Royal Swazi Sun Golf Club, having grown into its several changes over the past year, promises an appetising challenge for the field gathered for this week’s 2005 Capital Alliance Royal Swazi Sun Open.
Course superintendent Gaerun Wilkinson made several changes in preparation for last year’s tournament to increase the course yardage to 5 983m. Wilkinson’s work since has been purely cosmetic, which, according to tournament director Theo Manyama, has the course looking in perfect condition.
”The course is in even better condition than last year,” said Manyama.
”It’s green, the fairways are perfect, the tees, which had not been finished last year, are all perfect. This is probably the best condition I’ve ever seen it in.”
Manyama was also pleased to announce that the tournament would begin without the necessity for preferred lies, unlike last year when heavy pre-tournament rain
saturated the fairways.
”There was a bit of rain last week, but the course has dried out brilliantly,” said Manyama.
”The course will play a bit longer as a result of the slight moisture and the players won’t get the usual Swazi run, but the ground is dry enough to ensure that the ball
will not be picking up mud either.”
No rain is forecast in the Mbabane region for the duration 72-hole tournament, which tees off on Wednesday. Aside from the mild distraction of a light breeze, which is expected to waft the flags all week, conditions are expected to be perfect for low scoring.
The par 72-hole course is notable for its reachable par fives, which, particularly in a format that rewards attacking play, has traditionally encouraged the field to play aggressively. Rough in front of the fifth and 12th holes, planted early last year, has
been retained, in keeping with Wilkinson’s desire to make reaching the green more challenging.
The modified stableford tournament format allocates eight points for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie and zero for a par. A bogey will cost one point, and a double bogey (or worse) three.
Last year’s champion, Nic Henning, claimed an unexpected victory in a thrilling finale last year, beating Titch Moore by one point with a 54-hole total of 42. Wallie Coetzee, who needed a par three on the hazardous closing hole to win, but made five instead, was third.
With that victory, Henning joined an esteemed group of champions, including John Bland, Hugh Biaocchi, Allan Henning, Mark McNulty, Ernie Els and, more recent winners, Marc Cayeux, Des Terblanche and Bradford Vaughan.
Tuesday’s pre-qualifying tournament will see 66 players battle for 17 places in the field. – Sapa