Balderstone Sport Institute  Junior Academy star Connor Olfsen has officially received his custom-fitted set of irons from Srixon last week  one of the prestigious prizes awarded for winning the 2025 BSI Junior Academy Order of Merit.

Connor’s victory was built on remarkable consistency and composure throughout the season, finishing with an outstanding Stroke Average of 70.67 across BSI medal events for 2025. Week after week, he demonstrated the discipline, work ethic and competitive edge that define success at the highest level of junior golf.

The irons were professionally custom fitted by Srixon, ensuring that Connor now has equipment perfectly matched to his swing a reward that reflects both his performance and his potential.

As part of his Order of Merit achievement, Connor will also step into his new role as a Srixon ambassador, representing one of the game’s leading equipment brands. This partnership marks another exciting step in his development journey.

We are incredibly proud of Connor’s achievement. His dedication to improvement and commitment to excellence continue to set the standard at BSI Junior Academy  and this is only the beginning.

If you would like to learn more about how the BSI Junior Academy develops young golfers and supports their journey to excellence, join us at our Open Day on Saturday, 14 March 2026. Come and experience the BSI environment first-hand and discover the opportunities available for aspiring junior golfers.

Michael Balderstone handing over Connor’s irons

DAY

Saturday, 14 March 2026

Join us for an informative and immersive Open Day showcasing our full-time Junior Golf Academy with integrated schooling for Grades 8–12.

What to Expect

Attending families will enjoy comprehensive presentations and Q&As on our youth development philosophy, schooling system, high performance golf program, and the local and international academic and performance pathways we provide.

You will also receive a guided tour of our new campus in Bedfordview, including the BSI Fitness Centre where you will see a demonstration of the golf-specific fitness training we provide.

Meet Our Experts 

Our educators will discuss our international curricula and explain BSI’s unique schooling approach, designed to provide greater flexibility for training, competition, and athlete development.

You’ll also meet our highly qualified PGA coaching team and sports science support staff, who will outline our extensive junior golf program designed to build talented golfers into high performers.

Discover how BSI provides a structured, supportive environment with clear pathways into professional sport, tertiary study, and global opportunities.

Srixon Fitting – Order of Merit Premier Academy Winner Keegan du Plessis

BSI Premier Division 2025 Order of Merit winner Keegan du Plessis recently met with Alfred Sutton, Area Sales Manager for Dunlop Srixon and 2012 BSI PGA Diploma graduate, for his custom club fitting following last year’s impressive Order of Merit victory.

As part of the prizes awarded to BSI Order of Merit winners, Keegan will receive a set of custom-built Srixon irons and Cleveland wedges, ensuring he has the right equipment to support his continued development.

During the session, Sutton highlighted Srixon’s long-standing partnership with BSI and the brand’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of golfers within the BSI program. This collaboration reflects BSI’s dedication to aligning with leading industry partners who share the vision of developing young talent and providing players with world-class opportunities and resources.

A strong example of this pathway is Jacques van der Merwe, a product of the BSI program who won the BSI Order of Merit in consecutive years. He has since progressed to the professional ranks after qualifying to compete on the Sunshine Tour, continuing the proud tradition of BSI players advancing to the highest levels of the game.

Victoria Cup Win

Congratulations to BSI Junior Academy student Tsevi Soni on representing Kenya at the 8th edition of the Victoria Cup, held at Entebbe Golf Club, Uganda from 5 – 7 March 2026, and well done to Kenya for securing victory in this prestigious annual tournament between neighbours Kenya and Uganda. The win marks Kenya’s fifth title in the competition’s history, with Uganda having claimed the trophy twice so far.

Tsevi was one of the youngest members of the Kenyan team, making his selection a fantastic achievement and boasting a personal record of 3 wins and 2 halves. We are looking forward to seeing you take many individual and team wins nationally and internationally.

Tsevi Soni (holding leader board) with some of the Kenyan team

BSI Tournament Results

BSI Premier Division 18-hole medal

Congratulations to James Moss on his victory in the BSI Premier Division 18-hole Medal on Friday, 6 March, shooting a level-par 72 on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club.

Played in wet and windy conditions, the round was a test of patience and adaptability. Having grown up playing coastal golf, James is no stranger to challenging weather and handled the conditions superbly, accepting the occasional bad lie that comes with a rain-soaked course while remaining composed throughout the round.

Now in his second year of the PGA Diploma, James continues to thrive within the BSI high-performance environment, under coach Christopher Wright, and this victory is further reward for the hard work he continues to put into his game. Great going James.

James Moss

Personal Best: Maru Chokwe 82

Maru Chokwe

BSI Junior Academy 18-hole Medal

Well done to Shaka Kariisa on his win in the BSI Junior Academy 18-Hole Medal, carding a superb 1-under-par 71 at the East Course at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club on Friday, 6 March.

This outstanding round marks Shaka’s all-time personal best score, a fantastic milestone that reflects the steady improvement he continues to show within the BSI Junior Academy programme. His dedication to practice and commitment to the process are clearly paying off as he continues to develop his game.

Shaka is coached by Piet de Wet, who celebrates yet another BSI medal win with one of his students – further evidence of the strong work being done within the programme.

We wish Shaka the very best as he prepares to compete in the upcoming All Africa Junior Championship, where he will proudly test his game against some of the best young players on the continent.

Shaka Kariisa

Personal Best: Shaka Kariisa 71 & Timothy Sello 78

External Tournament Results

DP World Tour / Sunshine Tour – Joburg Open; Houghton GC (5 – 8 March)

T28 – Jacques Kruyswijk

T45 – Ryan van Velzen

Sunshine Ladies Tour – Standard Bank Ladies Open; Durbanville GC (5 – 7 March)

T4 – Nobuhle Dlamini

T14 – Gabrielle Venter

T25 – Lora Assad

T39 – Tara Baglione

Bushveld Tour – Race to Q-School #9; Krugersdorp GC (2 – 4 March)

T15 – Luke Truter

T17 – Sean Paxton

T24 – Tiger Adams

GolfRSA – Cobra/Puma Northern Amateur Stroke Play, CCJ – Woodmead GC (8 – 10 March)

T15 – Keegan du Plessis & Lorenzo Sakota

T25 – Kayle Turner & Jordan Currie

T43 – James Moss

T48 – Joshua Wiese

T54 – Mongiwetfu Masuku

57^th – Julien El Adl

GolfRSA – WP Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship; Westlake GC (8 March)

T7 – Gia Raad

T12 – Valentina Sakota

GolfRSA – WP Women’s Amateur Match Play; Westlake GC (9 – 10 March)

A Division Championship:

Winner – Gia Raad

A Division Flight:

2^nd – Valentina Sakota

Image courtesy of Golf Africa

Boys:

T9 – Lorenzo Sakota

Girls:

T5 – Valentina Sakota

BSI Charity Golf Day 2026

As part of their academic programme, our final-year PGA Diploma students are proud to be organising and hosting a Charity Golf Day at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club on Monday, 11 May 2026.

This year’s event carries special significance. In previous years, funds raised have supported various cancer charities; however, in 2026 the cause is deeply personal. One of BSI’s own PGA students has had to temporarily withdraw from his studies and his pursuit of a career in the golf industry to undergo cancer treatment.

In a show of unity and compassion, our BSI third-year students have committed to directing all proceeds from the day towards supporting his treatment and recovery.

We invite you to diarise this meaningful event and support the cause by entering a fourball (or two), sponsoring prizes, or contributing donations. Your participation will not only assist a deserving young gentleman during a challenging time, but also ensure a memorable day of golf, camaraderie, and purpose.

Sports Management – BSI / HOT102.7FM Bursary

A warm welcome to our three Sports Management bursary recipients – Lebogang Makgala, Obinna Onovo and Pearl Khumalo – who have recently joined Balderstone Sports Institute. We are delighted to have them on board and look forward to supporting them as they begin their journey toward careers in the business of sport.

This life-changing opportunity has been made possible through the incredible work of Hot 102.7FM and their Hot Cares initiative, whose annual Hot 102.7FM Teddython continues to create opportunities for deserving young South Africans. Through this bursary programme, the students are gaining valuable knowledge in areas such as sports marketing, event management, finance and resource management while learning how the South African sporting industry operates.

In addition to the Sports Management programme, each recipient will also complete BSI’s Certificate in Sports Coaching, further enhancing their practical skills within the sporting environment. Each bursary is valued at R49,750, with a combined value of R149,250 for the three students.

We wish Lebogang, Obinna and Pearl every success during their time at BSI and thank Hot 102.7FM and their listeners for making opportunities like this possible. Their support continues to change lives and help young people turn their passion for sport into a profession.

Lebogang Makgala, Pearl Khumalo with Teddy from Hot102.7 Hot Cares and Obinna Onovo

Did you know that Balderstone Sports Institute is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training?