Players had to bring their A-game the past weekend for the first open tournament of the year that was hosted on the greens of the Soutpansberg Golf Club.

The Soutpansberg Open was the first open tournament on the Limpopo Golf Union's 2016 calendar.

From the word go the battle was on from 06:00 as the first players teed off. The early leader after the first nine holes was the 25-year-old Kameeldoring Golf Club member Anthony Hawken with a two-under-par 34. He was followed by Neil Rathman with a one-over-par 37.

As the day passed, the scores seemed to improve, with local golfer Kobus Barkhuizen Jnr recording a hard-fought level par 36 after his first nine holes. Another local, the 17-year old Pieter Guillaume, stunned everyone when he took the lead with a three-under-par 33 for his first nine.

As the afternoon’s nine holes commenced, it seemed as if the Soutpansbergers were going to walk away with the tournament in the bag. However, after 18 holes, the situation changed a bit and it looked like experience would be the overall winner as Pieter dropped to a still-very-respectable level par 72.

Anthony came in with a 40 to give him a two-over-par 18-hole score. Local mid-amateur player Jay van der Walt came in with a 32 to also finish level par 72 with Pieter and fellow mid-amateur Kobus Jnr.

“Pieter and Jay still fought hard to keep the trophy at home, but Neil and Anthony still had something to say,” remarked a representative of the Limpopo Golf Union, Mr Jean Sadie.

Anthony eventually cleared himself from the pack with tremendous iron play, and a great display of putting on just-as-great greens to shoot a final nine-hole score of 33 to give him an 18-hole total of 67 and a 36-hole total of 141 - a three-under-par, four-shot victory over Jay, who had to call it a day at 145.

“This was overall a great open tournament and the Soutpansberg Golf Club can be very proud off themselves,” said Jean.

The Limpopo Golf Union, who kindly compiled this event report, wants to encourage everyone in the province to take part in these Open Tournaments. More information can be found on their website at www.limpopogolfunion.co.za or by contacting Jean at 072 207 1139. The next open tournament will be hosted in Tzaneen on 13 February.