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Africa Amateur Championship
Defending champions Bryan Newman and Gia Raad return as Africa Amateur Championships debuts at Royal Johannesburg
03 Feb 26
5 mins
Bryan Newman and Gia Raad are looking forward to the defence of their respective titles when the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational are staged at a new venue in Royal Johannesburg this week.
The Africa Amateur Championship tees off from Wednesday to Saturday (4–7 February) at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club’s East Course, featuring a field of 72 elite men’s players from 21 countries from the continent for the third edition of the Championship. Reigning champion Newman from South Africa returns after claiming the title at Leopard Creek last year, bringing experience from competing at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, earned through the Championship’s exemption for the winner. Newman, 18, said, “I’m really excited to be back playing in this Championship again. It’s a real privilege to play in it. “I had the most unbelievable time last year, especially at The Open. It was so cool to just be there and see all the big names at Royal Portrush. I learnt a lot for sure about my golf, with definitely a lot to work on. “I’m very grateful to The R&A for those opportunities. It was awesome. I had the most incredible time at The Open, so if I could do that again I would really love to.”
Bryan Newman, the 2025 Africa Amateur Champion.
This year’s champion will receive exemptions into The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.
South Africa dominates the field with 12 players included, led by Daniel Bennett, who enters the Championship as the highest-ranked player in the field at number 14 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking®. Bennett has been spending much of his time competing in the United States of America and arrives in Johannesburg in strong form.
Excitement builds
Bennett said, “It’s great to be home and I can’t wait for the Championship to start. I played two years ago at Leopard Creek, so obviously this is a different set-up and I’m super excited. There is obviously a big prize at the end of the week. “It’s nice coming in knowing you’re one of the higher ranked players, but I don’t think it’s a big deal. I’ve kind of just got to come in and get the job done.” Among the other South African contenders is Charl Barnard, who is the current South African Amateur Champion. He also featured in the 2025 GolfRSA International Amateur Championship, where he was narrowly defeated by Astin Wade Arthur at the first play-off hole. Arthur also continues his strong return following a wrist injury sustained earlier in the season. Alongside the men’s Championship, the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational will showcase 21 of the continent’s leading female amateurs, including players from Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania, further underlining the rapid growth of women’s golf in Africa.
Gia Raad, the 2025 Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational Champion.
Preparations in place
Defending champion Raad returns after winning last year’s title at Leopard Creek and will face strong competition from a talented field including South Africa’s Bobbi Brown, GolfRSA current International Amateur Champion, and Lisa Coetzer, ranked number one in both the 2025 GolfRSA Open and Junior Rankings. Raad, 18, said, “I’m feeling pretty good going into the week, I think I’ve prepared well up until now. I just need to focus on making a score. There is nothing I can do about the other players so I just need to focus and hopefully it works in my favour. “The course is in amazing condition. I’ve played a couple of rounds here so I think I know the course well – hopefully my game is on. The greens are rolling so nicely and the fairways are perfect, it’s really nice to play here.” Brown has her sights set on the Championship trophy at Royal Johannesburg after finishing runner-up behind past champions Raad (2025) and Kyra van Kan (2024). Brown said, “It’s really exciting to be in Johannesburg. I’ve played quite a few competitions here so I would say I know the course really well. I now just need to stick to my processes and hope for the best.”
Championship trophies, including the Claret Jug and the AIG Women's Open trophy.
Playing for the second time in the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational, Coetzer said, “I’m really excited to be here, Royal Johannesburg is one of my favourite courses, especially the East Course. This is going to be one of the biggest events I have played in, especially as it’s on TV. It’s really special and I am blessed to have this opportunity.”
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.
The Africa Amateur Championship and Women’s Invitational continue to provide a vital platform for Africa’s best amateur golfers to compete on a world class stage, celebrating excellence, diversity and the future of the game across the continent.
Commenting on how the win has helped her game, Raad added, “This Championship is such a big deal and it’s given me so many opportunities after winning last year. I was fortunate to play a lot of events thanks to the exemptions winning gives you and it’s really been a wonderful experience for me – especially playing in The Women's Amateur Championship at Nairn in Scotland.”
Rolex and Peter Millar are event partners of the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational, with both committed to supporting The R&A’s professional and amateur championships.