Golfing and gaming unites

Sunshine Ladies Tour professional Casandra Hall took on Sunshine Tour professional and 2019 RAM Cape Town Open champion Benjamin Follett-Smith when the pair faced off in the Virtual Sunshine Tour (VST).
Hall and Follet-Smith faced off on May 31 when they took to the virtual version of Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club’s famed East Course.
Johannesburg-based Hall hoped to be the first woman professional to make her mark in the seventh instalment of the VST.
Participating in the seventh round of the tour, Hall aimed to build upon the Sunshine Tour’s efforts to incorporate Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals into several regular men’s tournaments.
Last year’s Vodacom Origins of Golf series on the Sunshine Tour saw Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals compete alongside the men in the 36-hole pro-am competition and for their own prize money.
Hall won on two occasions during the Vodacom Origins of Golf series on the Sunshine Tour.
Pauli van Meersbergen, a tournament director of the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour, believes Sunday’s virtual match reflects global golf’s growing interest in mixed events.
Van Meersbergen made history when she became the first female rules official from South Africa to be invited to officiate at the 2019 Masters.
“I think golf is starting to think a lot more out of the box, and this is another way to keep showcasing women’s golf more effectively,” said van Meersbergen.
Van Meersbergen said looking at international and SA golfing tournaments more sponsors are interested in what mixed golf tournaments can offer
“Mentally, she’s got that X factor that you just can’t teach,” said Hall’s coach, Robbie Stewart.
Although Hall described herself as not being a gamer, she ensured she practised before the event.
“I think the Virtual Sunshine Tour is a cool idea. It’s fun to watch and it feels like you’re watching normal golf again with all the banter between the players,” said Hall.