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Africa Amateur Championship
History beckons for Wade Arthur as Africa Amateur gets underway
05 Feb 25
3 mins
South Africa’s Astin Wade Arthur is hoping that history will repeat itself by following in the footsteps of countryman Altin van der Merwe to win the Africa Amateur Championship.
Van der Merwe lifted the title in the championship’s inaugural staging last year to complete back-to-back wins having won the Golf RSA International Amateur in a dramatic play-off seven days earlier.The omens look good for Arthur, who makes his debut in the championship this week, after the 21-year-old also triumphed in a play-off in the Golf RSA International Amateur at Royal Johannesburg last Sunday.
Mental strength
“Mentally, you feel a lot better after a win and you’re comfortable with your game,” said Arthur. “We all start on the same score but mentally and physically I think I've got an edge. I'll just take it one step at a time and keep going.“I'm really excited to be making my first appearance in the Africa Amateur Championship. It's always special to come to Leopard Creek as it’s such an iconic venue. I think the excitement runs throughout the whole field and I'm looking forward to it.”
The Africa Amateur Championship is being played at Leopard Creek from 5-8 February and features a field of 72 men’s players representing 23 countries from the continent competing in its second edition.
Ivan Verster, who finished runner-up to van der Merwe last year after losing out in a three-way play-off with Christiaan Maas, and Jordan Burnand return to Leopard Creek aiming to contend for the title inspired by last year’s championship.
Astin Wade Arthur | South Africa | Africa Amateur Championship Previews
Verster focused on 2025
“I’m really looking forward to the week ahead and it’s pretty much the same game plan I had last year,” said Verster.“I’ve no regrets from last year. I did what I did, what I thought was the best in the moment to do, so no regrets. I’m just sticking to the game plan and it seems to be working. It’s amazing to be back at Leopard Creek.”
“I think patience is the key,” added Burnand. “I think that's the biggest thing around this golf course.
“There are birdies out there but there's also some big numbers so you've just got to be patient. It's a long championship, it's 72 holes, so you've got to keep your foot on the gas all the time and just keep on plodding away the whole week.
“All of us from South Africa are good mates, we travel with each other most of the year, but also you want to beat the guy you're playing against so the competitiveness is there but also the camaraderie. I think it's fantastic. I think it's a great event and the South Africans love competing against each other.”
Top-ranked Karanga
While South Africa dominates the field in numbers with 14 players included, it is Kenya’s Michael Karanga who enters the championship as the highest-ranked golfer (number 54) in the World Amateur Golf Ranking ®.The 30-year-old is also making his debut in the Africa Amateur Championship and confidence is high after notching up nine amateur wins last year and enjoying success in the 2025 Sigona Bowl in his homeland last month.
“My intention is to come and win this championship,” said Karanga. “The course at Leopard Creek is good and I’m ready for it. I enjoyed my practice round. I just need to keep the ball in play and score well.
“I don’t take being the highest-ranked player for granted. It’s hard work playing competitive golf but I’m playing well and looking forward to it. This has been always my dream, to go and play with the best in the world. It's a very big achievement for me being ranked so well and now competing with the best golfers.”
Bobbi Brown - South Africa
"My game is definitely moving in the right direction. Of course it would be amazing to win. I really hope that's what happens, and I'll be very proud if it happens.”
Women’s Invitational
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Bobbi Brown, runner-up in the 2024 Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational, comes into this year’s event at Leopard Creek in form having won the women’s Golf RSA International Amateur last week.She will compete in a field of 21 players representing eight countries including Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
“I've been looking forward to coming back to Leopard Creek ever since the final round last year,” said Brown. “I had a lot of fun. It was a bit of a struggle for the first two rounds getting used to playing the course but I learned to respect it. I attacked the par-5s and I made quite a few birdies so it was good.
“Last week was my best ever finish in a tournament, 14-under, as well. My game is definitely moving in the right direction. Of course it would be amazing to win. I really hope that's what happens, and I'll be very proud if it happens.”
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Kruger National Park, the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational provide a world-class platform for the region’s rising talent to compete on the international stage.
Major opportunities
The winner of the Africa Amateur Championship will earn exemptions into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, The Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.The winner of the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational will earn starts in The Women’s Amateur Championship, Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, Joburg Ladies Open, The Investec South African Women’s Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.
Rolex is an event partner of the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational and is committed to supporting The R&A’s professional and amateur championships. The Swiss watchmaker’s contribution to excellence in golf is based on a rich heritage stretching back almost 60 years, forged through pivotal partnerships at every level of the game, from the sport’s leading professional and amateur competitions and organisations, to players at the pinnacle of their discipline and younger talents embarking on their journey towards greatness.
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