Women’s golf in spotlight this weekend

By: staff reporter

THE Bank Windhoek Namibia Ladies Open Golf Championship will take place on Saturday at the Windhoek Country Club.

The Open Championship has become a highlight on the Namibian amateur women’s golf calendar, and about 36 golfers are expected to participate.
The format for this tournament will be stroke play, as players will earn points for their annual merit list which is used for team selections for national participation in tournaments such as the Regional All Africa Championship.
Bonita and Wilna Bredenhann and Letitia Brink represented the country at the last bi-annual tournament, posting a fifth overall finish out of the 21 participating countries.
“Like last year, an additional category has been added for ladies who do not feel that they are up for fierce competition from professionals such as last year’s champion, Bonita Bredenhann. These ladies will be allowed to play a stableford competition, giving them a chance to perform and compete on their own level and still be part of the tournament, but most of all, enjoy the game,” said Heidi van Niekerk, president of the Namibia Amateur Ladies Golf Union (NALGU)
“This is our effort to involve our lady golfers at all levels nationally and give them as much opportunity to participate at a competitive level, as well as to socialise for the enhancement of golf in Namibia,” she added.
Last year’s champion, Bonita Bredenhann, will not be defending her title as she is taking part in a major golf event in South Africa. One of Namibia’s upcoming golf stars, Jessica Dreesbeimdieke, will also be unable to attend as she will take part in the British Open Championships in England.
“We are happy to see it having grown tremendously over the years, attracting players from other African countries such as Botswana and South Africa,” said Bank Windhoek’s Nora Ndopu. “We are also proud to see the Championship producing stars such as Jessica Dreesbeimdieke and Bonita Bredenhann who are taking part in foreign golf championships.”
The NALGU has eight affiliated clubs in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Oranjemund, Gobabis, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay, Oshakati and Okahandja. 

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