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Joburg Open at Randpark Golf Club. (Photo provided by Sunshine Tour)
- Professional golf in South Africa has received a boost with the revival of the Joburg Open.
- The event will make its return to the Sunshine Tour and European Tour schedules from November 19-22.
- The Joburg Open was last played in 2017 before being absorbed by the South African Open Championship.
South African professional golf has received a major boost with the announcement that the Joburg Open will return to the Sunshine Tour and European Tour schedules in November, thus marking the country’s return to international golf following the lockdown imposed by the coronavirus.
The 2020 Joburg Open will be played from November 19-22 at Randpark Golf Club with the support of the city of Johannesburg and with a prize fund of R19.5 million.
It will be the first international men’s golf tournament on South African fairways in nine months, and a timely boost for the South African economy as it emerges from the lockdown.
It will also be the first in a series of tournaments co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour this summer, with more announcements to come.
Councilor Geoffrey Makhubo, Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, commented through a press release: “We are delighted to announce the return of this world-class golf tournament to our world-class African city. Since the inception of this tournament in 2007, our vision has been that the Joburg Open should benefit all residents of Johannesburg.
“Now more than ever, given that our economy requires a boost after the Covid-19 shutdown and with our president publicly calling for new business stimulus, the return of the Joburg Open is perfectly timed to contribute significantly to this cause as it brings a great international event to our city once again. “
The Joburg Open was last played in 2017 before the city of Johannesburg agreed to support the Sunshine Tour and absorb the event into the South African Open Championship for the duration of the latter in Johannesburg.
The tournament began in 2007 and features an impressive array of previous champions, including big winner Charl Schwartzel and several European Tour champions Branden Grace, George Coetzee, Andy Sullivan and Darren Fichardt.
The last tournament in 2017 was also the first significant victory for Shubhankar Sharma of India and his emergence as one of the new stars of world golf.
“We are very pleased to welcome the Joburg Open back to our calendar in what is also a momentous time for South African professional golf, as we also welcome international competition to our fairways after a long break.” Sunshine Commissioner Thomas Abt said. Excursion.
“I would like to thank the Mayor and City of Johannesburg for so graciously supporting us throughout the duration of the South African Open celebration in Johannesburg, and we are delighted to be able to announce the return of a tournament much loved by the residents of Johannesburg.
“I would also like to thank the Sunshine Tour Board, our sponsors, partners and the European Tour for their support. My special thanks goes to our President, Johann Rupert, who has been instrumental in terms of the strength of our partnership with him. European Tour, and also our Executive Director, Selwyn Nathan, who has worked tirelessly with us to achieve this momentous restart of our international calendar. “
European Tour CEO Keith Pelley added: “I am delighted to see the Joburg Open back on our schedule this year. We have a wonderful relationship with the Sunshine Tour that goes back many years and this co-sanctioned tournament is another. example of that.
“I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Johann Rupert, Thomas Abt, Selwyn Nathan and everyone on the Sunshine Tour for their commitment to making this happen, as well as the Executive Mayor and the City of Johannesburg for their help and support.”
– Sun tour
