Nedbank for Good Series concludes successful northern stint

 

29 July 2025 

 The Nedbank for Good Series marked another major milestone in its 2025 calendar with the successful hosting of round 6, 7 and 8 at the in the northern regions of the country.

The northern stint saw tee-off start at the Oshakati Golf Club on 5 July, followed by Tsumeb Golf Club on 19 July, and concluded with the new added venue in Grootfontein at the Grootfontein Golf Club last Saturday, 16 July.

Round 7 of the series in Tsumeb saw Divan Oosthuizen taking top honours with 44 points for the win, ahead of Terus Burger, who scored 37 points in second place, and third-placed Barend van Nieuwholtz, who scored 36 points, in the mens competition.

The Grootfontein leg saw Antonius Amugongo taking first place, scoring 42 points, closely followed by Festus Shetukana in second with 40 points (counted in), and Videlis Hanganda in third, also with 40 points (counted out).

Reflecting on his victory, Amugongo praised the organisers for executing the tournament well:

‘I feel very good. It was a good competition and well organised. I am happy I won. The new venue was excellent. I am coming back next year, and I am looking forward to meeting more competitors ther.’

The series organiser, Dan Zwiebel, said the Grootfontein event was a success, stating that the series continues to foster golf development across the nation:

‘Bringing the Nedbank for Good Series to new venues like Grootfontein is integral to our mission. It not only provides an exciting platform for golfers to compete but also spurs growth within local golf clubs. The talent we witnessed in Grootfontein reinforces our commitment to expanding the footprint of golf in Namibia.’

Grootfontein Golf Club's captain, Frans Katjimune, emphasised the significance of the event for their club, saying it was a good learning experience:

‘We are looking forward to being a permanent fixture at the series calander. Bringing the series to Grootfontein is a good way to develop golf and discover new talent.’

He also revealed growing interest from the Namibia Defence Force members based in the town and plans for a meeting to discuss potential new members.

While acknowledging past struggles with membership, Katjim ne noted recent improvements, saying the club is now home to 50 members, with 20 residing outside town. He appealed for sponsorship, stressing the need for clubhouse maintenance, fairway upkeep, and the desire to host more tournaments.

Katjimune praised the sponsors and organisers for their professional handling of the event, describing it as an enlightening and delightful experience.

Organisers of the Nedbank for Good Series say the Outjo Golf Course is ready to host its first Nedbank for Good Series event this weekend, marking the third and final new venue to be introduced this year.

The series organiser, Zwiebel, says everything is set for the weekend event, with registration in full swing:

‘We are incredibly excited to bring the Nedbank for Good Series to Outjo Golf Club for the first time. The support we've received at Okahandja and Grootfontein has been phenomenal, and we hope for a similar response and a fantastic golfing weekend here in Outjo. We expect a fantastic turnout of both participants and fans.’

The inclusion of Outjo Golf Club follows the successful debuts of the other two new venues, Okahandja Golf Club and Grootfontein Golf Club, both of which have provided positive feedback on the courses and the overall experience.

Zwiebel elaborated on the strategic importance of introducing new venues, saying that incorporating new courses into the series is vital for several reasons:

‘Firstly, it allows us to discover emerging talent within the golf community from different regions of Namibia. Every new course gives us a fresh test, pushing our players to adapt and showcase their skills on diverse terrains. Secondly, it's about keeping the series exciting and attractive. To maintain its appeal and encourage continued participation, we must be innovative and offer fresh experiences. Stagnation is the biggest fear for a series like ours, and by constantly evolving, we ensure its longevity and impact.’

Suene Venter scored 38 points to win the women's division ahead of Celonika Robinson, who carded 29 points in second place, and Ruanda de Beer, who scored 27 points in third place.

Nedbank Namibia’s Chief Commercial Officer, JG van Graan, said the addition of new venues is a testament to Nedbank's never-ending dedication to reach all communities across Namibia:

‘At Nedbank Namibia, our dedication to being money experts extends far beyond traditional banking. It's about investing in the fabric of our communities through sport, which is a powerful vehicle for positive change.’

He added that this holistic approach to community development through sport is at the very core of Nedbank Namibia:

‘The expansion to new venues like the Outjo, Okahandja, and Grootfontein golf courses only amplifies our collective ability to create positive change and extend our reach to even more deserving individuals. By decentralising these sporting events, we are providing opportunities for more Namibians to engage in competitive golf and also directly contributing to the development of local sports infrastructure, fostering healthier lifestyles, and nurturing talent at a grassroots level across the entire nation.’

The proceeds from this year's series directly benefit Agra ProVision, which aims to provide training, services, and support to underserved agricultural communities.

The Nedbank for Good Series is made possible by the generous support of its partners, with Nedbank Namibia as the title sponsor, while Autohaus Windhoek, Vivo Energy, AfricaOnline, Agra, B2Gold, Gondwana Collection Namibia, JTC Namibia, King Price, Pupkewitz Megabuild, Town Lodge Windhoek, and WV Manufacturing are co-sponsors, and Future Media is the media partner.