THE PRIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA

After Ernie Els recorded the incredible feat of winning his fifth South African Open title in 2010 (his previous four wins were in 1992, 1996, 1998 and 2006), he stated on his official website: “Of course all wins are special but this means more than most as it is our national championship."

It is a sentiment shared by all the South African golfers who have lifted their home Open’s iconic trophy. After his win in 2022, Thriston Lawrence said it was “unbelievable”, adding, “I wanna cry. I’ve got no words.”

What makes the SA Open even more special is that the amateurs also get the opportunity to battle it out for another revered trophy – the Freddie Tait Cup – and winning it is as treasured as winning the SA Open is for the pros.

When 18-year-old Yurav Premlall won the event in 2021, he said: “To lift the Freddie Tait Cup is very special... and to finish as the leading amateur and to join the list of past winners is something we all aspire to.”

The 2010 South African Open was the 100th staging of the tournament, making Els’ win even more memorable. It was also played at Durban Country Club, which the SA golfing legend called “a great layout and a great place to play golf”.

Now the world’s second-oldest national Open returns to this much-loved premier golf course for the first time since Els beat his compatriot and good friend Retief Goosen by only one shot.

After experiencing heavy flooding in early 2022 and having to close for 10 months for a major renovation in 2023, Durban Country Club re-emerged the following year as a truly world-class course. It seems an appropriate venue for its 18th staging of this iconic event and it will undoubtedly provide the players and spectators with an event to remember.

In this issue, we celebrate our national Open and this exceptional golf club, led by the brilliant Desiree Stone and her team, with pride. The history of the Investec South African Open is one to treasure, with a multitude of revered names on the trophy, including Gary Player (a record 13 wins), Bobby Locke (nine) and Sid Brews (eight).

The tournament has certainly changed dramatically since these legends’ playing days, with it now being televised around the world, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and boasting a prize purse of $1.5-million. But the sentiment and pride remain, and we are so looking forward to 27 February when we’ll get to watch our finest golfers battle it out at the upgraded Durban Country Club.

Philippa Byron

Editor

IMAGE: TYRONE WINFIELD/SUNSHINE TOUR