The 16th Golfissimes Voyages South Africa Pro-Am ended a few days ago and was once again a real plebiscite of all the happy participants. Having become a real institution over the years, its success cannot be denied. Philippe Heuzé, the creator of the event, spoke to swing-feminin behind the scenes of this last edition ...

Report of the 16th South African Pro-Am

© Philippe Heuzé / Voyages Golfissimes

In June, I traveled to Johannesburg to choose the courses that would host our signature event for the first time, and I am satisfied with my choices at the time. It must be admitted that the economic capital of the country was an excellent first step and that the collection of courses brought together was certainly one of the most beautiful in fifteen years.

Glendower, Blair Atholl and Royal Johannesburg “East” gave a lot of emotions to the 48 participants; the length of the courses (around 6400 meters for amateurs), the extremely manicured quality of the maintenance, the speed of the greens and the luxuriant vegetation in the heart of the southern summer all contributed to the general satisfaction.

The Michelangelo hotel, was our base for these few days in the center of Sandton, on the famous Mandela Square where all went to pose at the foot of the statue of Madiba. Once the image was recorded, we took the road back to the famous Sun City complex just over two hours away.

There, it was at the mythical Palace of Lost City that the Pro-Am caravan would take up residence. The golden luxury of the decor, the gardens, the swimming pools and many activities of Sun City were ideal to fill the free moments after having savored these two exceptional courses which are the Gary Player Country Club and the Lost City Golf Course, the one and the other drawn by Gary Player, just like Blair Athol.

Report of the 16th South African Pro-Am

© Philippe Heuzé / Voyages Golfissimes

On a sporting level, the fight was fierce between the teams of Rodolphe Berrubé and William Hees; while in gross, the Bonutto family team with Romain Béchu was out of reach in the first round!

During this stay, the evenings were also rich in their originality and the variety of atmospheres; an elegant evening at the Michelangelo hosted by the famous Soweto String Quartet, a visit to Soweto with a memorable dinner at Wendie's, a barbecue at Glendower's golf course, a dinner in the savannah and a very nice last night at the Lost City clubhouse marked the spirits by the general quality of the reception and the catering services.

Among my strongest memories of this edition, the safari in the Pilanesberg National Park is forever marked in my memory.

An exceptional "ranger" of skills, allowed us to meet 4 of the "Big 5" in less than two hours in this unimaginably rich reserve; in almost 27 years of Africa, this is the first time that I succeeded in photographing a Leopard!

Already, it is time to prepare for the 2020 South Africa Pro-Am which will be shared between Durban and Fancourt; once again a completely new association which will bring the courses of Prince's Grant, Zimbali, Durban Country Club, Montagu, Pinnacle Point and The Links on stage…

To know more : http://www.voyages-golfissimes.fr