{"id":139846,"date":"2016-12-02T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-02T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=139846"},"modified":"2016-12-02T15:44:42","modified_gmt":"2016-12-02T13:44:42","slug":"what-sa-open-golfers-can-look-forward-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2016\/12\/02\/what-sa-open-golfers-can-look-forward-to\/","title":{"rendered":"What SA Open golfers can look forward to"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the BMW SA Open Championship taking place in January 2017, participants can look forward to a wonderful experience while on the course.<\/p>\n

Rory McIlroy to play in SA Open<\/a><\/p>

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The championship, in partnership with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), will take place at the Glendower Golf Course and will see a number professional golfers such as Rory McIlroy taking part.<\/p>\n

To get further insight into what players can expect, the NEWS met with PGA Master Professional and 1985 SA Open winner Mr Gavan Levenson, who is also the teaching pro at Glendower.<\/p>

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Mr Levenson said the Glendower Golf Course, which is currently ranked in the top five South African golf courses, can prove challenging if participants are not prepared.<\/p>\n

“The golf course both rewards good players and punishes bad players,” said Levenson.<\/p>\n

Players on the course have to be mindful of the number of trees on the course, as well as the water hazards, as 11 of the 18 holes have water in play.<\/p>\n

Mr Levenson said this is as a result of the Jukskei River and the fact that the golf course was built around the river.<\/p>\n

“Talented players will be rewarded here,” said Mr Levenson.<\/p>\n

According to Mr Levenson, one of the more challenging holes at Glendower would be the 12th hole.<\/p>\n

“The hole has a sharp dog left and players have to cross the water hazard with their shot off the tee,” said Mr Levenson.<\/p>\n

Despite hole number 12 being more challenging, Levenson said all the holes on the course are challenging.<\/p>\n

“If participants want to play well, they have to play well throughout the course. All the holes are different though,” he said.<\/p>\n

He said the course is a long course and players must have the skill and strength to make good shots.<\/p>\n

“Glendower is a unique course, it is one of the most picturesque courses golfers can play on and it is also a bird sanctuary.”<\/p>\n