BYRNE AND STEWART WIN SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR CARDS

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com  Winning Walker Cup team-mates at Balgownie in 2011, Banchory's James Byrne and Michael Stewart from Troon have  earned membership of a pro tour for the 2013 season.  They finished on the same 12 under par mark of 348 after five rounds of the Southern Africa PGA Sunshine Tour Qualifying School at Schoeman Park Golf Club.  Byrne, pictured left, played on the Asian Tour last year and he also won the Northern Open on the Tartan Tour but Stewart has enjoyed little luck since he turned pro. His form these past few days in South Africa suggest that Michael has found the key to the door of his old amateur form. Stewart was officially placed 11th with scores of 72, 70, 67, 70 and 69.  Byrne finished 12th with rounds of 68, 66, 73, 71 and 70.  Stewart, pictured right, earned 4,000 South African Rand, Byrne 3,500.A total of 36 players with aggregates or 354 or better earned playing rights on the Sunshine Tour. Stewart and Byrne finished high up in the pecking order and this should gain them entry to all the tour events. Byrne might well finish up with two strings to his bow as far as 2013 tours are concerned. Next week he is playing in the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School in Thailand.    Winner of the 90-hole endurance test at Bloemfontein and Schoeman Park golf clubs was a German,Torben Baurmann, with scores of 70, 70, 67, 65 and 62 for a 26-under-par total of 334. That is some scoring. Remember the name. He might well be the next Bernhard Langer or even Martin Kaymer. SUNSHINE TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL  Schoeman Park Golf Club, South Africa  Leading 36 players with totals of 354 and better  earned playing rights on tour.  LEADING FINAL TOTALS  Par 360 (5x72) Players from South Africa unless stated 334 Torben Baurmann (Ger) 70 70 67 65 62. 337 J P Van der Walt 66 66 69 70 66. 339 M J Daffue 63 70 70 69 67, Johan de Beer 72 66 67 64 70 SELECTED TOTALS 346 Laurie Canter (Eng) 68 74 66 72 66 (9th). 348 Michael Stewart (Sco) 72 70 67 70 (11th), James Byrne (Sco) 68 66 73 73 70 (12th).  352 Ross McGowan (Eng) 70 68 71 69 74 (24th).  MISSED THE CUT  (Players with totals of 354 and better earned cards) 355 Rhys Enoch (Wal) 73 69 71 71 71, Michael Downes (Eng) 69 71 71 74 70. 357 Tim Rice (Ire) 71 68 71 73 74 359 Joe Braddon (Eng) 78 76 69 64 72