Caldiera burns up the course to win National Pro-Am

Krugersdorp Golf Club’s Calvin Caldiera won the National Mbombela Pro-Am, hosted by Darren Plumb and sanctioned by the Professional Golfers’ Association of South Africa.

The individual Stableford tournament was played over 54 holes from November 20 to 22 at the immaculately prepared course at Mbombela Golf Club.

Caldiera’s total of 117 points secured him the 2022 title.

Edward Compton of Leopard Creek led the National Mbombela Pro-Am after the first round on Sunday with 42 points. His round included seven birdies.

Kenneth Dube of Royal Oak Country

Club was second on 40 and two-time winner Ivano Ficalbi of the PGA of South Africa third on 39 points.

Caldiera finished the first round sixth on 37 points.

He was on fire on day two and his 42 points gave him a total of 79 and first place on the leaderboard. He shot seven birdies in the second round.

Compton finished the second round in second place with 78 points.

Dean Nysschen of Bryanston Country Club and Ficalbi were tied third on

75 points.

Caldiera’s third round of 38 points took his total to 117 and secured him the 2022 National Mbombela Pro-Am champion’s title.

Ficalbi and Nysschen finished tied second on 110 points. Rudy Whitfield of Glendower Golf Club, Dube and Compton tied for fourth with 108 points.

Other Lowvelders' results:

• T7th. Cameron Borcher (Mbombela Golf Club) - 100

• T15th. Dalton Viviers (Mbombela Golf Club) - 97

• T19th. Jacques du Preez (Mbombela Golf Club) - 95

• 26th. Darren Plumb (Mbombela Golf Club) - 76

• 27th. Siyabulela Magadla (Leopard Creek) - 69.

“This was the fourth playing of the PGA of SA National Pro-Am. The event saw

PGA professionals and their amateurs from all over SA descend on the picturesque Lowveld club to compete against one another.

“The event saw a record number of entries and was another huge success. It was made possible with the assistance of main sponsors NKP Consultants, SAB and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.

“We received so many compliments about the state and hospitality of the club and the town in general, including the restaurants and accommodation that the players frequented. We can only thank the whole Mbombela community for their friendly open-arms attitude.

“We look forward to hosting these type of events as they bring in out-of-towners to support and enjoy what Mbombela has to offer. We encourage the local golfers to also join in these events and make new friends or rekindle old relationships.

“The PGA slogan ‘Touching lives through the game of golf', is what we try achieve each day at our club’s day-to-day activities and where we can assist those less fortunate, especially as we approach the festive season, said Darren Plumb.

Top three results of the National Mbombela Pro-Am fourball alliance Stableford (two scores to count):

• 1st. Edwin Compton (pro), Shaun Theron, Brian Theron and HJ du Plessis - 261 points

• 2nd. Calvin Caldiera (pro), Maruschka Cameron, Martie Horn and Fanus Wilken - 259

• 3rd. Jacques Kok (pro), Barend Kok, Matt Prohl and Gerhard Vos - 254.