GolfRSA has announced the teams set to represent South Africa in a series of prestigious African golf tournaments taking place in April and May.
Leading the charge, Shannon Butler from Central Gauteng, along with KwaZulu-Natal duo Olivia Wood and Kamaya Moodliar, and Western Province’s Odette Booysen, will compete in the Southern Regional All Africa Challenge at Omeya Golf Estate in Namibia from April 23-26. Butler will serve as the playing manager.
“We are excited to give this talented quartet the opportunity to test their skills against the best women golfers from Southern Africa,” said Women’s Golf South Africa President Susan Andrew.
“Last year, Kesha Louw, Lisa Coetzee, and Gia Raad gained invaluable experience competing in the All Africa Challenge Trophy in Morocco, and we believe this team will benefit just as much.”
GolfRSA is also sending teams to the All Africa Junior Golf Championship in Tunisia from April 24-27, the Zimbabwe Junior Open in May, and the Africa Region 5 Golf Tournament in Botswana, further showcasing the depth of South African junior golf talent.
South Africa has a proud history in the All Africa Junior Teams Championship. In 2024, the boys’ team secured their 17th consecutive title, while the girls remained undefeated, winning their eighth straight championship since the competition’s inception in 2017.
“This year’s boys’ team features three players who debuted in the 2025 GolfRSA International Amateur Championship: Southern Cape’s Dewan de Bruin, Roelof Craig from Gauteng North, and Eastern Province’s Johndre Ludick.
"They will be joined by debutant Marno Lange from Ekurhuleni,” said South African Golf Association President Deon Nel.
“The girls’ team includes returning champion Kesha Louw from KwaZulu-Natal, Lisa Coetzer from Ekurhuleni, who earned her national colours in Morrocco, and newcomer Casey Twidale from Central Gauteng.
"All seven players are highly deserving of this opportunity, and we have full confidence they will represent South Africa with distinction at The Residence Golf Course in Tunisia.”
The teams will be managed by Southern Cape Golf Union operations manager Heinrich Lourens and Women’s Golf South Africa Vice-President Madeleine de Wet.
For the Africa Region 5 Golf Tournament in Botswana from May 12-17, South Africa will field Astin Arthur from KwaZulu-Natal, Ivan Verster from Southern Cape, and Gauteng North’s Dian Kruger and Charl Barnard.
“Since our re-admittance to this event in 1995, South Africa has dominated, with only three losses in 2010, 2016, and 2024,” said Nel.
“Losing to home favourites Zambia last year was tough, but we believe this team will give their all to reclaim the title. Astin, Ivan, and Dian were part of the victorious 2024 GolfRSA International Amateur team, while Charl, our new cap and the reigning South African Amateur champion, excelled in the 2024 All Africa Junior Team Championship.”
The team will be accompanied by South African Golf Association Junior Vice-President Thinus Labuschagne, who previously managed the victorious SA team in the GolfRSA International Amateur Championship.
GolfRSA has also named 16 juniors to compete in the 2025 Zimbabwe Junior Open at Harare Golf Club from April 23-28, marking an expansion of South Africa’s junior golf presence.
“Thanks to funding from the National Lotteries Commission, which enabled us to increase our golf development programme and launch our Tournament Support Programme, we are able to send a larger group to Zimbabwe this year,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn.
“Our juniors have excelled in past editions, with Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard winning back-to-back titles, alongside multiple top-10 finishes.”
Competing in Zimbabwe will be: Alessia Goussard and Tynan Vermeulen (Boland), Thabang Simon and Vuyisani Makama (Central Gauteng), Lourenda Steyn, Megan Marais, Orateng Maphake, Phenyo Sebata, Zane Fourie, and Zinan Maimane (Gauteng North), Kairav Maduray (KwaZulu-Natal), and Western Province representatives Jayden Daniels, Josh Daniels, Tristan Boise, Zayaan Hendricks, and Zoey Rhoda.
The delegation will be accompanied by GolfRSA’s Laetitia Higgs and Greg de Doncker.
“These international tournaments provide young golfers with valuable experience and the chance to compete at the highest level,” added Hepburn. “They also foster collaboration between African nations to drive the growth of the sport on the continent.”
With South Africa’s strong track record in junior golf, these upcoming events will be key in shaping the next generation of golfing champions.