Results after 55 golfers braved cold and windy conditions to be crowned National Champion

The Headspring Investments Sages National Championship was played over two rounds on 7 and 8 June 2024, hosted by the Gobabis Golf Club.  With the later tee-off time of 10:00 on Friday, golfers found the going a little easier than the tee-off time of 08:00 on Saturday.

Sages golfers came from all over Namibia to battle it out, even as far as Oshakati, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. “We thank all the golfers that came to play in this very popular tournament and we thank them for the good spirit in which the competition was played.  As the results indicate, the competition was tough. But such a tournament is not possible without sponsors and I thank our anchor sponsor, Headspring Investments, and our other main sponsors, Bank Windhoek and Gobabis Toyota”, said Johny Lewis, Chairman of the Gobabis Golf Club.  “With the help of the sponsors we could ensure that each and every participant could receive a prize”.

The President of the Namibian Sages, Gustav Jung, added that the Namibian Sages have two main goals; the first one is to bring the players out into open air and some exercise at least once a week by playing 18 holes, and the second goal is to ensure that the Sages at all the golf clubs in Namibia become involved in charitable causes.  “The Gobabis Golf Club is leading by example with the fact that some of the proceedings of the weekend will be invested in a charitable cause in the Epukiro Constituency”.

The club captain of Gobabis Golf Club, Anta Derks, was excited about the number of Sages Ladies who entered the competition, namely 5 ladies.  “I am confident that more ladies will enter in the future, as I know that ladies golf in Namibia is on a healthy footing.  Although it is hard work for a small club like ours to host such a big event, I can only commend the committee who worked together and start with preparations months in advance”.

The oldest player to compete in this competition was Clinton Dodds, aged 92 years.  He commented that golf is a sport that one can play from a very young age up to a very advanced age.  He explained that golf not only keeps one fit, but also keeps one’s brain working, as golf is a very technical game.

The winners of the Sages National Championship are:

3^rd place with 71 points, were Charl Wittman and Jurie Engelbrecht

2nd place with 72 points, was Cobus van der Merwe

1st place with 73 points was Fanie Oosthuizen

Riaan van Rooyen, spokesperson for Headspring Investments, said that it is a privilege for the company to be the title sponsor for this event for the second year running. “It is important for Headspring Investments to show its desire to take its place in the Namibia economy, by taking hands with other Namibian companies to make such events possible.  People will be able to understand that the economic benefits for the region will be immense, once the mine starts production”, he explained.