South Africa’s standing in the international golf rankings is set to rise a notch or two in January next year with the launch of the inaugural Jo’burg Open.
A public-sector partnership with the City of Johannesburg, the Gauteng Economic Development Agency and a number of commercial sponsors, including Mesana Technologies and Eskom, has rallied round the first staging of the multimillion-rand event, to be hosted at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club from January 11 to 14.
The partnership’s support of this tournament, a joint venture between the Sunshine Tour and the European Tour, will add immeasurably to the profile of this world-class event.
”We want everyone in the city to feel that the Jo’burg Open belongs to them,” said Amos Masondo, the executive mayor of Johannesburg. ”The tournament will showcase the city and its people to sports lovers throughout the world. We hope that what they see is a dynamic, multicultural community and a sophisticated destination that is ideal for events such as this.”
As one of the richest tournaments on the Sunshine Tour calendar, the Jo’burg Open will also be one of the largest.
With a total field size of 200 professionals — 100 each from the two Tours — both the East and West courses at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington will be played over the first two rounds, with the field moving to the West Course after the halfway cut, set at 70-plus ties.
A key objective of the tournament is to raise funds for the establishment of a development driving range near Diepsloot, north of Sandton. The range will offer schoolchildren and other members of the community regular coaching sessions. Those who show talent and persist with their training will receive free second-hand equipment and, eventually, club membership. — Sapa