IGT Cape, Cape Town (2026)

08/02/2016

Hi Guys IGT Cape is currently under negotiations and a schedule will be released as soon as a verdict is reached. Thanks.

05/02/2016

17/11/2015

Appel clinches Metropolitan Challenge victory

CAPE TOWN, 17 November 2015 – When Christof Appel squandered his overnight lead in the Metropolitan Challenge over the first 10 holes, the successful entrepreneur approached the last eight holes at Metropolitan Golf Club the way he has successfully launched and sold several professional initiatives – plan, execute and enjoy the reward.
The 30-year-old got the job done with an even-par 70 to triumph on six-under-par 134, edging out Kent by one stroke.
“I was two shots behind Matthew through 11,” the Greenpoint resident said.
“I made peace with the fact that I had lost the lead, but reminded myself that there were still birdies to be had over the closing holes, even though the wind was picking up and the last two holes were going to be into the wind.”
Appel had lain down a marker for his first IGT Tour Cape victory with a blistering six under 64 in the first round to take two stroke lead over recent Kuilsrivier Challenge champion Altin van der Merwe.
Kent lagged six strokes off the pace, but when Appel bogeyed the third and double bogeyed 10, the Mowbray Classic winner raced into the lead.
Having opened with a birdie, Kent reeled in a string of four birdies from the third to turn five under and was two strokes ahead through 11 holes. He birdied the par-five 12th, but Appel responded with back a birdie of his own and shaved another shot off his deficit with a birdie at 13.
Appel ensured a two shot cushion with further birdies at 15 and 17.
“I hit a great shot into the 17th green to about 8 feet, and made the putt for birdie to give myself a two shot cushion going to the last,” Appel said.
“I knew 18 was going to be a challenge. We played it into the wind off the back tee and over water, with out of bounds on the right if you didn't commit to the shot. They also put the pin on a slope that could cause you to putt into the bunker if you weren't careful. I hit my shot to the back fringe and lagged my first putt, knowing I could just tap down twice for the win.
“My game was really solid throughout. I got a little careless cleaning up a short putt for par at the third and I was unlucky at the 10th when I hit my second right of the green and the ball wedged under a piece of grass from someone’s divot. I didn’t have a shot, so I had to putt into the bunker and play from there. Sometimes you catch an unlucky break and you just need to deal with it.”
Appel launched Birdiebank last year, a media website that features exclusive high quality content from globally renowned golf coaches and experts in the world of performance and is dedicated to help players at all levels to improve their game.
In the 12 months, he has worked closely with his sponsors, Ping and Golf Science, and good friend, Cape Town based high performance coach Tim Goodenough, who has worked with various Olympic athletes and International teams.
“The guys at Golf Science helped me improve tremendously over the last few months with a few tweaks and changes to my clubs, and Tim has really improved the mental side of my game,” he said.
“Dedication, hard work, taking the advice posted on Birdiebank on board myself, combined with the incredible support from Ping and Golf Science all helped to get me here,” said Appel after collecting the first prize cheque of R11,000, sponsored by The House of Machines.
“I joked with the guys at Golf Science that I was going to dedicate my win to them, but I really do need to thank Warren, Geronne and Renato for all their advice and help when it comes to my equipment. Since they're also based in Cape Town they've been a great resource to me. It does help when you play on a course with such phenomenal conditioning, so a lot of credit and compliments need to go to Francois Gelderblom and his course staff. I would be an idiot if I didn't thank my girlfriend for putting up my with 5am practice sessions before work, she's been an amazing support.
“I also have to applaud Thomas Lovett and Glenn Hurter for bringing the IGT Tour to the Cape. It’s great to have a local platform to compete on and it’s a fantastic initiative for the amateurs and professionals to have the chance to gain competitive experience, I'm excited for what this tour is going to achieve and offer players next year.
“I’m heading to the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School next month and I’m really pleased to get this timely boost in confidence before the big test.”

FINAL RESULT (top 10)

134 Christof Appel 64 70
135 Matthew Kent 70 65
139 Altin Van Der Merwe (ama) 66 73
141 Paul Colditz (ama) 70 71; Cameron Esau 70 71
143 Dylan Raubenheimer (ama) 76 67
144 Thomas Lovett 70 74
146 Arno Marais 71 75
148 Hayden Griffiths (ama) 76 72; Darren Dunlop (ama) 69 79

PHOTO – Christof Appel; credit IGT Tour Cape.

ABOUT THE IGT TOUR
The IGT Challenge Pro Tour launched in 2010 and has fast grown into South Africa’s premier developmental golf tour, offering a tailor-made gateway for amateurs aspiring to join the pro ranks.
The IGT Challenge Pro Tour Gauteng, KZN and Cape provides significant financial opportunities and incentives, and statistical feedback with a full playing schedule of 64 events (36-hole, 54-hole and 72-hole tournaments) that enables its members and non-members to perform at a high level in a strong competitive environment.