Amateur golfer Sipho Bujela

SOUTH Africa's top-ranked amateur, Brandon Stone, made history by becoming the first amateur to play in the final rounds of the Joburg Open after making the cut following an excellent first two days at the tournament.

Stone, who was also the leading amateur at the SA Open at Serengeti at the end of November 2011, went into the final two rounds on six-under-par 137, with the cut falling on four under. Even defending champion Charl Schwartzel failed to make the cut, missing by a single stroke on three under. By the end of round three, Stone wrapped the day on five-under-par 210.

But the real story of golf development at its best lies with 22-year-old Soweto amateur Sipho Bujela. Despite missing the cut by three strokes, the Pimville golfer still came through 36 holes one stroke better than 2008 Joburg Open champion Richard Sterne. Bujela finished on one under par, with Sterne at level par after two rounds.

For the past few years the City of Joburg has given four amateurs the opportunity to play alongside the professionals in the Joburg Open, with the aim of exposing them to professional golf.

This year, the Central Gauteng Golf Union and the City of Joburg selected three development golfers – Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Jonathan Raphunga and Bujela – to participate in the tournament, along with Stone, South Africa's top-ranked amateur.

Bujela was disappointed after missing the cut but tried to keep things in perspective. "I improved quite a bit compared to my stint at the Joburg Open last year, although I was really hoping to make the cut this year. I had the chance and I was hitting it nicely, but then the putts didn't drop. I struggled with the lines on the greens on the West Course. I just wasn't reading them well. I will have to work on that quite a bit. Apart from that, my game is on track," he said.

"I suppose it is still an improvement and it is an achievement to have done better than many of the Sunshine and European tour professionals. Although I'm disappointed, I now have to turn my attention to what's coming in 2012. It's my aim to play lots of tournaments and to climb up the South African rankings and finish in the top five. Then I want to go to the Sunshine Tour's qualifying school and turn pro at the end of the year."

Bujela is currently ranked 24th, moving from 125 early in 2011.

The City's director of events and the Joburg Open tournament promoter, Bongi Mokaba, explained why this initiative was important: "We are particularly proud of this development initiative as it assists in bridging the gap by providing opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable, particularly to young black amateur golfers. It is our belief that success is often hampered by access to resources and facilities. Therefore our development programme seeks to address these disparities by empowering young golfers to reach their full potential."

Although the 2012 tournament didn't live up to the goals that either Nethunzwi or Raphunga had set for themselves, both spoke about the invaluable experience they had gained from being at the Joburg Open this year.

Nethunzwi is ranked 32nd in South Africa, moving from 158th, and Raphunga improved his overall amateur rankings from 133 to 54 by the end of 2011.
These young golfers are certainly ones to watch out for in 2012.