Father and son win golf title
Kevin and Jordan Wentzel won the 2022 Nedbank Desert Classic that took place at the end of December at the Rossmund Golf Course in Swakopmund.The Nedbank Desert Classic, dubbed “Namibia’s Major”, saw 144 players take part in the two-day tournament that was organised by the DZ Golf team, which is also responsible for the Nedbank for Autism Series.
The event was co-sponsored by Hollard Namibia and supported by Namibia Breweries Limited and Checkers.
Father and son Kevin (48) and Jordan (12) Wentzel won the tournament on 96 points ahead of Andrew van Schalkwyk and Org van Rensburg, with 95 points followed by Chris van Lill and Douw van Wyk in third position on 91 points.
Speaking at the prizegiving, coordinator Dan Zwiebel congratulated the winners and thanked golfers for travelling far and wide to play at the event.
“As a tournament coordinator, it is satisfying to receive constructive feedback from players regarding the organising of the event. The vision is always to improve and to ensure improvement every year. A major highlight once again was the fact that we can boast with the biggest field size of 144 players over a two-day period on the Namibian golfing calendar,” Zwiebel said.
“Given the stature of the event, we have received queries from close to 40 interested players after the available slots were filled, but as always, playing in this exclusive event is always secured on a first come, first served basis.”
Looking ahead
When asked about what golfers can expect in 2023, Zwiebel said that his team is working on making sure the event grows and becomes even bigger and better.
“Planning for 2023 has already begun and we will ensure that we develop this event from strength to strength. I would like to thank our main sponsor, Nedbank Namibia for their continuous support in making this event happen, and as golf’s number one supporter of golf in Namibia and beyond, Nedbank’s role in growing the sport deserves praise”, he said.
Nedbank Namibia’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Gernot de Klerk, gave plaudits to the organising team and the participating players, thanking them for the superb performance on the green.
“Nedbank has been a consistent contributor to the growth of golf as a sport in the country. Our commitment remains; we want not only to deliver exceptional banking services to our clients, but to also ensure every spectator at our events has a true Nedbank experience like no other. The Nedbank Desert Classic continues to make history by having the largest field in a two-day event, and for the first time having a father and son duo win the tournament. It truly is one for the books.” he stated.
“We would like to thank the organising team, our co-sponsors and all the players for making this yet another exciting edition of the Nedbank Desert Classic,” De Klerk concluded.
Nedbank Namibia’s Managing Director, Martha Murorua, lead an all-ladies team at the event, having been joined by Ujama Paulino, Natasja Louw and Sesilia Nkoshi. An exciting surprise was in store for the winning duo, when Khensani Nobanda, visiting Nedbank Group Executive of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, announced that the Wentzels will also be treated to an exclusive experience at the 2023 Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa!