The 2025 Investec South African Open is bound to be one to remember as a host of the country's top amateurs bid for top honours.
Durban Country Club has undergone renovations but one thing that has not changed is the production line of top amateur talent vying for a spot on the first page of the leaderboard.
And despite many of the country's season campaigners pegging it up this week, the amateur stars are ready to challenge not only for the title of the top-placed amateur but perhaps even the championship itself.
No stranger to the game at the highest level, US-based amateur Christiaan Maas, is happy to be back on home soil.
"I've not played the course since 2019. It plays differently, especially the greens. They are rolling nicely. The goal, I guess, is to keep it on the short grass and we will be okay," he said.
Maas, at 18th the highest-ranked South African amateur in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, is hunting his second Freddie Tait title after winning back in the 2022/323 season at Blair Atholl.
As a player with a lot of experience as an amateur competing against the best in the country, he will not be overawed by the occasion and could be one to chase down the leaders on championship Sunday.
HOME COMFORTS
Being a local will certainly help matters and it's something that debutant Astin Arthur is relying on this week.
"I'm going to enjoy the week ... it's going to be special playing in this prestigious event for the first time," says the GolfRSA number-one ranked amateur.
"Being close to home, it makes a difference and I'm sure that having friends and family around will help me settle down. The course is great. It's obviously changed a lot and can be quite different depending on the wind. It will be good to get going and hopefully start well. One step at a time and I'm making sure that I enjoy it no matter what."
Ekurhuleni’s Jordan Burnand is looking forward to his second appearance in the world’s second-oldest national Open.
"I learnt so much in 2023," Burnand said of his debut at Blair Atholl in 2023. "I feel good about my game and I'm really looking forward to it.
“The changes to the course are fantastic and it's going to be a good test. It's special for me ... and I want to put up a good showing. Playing in my second SA Open, it's an honour and hopefully, I can take my learnings from my debut into this tournament."
Fresh off his R&A Africa Amateur Championship victory, Bryan Newman is as eager to get going as anyone.
"It's very exciting. I'm keen to get out there and enjoy myself," said Newman. "The course looks really tough off the green, so there's a premium on the tee shots but I'm really keen to get onto the greens and see if I can drain a few putts.
"To compete for the Freddie Tait Cup, it's a privilege and I'm up for the challenge."
It will be interesting to keep an eye on Newman, who has a big year lined up with a spot at the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush and the 130th Amateur Championship still on his schedule after this week.
'HUGE PRIVILEGE'
South African Amateur champion Charl Barnard, who rocketed 139 positions to 659 in the world ranking after his triumph at Humewood last week, echoes the sentiments.
"It's a huge privilege and I can't wait to get started. I'll be trying to find the fairways off the tee because that's going to be key." The GolfRSA No 2 added: "It's quite tight now off the tees, so if you want to hit the greens then you are going to have to play well off the tee.”
Last to tee it up is Sean Paxton came through the qualifier at Umhlali Country Club via playoff.
The former Maritzburg College scholar arrived on the back of some excellent results during the recent GolfRSA SA Swing, including a seventh-place finish in the GolfRSA International Amateur and second in the South African Stroke Play Championship.
Paxton admits that he's still pinching himself at the opportunity to play in the SA Open, but he is ready to ride the wave of his good fortune.
"It’s hugely exciting to be here, part of all of us, and a massive honour to be representing GolfRSA and amateur golf,” he said. “I grew up in KZN, so I've played the old course here a few times. The renovations have the course looking unbelievable and I'm ready to take a crack at it. "