The Central University of Technology Golf captain Mojalefa Xaba came out tops once again after winning the 2022 Mangaung Open Champion title at the Mangaung Open Tournament held on 19 and 20 March 2022 at the Bloemfontein’s Schoeman Park Golf Club.  He won the trophy and a few tour bags.

The 28-year-old, the Information Technology student from QwaQwa in the Eastern Free State, has been playing the game for 19 years. He said that winning the tournament means a lot to him and his golf career as he is preparing for the Qualifying School Tournament in Johannesburg in May 2022. “As CUT’s Golf captain, I feel proud of this achievement, and I must say this looks good for the USSA national tournament that I will be attending in two weeks at Cape Town Paarl Golf Club.”

Xaba added that the event was a big and well-organised tournament played by good amateurs and professional golfers. “I would like to thank the Mangaung Golf Association in partnership with ABSA Bank for making this tournament a success.”

In 2021 Xaba and his partner Fatso Olifant from Mangaung Golf Association won the 2021 Captains Cup Competition. Among other achievements, he has been ranked number one in South African Golf development board under 18 in 2009. He became part of the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation for 3 years (2010-2012) and according to Free State golf history, he became the first player of colour to win the overall Free State Open Tournament twice. Ernie Els personally invited him to watch the Honda Classic in Florida (America) in 2012. He represented South African Golf development team playing against the Scotland team and managed to halve the game. He also represented the Free State in different categories at the inter-provincial tournaments from 2011 to date. He received the Best Player of the Tournament Award at inter clubs- Kyalami, Johannesburg in 2021. He is a three-times-winner of the Peter Itholeng Tournament that is taking place in Bloemfontein. Xaba is also part of the team that managed to take the CUT team to the A- division at USSA tournaments in Qheberha. He further won two races in major tournaments in Johannesburg and was selected by the Free State to join the ‘A’ team that represented the province at Elements in October 2021.

The Mangaung Open is a tournament organised by the Mangaung Golf Association (MGA) for all golf players in and outside the country. This tournament plays over two days, and the overall winner is determined by his/her gross score. The vision of MGA is to maximise the participation of black golfers to unearth and advance talent.

Captions

1: Mojalefa Xaba, CUT Golf Captain and the 2022 Mangaung Open Champion showing off his well-deserved trophy.

2: From left: Mojalefa Xaba with the sponsor, Mr Thando Majola, Absa Bank Regional Manager: Home Loans.