The Road to Mallorca heads to Limpopo for the SDC Open, the fifth of seven co-sanctioned tournaments between the European Challenge Tour and the Sunshine Tour, taking place across Zebula Golf Estate & Spa and Elements Private Golf Reserve. Here’s everything you need to know for the week ahead…
Zebula Golf Estate & Spa
Zebula Golf Estate & Spa, designed by Peter Matkovich, is located within a basin of the most pristine African bushveld and the course is surrounded by nature and wildlife reserves which create a memorable playing experience with animals such as Kudu, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra and Giraffe being regularly spotted. The course follows the natural contours of the terrain with wide open fairways which are lined by bushveld trees, making accuracy off the tee paramount to success.
Elements Private Golf Reserve
Elements Private Golf Reserve, also designed by Peter Matkovich, is laid out in a valley and uses the natural surroundings to shape its outlook. Immaculate undulating fairways roll through the wooded terrain overlooking perennial streams and mountain views, whilst game species and wildlife bring the reserve to life. The clubhouse is located on a hill overlooking the ninth and 18th holes, offering a magical view of the surrounding landscape, with both holes incorporating the large lake which forms the heart of the layout.
Rankings taking shape
The Road to Mallorca Rankings are starting to take shape following the first four events of the season. JC Ritchie leads the way on 85,392 points after back-to-back victories at the Bain’s Whisky Cape Town Open and Jonsson Workwear Open, 27,947 points ahead of Alexander Knappe who triumphed at the season opening Dimension Data Pro-Am. Christophr Mivis occupies third position following back-to-back runner up finishes to Ritchie, while Oliver Hundebøll moved into fourth place after his maiden Challenge Tour victory at the Mangaung Open.
The SDC Open presents the penultimate chance for South Africans to take advantage of Challenge Tour events on home soil before next week’s Limpopo Championship and then the Mount Kilimanjaro Klassic in Tanzania concludes the run of co-sanctioned events between the Challenge Tour and the Sunshine Tour. South Africans Tristen Strydom, Luke Jerling and Keenan Davidse join Ritchie inside the top ten on the Rankings and they will be looking to gain as much breathing space as possible before the Road to Mallorca heads to Europe.
