Meet our Hosts

Each host of a Glacier Junior Series event is either a South African professional golfing legend or a prominent leader within the golf industry. What they share in common is a passion for junior golf and that is why they have supported one of our regional events. Some may be a little more familiar to you than others - click on their names or pictures to learn a little more about them.
Charl Schwartzel
After a dominant junior amateur career in South Africa and winning amateur events overseas, Charl Schwartzel represented his country in the 2002 Eisenhower Trophy. Schwartzel is a five time winner on the European Tour and has won four events on the Sunshine Tour.   read more
Dale Hayes
Dale Hayes, the Boys 15-17 category winner at the 1969 Junior World Golf Championships winner, became the youngest European Tour winner (18 years, 290 days) when he won the 1971 Spanish Open, a record only surpassed in 2009.   read more
Dave Usendorff
Dave Usendorff played for Eastern Province before taking up the Golf Director position at Centurion Golf Club in 1998. During his tenure, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the SA PGA and won the 1997 and 1998 Club Pro Series Order of Merit.   read more
Ernie Els
One of South Africa’s most successful golfers of all time, Ernie Els reached scratch at the age of 14. By 1992, he matched Gary Player with a hat-trick of SA Open, SA PGA and SA Masters titles. Els has more than 60 victories including three majors.  read more
Hettie Els
Mother of one of South Africa’s greatest golf players, Hettie Els is the fitting host in the tournament. Hettie was her son’s biggest supporter, always encouraging him to aim for greater heights.  read more
Ivano Ficalbi
MD of Dale Hayes Golf Events, Ivano Ficalbi left the professional circuit and joined the PGA in 2001 as an apprentice based at Woodhill Country Club and then moved to Mabaligwe as the head professional.   read more
James Kingston
Professional since 1988, James Kingston has become a global golfer, campaigning on four continents. He enjoyed his best European Tour season in 2008 earning nearly one million Euros and finished 17th in the Race to Dubai.  read more
Jannie Ackerman
A founding member of the Sunshine Tour and professional golfer since 1978, Jannie Ackerman campaigned on the Sunshine Tour until 1994. Although he retired from the pro circuit, he kept his professional status.  read more
Jean Hugo
Jean Hugo turned professional after winning the 1998 South African Amateur Championship. He has won 10 times on the Sunshine Tour. Winner of the European Challenge Tour’s Volvo Finnish Open, he also has four top-10 finishes on European Tour.  read more
John Bland
In 2007, John Bland received the Lawrence Batley Trophy in recognition of being the highest-placed golfer over the age of 60 on the 2007 European Seniors Tour Order of Merit.  read more
Louis Oosthuizen
In July 2010, Louis became South Africa’s sixth major champion when he won the Open Championship at St Andrews. Oosthuizen, a five-time winner on the Sunshine Tour, including two PGA Championship titles, also won the European Tour’s 2010 Andalucía Open in Spain.  read more
Nathan Selwyn
Nathan has a long and varied history in sport in South Africa, from participation to administrative to sponsorship arenas. Nathan was instrumental in setting up Vodacom Sports and Entertainment.  read more
Papwa Sewgolum
Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum (1930-1978) carved a niche in local golf folklore when he became the first South African golfer of ethnic Indian origin to win an open championship in South Africa. He was famous for his wrong-way-round grip (left hand beneath the right).  read more
Peter Matkovich
Zimbabwe-born Peter Matkovich moved to South Africa in 1973. A former club professional, professional and golf course superintendent, Matkovich turned to golf course design and completed his first project at Umhlali Country Club in 1975..  read more
Richard Sterne
Richard Sterne learned to play the game from his grandmother at the age of four. In 1999, Sterne won the SA Junior Stroke Play and Match Play Championship and the SA Amateur, adding the SA Amateur Stroke Play in 2001.  read more
Sally Little
Sally Little dominated the South African amateur and professional scene for over 30 years. Ranked among the LPGA’s top-50 all time players and teachers, Little is involved with golf course design as well as both junior and amateur golf development in South Africa.  read more
Theo Manyama
Theo Manyama has served the PGA of South Africa and Sunshine Tour as a rules official at local and international golf events since 1992. Named a Master Professional of the PGA of South Africa in 2010, Manyama – starting his journey as a caddie at Huddle Park – will be inducted into the South African Golf Hall of Fame in December 2010.  read more
Thomas Aiken
In 2001 Thomas Aiken was named South African Amateur of the Year for his 10 wins and 15 top-three finishes. Aiken bid farewell to a glittering amateur career in 2002, taking two years to break into the winners circle on the Sunshine Tour. Although Aiken is still chasing a win in Europe his tally on the Sunshine Tour has grown to seven.  read more
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