International competition for Burnand
The golfer will compete in the Juan Carlos Tailhade Cup in Argentina in November.
Ekurhuleni’s Jordan Burnand will aim to let the world know of the quality he possesses. Along with fellow golfer Ivan Verster, they will aim to continue South Africa’s proud legacy when the pair line up for the country in two world-class international events in Argentina this November.
Burnand and Verster, respectively third and fourth in the current GolfRSA Open Amateur rankings, will compete in the Juan Carlos Tailhade Cup at Los Lagartos Country Club from November 2 to 5.
Following the prestigious international Teams Tournament, it’s each man for himself in the Argentine Amateur Championship. The world’s sixth-oldest amateur championships will be at the Martindale Golf Club from November 8 to 11.
GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn applauded the South African Golf Association’s selection and said the GolfRSA National Squad duo deserved the honour of representing South Africa on the world stage.
“The world’s top amateurs highly favoured these two world-class events.
“Burnand and Verster have shown commitment, determination and a healthy dose of competitive spirit to rise through the ranks this year, and these qualities will serve them well in Argentina,” Hepburn said.
Burnand won the Border Stroke Play Championship and Verster doubled up with victories in the Limpopo Stroke Play Championship and Southern Cape Open.
Both amateurs have consistently produced top-five results on the local circuit in 2023. Burnand also performed well during the GolfRSA National Squad tour to the United Kingdom in June, with his best result being a fourth-place finish in the Scottish Men’s Open Championship.
“Competing in Argentina represents a fantastic platform for these two talented golfers to expand their experience on the international stage and it delights us that Burnand and Verster can test themselves against top international competitors,” Hepburn said.
These are events South Africans have done well in the past.
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“We have always supported these two top international events, but we could not take part since 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions,” said South African Golf Association president Henk Smith.
“It is fantastic that we are once again able to send two of our top-performing amateurs to these events in Argentina, and we are delighted to award Verster his senior national colours. They have both made significant strides this season and are deserving candidates to join the world-class fields heading to Argentina.”
They inducted new cap Verster into the GolfRSA National Squad this year and the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation member is looking forward to representing South Africa for the first time.
“Every athlete dreams of representing his country, and I am proud and privileged to have the honour of wearing the green and gold in Argentina,” he said.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to gain experience on the international stage, having seen how much Burnand and the other squad members benefitted from the UK Tour. We hope to do South Africa proud and learn from the experience.”
