the back nine on the 16th hole. I decided I was not going to look anymore. A Great Way to Start the Season I was going to try to finish as strong as I could and get into the clubhouse and see. As I saw the girls were just dropping scores. Getting into the playoff was very unexpected. I am ecstatic that I won the opening event. It’s a great way to start the season. I look forward to the rest. Next month is the Royal Cape Golf Course and I love it. Can’t wait to play it.” The tournament carried a purse of R600 000, The next tournament in the series will be held at Royal Cape in the Western Cape from 13 – 15th June, as the series establishes a national footprint. The Eastern Cape, Gauteng and the North West are the other three provinces that will be visited this season in what is a clear ambition to grow the series. Founded by Lifestyle Golf in partnership with the Women’s Professional Golf Association of South Africa, the series promotes women’s golf in the country while developing talent for a future in the game of golf.

Cape Town’s Isabella van Rooyen overcomes challenging weather to secure victory in the second #StandardBankProAmSeries event of 2023 held at Royal Cape Golf Club In the face of extreme weather conditions, Isabella, the determined golfer from Cape Town who only turned pro in 2022, emerged victorious in the second event of the 2023 Standard Bank Pro-am Series. Battling against one of Cape Town’s wettest winter days, marked by flooding and bone-chilling cold, van Rooyen showcased her exceptional skills and hunger for another win. With the tournament taking place on June 14 & 15th, all eyes were on the course as players teed off amidst the challenging weather. Tandi McCallum, who had recently claimed her fourth win at Cotswold Downs Estate, and Bredenhann, who was fiercely vying for her second win in the Standard Bank Pro-am Series, posed formidable competition for van Rooyen. UNWAVERING DETERMINATION & FOCUS However, it was her unwavering determination and focus that set her apart on the day. Asking van Rooyen what her strategy was, “knowing the course really well and to make as little mistakes as possible” she also had the following to say, “ I prefer coastal courses because I grew up here in the Cape and I know how to play in the wind and the rain. I also practice in this kind of weather and I wasn’t too worried about the weather.” As the event progressed, the weather conditions proved to be an additional obstacle for the players. The course at the oldest golf club in the country, Royal Cape, was drenched from the relentless rain, flooding some fairways whilst the manicured greens withstood the onslaught.The extreme cold only added to the already demanding situation, testing the mental and physical resilience of the golfers. Despite the adverse conditions, Isabella van Rooyen demonstrated her exceptional prowess and strategic play, making calculated shots and showcasing her versatility. As the round progressed, van Rooyen steadily climbed up the leaderboard, consistently displaying her hunger for victory.Tandi McCallum, with her recent winning streak, was expected to maintain her top form and dominate the tournament. Bredenhann, equally determined to secure a win, fiercely competed with her fellow golfers. AN INTENSE BATTLE… The battle for the top spot was intense, with each player striving to outperform the others amidst the inclement weather. In the final stages of the second round, it was Isabella van Rooyen who demonstrated unwavering resilience and unyielding focus. Her strategic shot-making and mental fortitude ultimately propelled her to victory. With every swing, van Rooyen showcased her hunger for success, leaving no room for doubt about her determination to secure the win. Asking van Rooyen how she planned to build onto her next event, “ I will take it one tournament at a time and play as well as I possibly can on the day.” BACK TO BACK REMARKABLE VICTORIES The 2023 Standard Bank Pro-am Series at Royal Cape will be remembered not only for the challenging weather conditions but also for Isabella van Rooyens’s remarkable victory, her second in the Series. The tournament carries a purse of R600 000. The next tournament in the series will be held at Bryanston in the Gauteng from 4-6th July, as the series establishes a national footprint, KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga are the other provinces that will be visited this season in what is a clear ambition to grow the series. Founded by Lifestyle Golf in partnership with the Women’s Professional Golf Association of South Africa The series promotes women’s golf in the country while developing talent for a future in the game of golf.