2023 WP Senior Open – Super Seniors dominates
Located in a picturesque setting overlooking the Sonstraal neighborhood and with the Hottentots Holland Mountains serving as a backdrop, The Jewel of the North has once again exceeded expectations.
The course maintenance contractors, STM, have done an outstanding job maintaining the course in impeccable condition. Lush and tightly woven fairways and a perfectly rolled green provide the most ideal conditions for players to maximize scoring opportunities.
The WP Senior Open was held on Thursday, 16 February 2023 and Friday, 17 February 2023, and was attended by 71 golfers from around the country.
There was no doubt that the course was stretched to its limits, challenging the finest senior golfers competing for the ultimate prize.
Day 1 of the tournament was marked by a very unusual wind direction from the east, which bewildered the players, making conditions extremely difficult.
Following a sound performance after the first round, Etienne Wehlri (Malmesbury Golf Club) led the field with a score of 72. A total of fourteen pars, two birdies, and two bogeys were sufficient to take an advantage of one stroke. In close pursuit of him were Hennie Walters (Bellville), Peter van Coller (Stellenbosch), Elias Steenkamp (Durbanville) and Clive Williams (Stellenbosch).
Among the highlights of the day was Elias Steenkamp’s four consecutive birdies between holes 10 and 13.
Defending champion Greg Woodbridge (Atlantic Beach Links) was unable to get off to a successful start on opening day. Unforced double bogeys on the fourth and sixth holes led to an opening round of 76. This resulted in Woodbridge chasing the leaders throughout the tournament. Despite a hard-fought 69 on day two, victory could not be secured. A pair of birdies on holes 5, 6, 9, 13, 16 and 18 were offset by two bogeys on holes 1, 3 and 12.
Henry Trevena (Royal Cape) and Dirk van der Merwe (Bellville) fought it out head-to-head for the title, but in the end it came down to the wire as Henry snuck in a birdie on the final hole to share the trophy.
Players matched each other’s opening round of 74, followed by impressive 68s. There was a total of 10 birdies and an eagle recorded between the two competitors. Trevena (Royal Cape) recorded six birdies on holes 6, 9, 12, 13, 15 & 18 while van der Merwe (Bellville), who also played well, tallied four birdies on holes 3, 5, 11, 12 and an eagle on hole 15.
Senior golf is in a vibrant state with incredible golf being played over the two days.
All of the sponsors contributed greatly to the success of the tournament. We would like to thank them for their support:
- Coco-Cola Peninsula Beverages
- Subtropico
- Stellenbosch Vineyards
Click here to access the full results. 2023 WPG Senior Open – Final Results
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