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DESTINY
Getting a breakthrough win may seem impossible at times, but one good week can change the trajectory of a career
By BRENDAN BARRATT
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The Women’s Open tees off at Royal Porthcawl
When the Fortress Invitational tees off later this month, the chances are it will do so without its two-time defending champion, Robin Williams.
The South African will instead be playing at the Madrid Open, hoping for a strong end to his DP World Tour season – and to earn enough points to retain his playing rights on that Tour. That Williams will not be targeting a hat-trick of titles at Glendower is ironically due in no small part to his success here and the opportunities it has created. Rather than lament his absence, the sponsors and the Sunshine Tour should be celebrating a job well done – having helped launch a very promising golfing career.
'The Fortress Invitational changed my whole career,' says Williams. ‘I was a struggling pro on the Sunshine Tour, trying to keep my card, and then all of a sudden I had a week that changed everything. That got me into the co-sanctioned events, which opened up a door to Europe and I had a good season there. But if it wasn’t for that week at the Fortress, I probably wouldn’t be in the position I am in now.’
‘If it wasn’t for that week at the Fortress, I probably wouldn’t be in the position I am in now’
– Robin Williams
FUTURE INVESTMENT
In August, the Sunshine Tour and Fortress Real Estate Investments announced a significant increase in the prize money for the 2025 Fortress Invitational, as well as an increase in the bonus for the Fortress Rookie of the Year award.
This year’s event will be played at Glendower GC from 16-19 October for an increased purse of R2.5m. This represents an increase of R1m in prize money since the Fortress Invitational first teed off in 2022.
This season’s Fortress Rookie of the Year winner will also walk off with a cheque for R400 000, which is double the previous season.
‘It’s all part of our commitment to growing the game, backing today’s top competitors, and paving the way for the future of South African golf on the Sunshine Tour, while investing in our brand,’ said Steven Brown, CEO of Fortress Real Estate Investments.
The week, and the win, did more than just open doors for Williams – it gave him a real sense of self-belief that he could compete with, and beat, the best professionals.
'I was playing OK in the lead-up to the tournament, but I found something during the week,’ he said. ‘My driver just clicked, and if you drive the ball well at Glendower, you put yourself into a lot of scoring positions, because at altitude it’s not a particularly long course, especially when it’s hot and dry.’
Although he was aware that he had built up a massive six-stroke lead, it was only after his approach shot landed safely on the 18th green during the final round that Williams allowed himself to relax.
‘It was such a surreal moment, because winning a golf tournament is so difficult,’ he says. ‘It doesn’t matter what level you are playing at, winning is hard. You need everything to go right for you and you need to catch a couple of breaks on the way – like hitting a bad shot that bounces back into the fairway or something like that. I felt like everything went my way that week. It was meant to be.’
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‘One year later, Williams would again enjoy the experience of winning at Glendower, as he successfully defended his Fortress Invitational title, this time by three strokes over Daniel van Tonder.
Two weeks before, I had come fourth at the Dunhill Links,’ he says. ‘I remember I was exhausted because I had been playing a nine-week stretch, but I had been playing well and had such good memories of the Fortress Invitational, on a course I love. I shot eight under in the first round and I thought to myself, “This could be another special week.”’
He followed up his opening round with a score of 65 in round two, before weekend scores of 70 and 67 secured a comfortable win. Notably, Williams finished the week 17 under par on the par fives, with 13 birdies and two eagles – and in so doing may have revealed the blueprint to success around the 6 894m Glendower layout.
‘You can really take advantage of the par fives,’ he says,’and I think the longest club I had into the par fives that week was an 8-iron.’
Gallery below
Gallery below
This year, players will have even more motivation to get their name on the Fortress Invitational trophy after the Sunshine Tour announced a R1-million increase in prize money for the event. The field will now compete for a total prize pool of R2.5-million – making it one of the richest tournaments on the Tour, outside the co-sanctioned events.
Yet a healthy first prize cheque is just the beginning.
‘We are recognised globally by the next generation of professionals as a true Tour of opportunity that can open doors into some of the biggest and most prestigious tournaments in our game,’ said Sunshine Tour commissioner Thomas Abt.
Williams is a perfect example of how one good week can be a springboard to a successful future on the HotelPlanner Tour, DP World Tour or potentially even beyond. His absence this week may well prove to be the greatest motivator of all.
TYRONE WINFIELD/SUNSHINE TOUR
