Experience in the Bank for Sean

You simply cannot buy experience, and that is just what BSI private client and PGA Diploma graduate Sean Paxton gained last week in the Investec South African Open at Durban Country Club after qualifying through the Pre-Q.

Sean posted scores of 75 and 74 in tough conditions to finish T132 in the DP World Tour event and T4 out of the 6 amateurs in the field.  He was accompanied by fellow BSI PGA Diploma graduate Jamie Senekal as his caddie for the event.

Sean had this to say about the experience; “What a week to cap off an incredible start to the year!!!  Would have never dreamed of this happening so early in my career and cannot believe it happened.

Massive shoutout has to go out to Jamie Senekal, thanks for hopping on the bag and I’m glad I could have my first SA Open with you on the bag!!! To my support team, Mark Fairbank, David Lamprecht, Swing Shack, BSI Golf Academy, Christopher Wright, thank you to everyone involved in getting me to this point, everything I’ve achieved is not possible without you guys… let’s keep the momentum going it’s only the start!!!

Thank you finally to my family… All the love and unwavering support from you guys only keeps me believing and pushing to achieve my goals!!! You guys are the true engine behind me that keeps driving me forward.  Onwards to greater things”

 More wins for our Mental Coaching Clients

There was a double win for clients of BSI Mental Coach Mark Fairbank last week.  Casandra Alexander won the Jabra ladies Classic at Westlake on the Ladies Sunshine Tour, while Gia Raad won the prestigious SA Women’s Amateur Championship at Port Elizabeth GC.  Well done ladies!!

Casandra Alexander
Image courtesy of Sunshine Ladies Tour

Gia Raad
(image courtesy of Golf RSA)

Player of the Month Awards

BSI Junior Academy Player of the Month – February

Congratulations to Alexis Toriani who was voted as the Kupe Active BSI Junior Division Player of the Month for February.

Alexis secured a T31 spot in the Golf RSA SA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship played at Port Elizabeth GC.  She also finished 10^th in the Gauteng North Junior Girls tournament at Akasia GC and T27 in the North-West Women’s Open at Magaliespark GC. Well done Alexis.

BSI College Player of the Month – February

Well done to Keegan du Plessis who was voted as the Kupe Active BSI Premier Division Player of the Month for February.

Keegan finished Top 32 in the SA Amateur Championship Match Play at Humewood Golf Club and finished T48 in the Stroke Play qualifier.

During the Golf RSA International Amateur (Men & Women) at Royal Johannesburg, Keegan finished T48 in the men’s section. Keegan has a Stroke Average of 73. Well done Keegan.

BSI Tournament Results

BSI Premier Division 18-hole medal

Well done to Harry Llewellyn, for his win in the BSI Premier Division 18-hole medal on Friday 28 February, with a 3-under par 69, played at Royal Johannesburg – East Course. Harry continues to lead from the front as captain of our 2023 & 2024 USSA Team and shows his ability by winning last week’s medal. Great going Harry and looking forward to seeing you continue on your golfing path.

Personal Best: James Moss 74 & Loapi Chokwe 84

Harry Llewellyn

James Moss & Loapi Chokwe

BSI Junior Academy 18-hole Medal

Congratulations to Kean Buytendorp & Ayanda Mkhize, on their joint win in the BSI Junior Academy 18-Hole medal, played on Huddle Park Golf Course, on Wednesday 26 February. Both boys had scores of 2-over 74 on their 2nd ‘home course’ and have shown through persistence and hard work that they have what it takes to be on the podium. Nice work boys and keep on pushing to your best abilities and beyond.

Personal Best: Ayanda Mkhize & Kean Buytendorp 74

Ayanda Mkhize & Kean Buytendorp

Kean Buytendorp & Ayanda Mkhize

External Tournament Results

DP World Tour – Investec South African Open Championship, Durban CC (27 February – 2 March)

T37 – Jacques Kruyswijk

Sunshine Ladies Tour – Jabra Ladies Classic; Westlake GC (20 – 22 February)

1^st – Casandra Alexander

T12 – Lora Assad

Bushveld Tour #7; Glenvista CC (27 & 28 February)

T27 – Oliver Goldhill (a)

T45 – Andre Goosen (a)

T56 – Reece Mckain

T66 – Gerhard Botha (a)

T77 – Jules Helary

Golf RSA – SA Women’s Amateur Match Play Championship; Port Elizabeth GC (23 – 25 February)

Championship Trophy:

1^st – Gia Raad – SA WOMEN’S AMATEUR MATCHPLAY CHAMPION

Top 16 – Bobbi Brown

Top 32 – Valentina Sakota

Top 32 – Alexis Toriani

Flight Finals:

Top 16 – Stacey-lee van Gent

Top 32 – Keisha Kagoro

Top 32 – Paola Sakota

PGA Graduate Interview

 We hear from Karl-Heinz Meinke, our BSI Diploma Graduate 2024 about his time and experience over the last three years at BSI.