Golf
Nienaber excited about inaugural Mangaung Open─── MORGAN PIEK 15:10 Tue, 25 Jan 2022
A total of 216 professional golfers will be teeing it up in Bloemfontein in March during the inaugural Mangaung Open.
The co-sanctioned Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour event will be played at both the Bloemfontein and Schoeman Park Golf Clubs.
While the field is yet to be finalised, the local professional, Wilco Nienaber, has confirmed his attendance at his home course.
Nienaber, who is a previous club champion at Bloemfontein, has been playing the majority of his golf overseas after winning the co-sanctioned 2021 Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt in George.
Nienaber told OFM Sport that following all the rain in recent times the course it in outstanding condition and it just feels right for an international event to be staged in Bloemfontein.
“It's really nice and it feels like it's just meant to be, especially with all of the rain that we've been getting in Bloemfontein over the last couple of months.
“They really had some tough times with all the rain as they weren't able to the cut the grass at the course due to all the rain, but I am really looking forward to playing at home for a change.”
Sunshine Tour Commissioner, Thomas Abt, told OFM Sport that fans will be allowed to attend.
“As our current protocols are, we are allowed to have 2000 spectators at our event.
“It's ever-changing times and our Chief Covid Medical Officer who is partnering us with all of our events, is engaging with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, to see if there are any updates.
“But as it stands now, 2000 spectators will be allowed to attend.”
The Mangaung Open will be played from 3 to 6 March.
Morgan Piek OFM Sport