The first-ever playing of the Africa Amateur Championship will feature 20 elite women’s amateur golfers competing over 54 holes at the prestigious Leopard Creek Country Club in Mpumalanga, South Africa, from 21-24 February, 2024.
The winner will earn starts in The Women’s Amateur Championship, Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open and The Investec South African Women’s Open in 2024, and the Lalla Meryem Cup and Magical Kenya Ladies Open in 2025.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Kruger National Park, the inaugural championship will provide a world-class platform for the region’s rising talent to compete against each other, with golfers representing five nations making up the field.
Zané Kleynhans and Kyra van Kan of South Africa are strong contenders vying for the first-ever Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational title, but the international field is lead by Vicky Elias and Tanzanian compatriot Madina Iddy Hussein, with Kenyans Mercy Nyabande and Naom Wafula listed next on the WAG rankings.
Kaiyuree Moodley and Ellandri van Heerden* are the first South Africans on the list, closing out the top 10 rankings, and will be looking to capitalise on home ground advantage. Pathway for success
Kleynhans has bagged two amateur titles in the last year at the Eastern Province and Border Championship and KwaZulu-Natal Junior Championship, but will face opposition from 2023 South Africa Amateur champion van Kan and the likes of Gia Raad, who last year won five titles including the English Girls’ Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship.
“The creation of the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational reflects our commitment to fostering talent, creating a pathway for aspiring golfers and elevating the standard of amateur golf in the region,” said Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A.
“We want to replicate the success we’ve achieved in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where our international events for both men and women have become proven platforms for discovering future stars of the sport. A number of these talented golfers have gone on to become major champions and be successful on the professional tours, inspiring others to pursue their ambitions in golf.
“We are thankful for the fantastic support we have received from Mr Johann Rupert, who is a committed and passionate partner, in staging these events at the wonderful Leopard Creek and we look forward to seeing who emerges from the field to etch their names into history as the first winners of these events.”
For more information on the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational, including competing players, please visit www.randa.org
The Preliminary Africa Amateur Golf Championships Draw
(Name (Country) WAG Ranking)
1. Vicky Elias (Tanzania) 2937
2. Madina Iddy Hussein (Tanzania) 2370
3. Mercy Nyabande (Kenya) 2200
4. Naom Wafula (Kenya) 1386
5. Chanelle Wangari Mwangi* (Kenya) 1271
6. Abir Taibi* (Morocco) 1111
7. Serah Khanyereri (Kenya) 1079
8. Sonia Bayahya* (Morocco) 995
9. Kaiyuree Moodley (South Africa) 766
10. Ellandri Van Heerden* (South Africa) 758
11. Margret Nyamukondiwa (Zimbabwe) 678
12. Bobbi Brown (South Africa) 618
13. Kesha Louw* (South Africa) 611
14. Zané Kleynhans* (South Africa) 338
15. Gia Raad* (South Africa) 325
16. Kyra van Kan (South Africa) 315
17. Primross Chikwaya (Zimbabwe) –
18. Kudzai Mandava (Zimbabwe) –
19. Ashley Ouma (Kenya) –
Photo Caption: The week will see 20 elite women’s amateur golfers compete over 54 holes in the first playing of the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational at the prestigious Leopard Creek Country Club in Mpumalanga, South Africa, from 21-24 February, 2024. Photo: randa.org
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