Andy Capostagno golf
Leopard Creek is the kind of golf course that gets built when money is no object. It includes a clubhouse so exclusive that the professionals who are pegging it up in this week’s Tour Championship are not allowed in. That doesn’t apply to Ernie Els, of course, although since he owns a house on the 15th fairway it is of little consequence to him anyway. Els, Leopard Creek and the tournament that rounds off this season on the Sunshine Tour are all here for one reason: Johan Rupert is a very wealthy man. The Rembrandt Group heir who has been one of the guiding forces in the resurgence of the tour fits the wise old saw perfectly; if you can count how much money you’ve got you’re not really wealthy. Rupert’s wealth allowed him to ask Gary Player to help him design Leopard Creek, get Els to take a holiday home and to raise the green on the 13th high enough for a spectacular view across the Crocodile river and into the Kruger Park. The last feat involved moving so much earth that rumour has it the view cost R30-million. But when the green was washed away by a flood Rupert was able to close the course and rebuild it as though nothing had happened. All of which rather puts into perspective the R2-million purse for this week’s tournament, but it happens to be a very significant one nonetheless, since R315 000 will go to the winner. Only 75 players will contest this limited field event where no 36-hole cut means that everyone earns money (apart from three invited amateurs) and there are two important prizes on offer.
At the bottom end of the scale there will be a battle royal to end among the top 50 in the order of merit, thereby ensuring playing privi-leges for the whole of next season, a season that looks set to include no fewer than three events co-sanctioned by the European Tour. At the top of the scale there is the battle to be runner-up to Mark McNulty in the order, a position that earns invitations worldwide. Roger Wessels is currently second, but only about R60 000 clear of third-placed Trevor Immelman, the winner of the Players Championship at Royal Cape.