Qualification for one of the most prominent golf tournaments, the Windhoek Lager Pairs, took place over the weekend at Omeya Golf Course on the outskirts of Windhoek, and saw Paul Verburg Jnr and Christie van Vuuren claiming top spots as they both progressed to the finals.
The Windhoek Lager International Pairs is an annual internationally acclaimed tournament, which gives affiliated golfers an opportunity to compete locally and gradually progress to the national finals.
Over the weekend, various golfers gathered at Omeya Golf Course where they tussled for top honours and a place in the tournament’s finals slated for November this year. Thrilling golf was on display on Saturday as all participants brought their A-games to Omeya.
Verburg Jnr and Van Vuuren displayed amazing chemistry on the course and managed to book a spot at the upcoming Namibian finals after amassing a total 51 points to finish top of the men’s category. They were joined by Johan Husselman and George Lumley also in the men’s division, who both secured 44 points to finish fourth overall.
In the ladies category, veteran golfer Brenda Lens and Zandra Kruger put up a great show to bag 45 points in total, which saw them finish second overall, followed by the pair of Wilmarie Woest and Ciesta Walters who collected 45 points to take third place overall and secure a spot at the November finals.
The following teams have also already qualified for the finals: Men – Chris Claassen & Zunaid Pochee, Johan Husselmann & George Lumley, Riaan Schwartz & Leonard Beukes, John Zhang & Min Deng, Wikus Krugel & Gunnar Visser and Harry Hanstein & Charles Fourie. Ladies – Suzette Vermeulen & Leani Engelbrecht, Anja Wessels & Anecia le Grange and Lydia Lumley & Jane Liebenberg.
Speaking to New Era Sport, Namibia Golf Federation (NGF) secretary general-cum-golfer Lens said the Namibia finals of the international event will be held in November, where winners will be expected to battle it out for a place in Portugal where the Windhoek Lager International Pairs finale will be held next year. Lens added that there will be another qualifying event for the locals before the November finals.
“There’s one more qualifying event left to be played. We were supposed to accommodate visiting international golfers as part of the national finals but due to traveling restrictions it will no longer be possible,” she said
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na