Due to Coronavirus pandemic worldwide the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge now pencilled for 2021, the organisers of the SA Open today, confirmed the prestigious event will take place at Sun City (home of NGC) from December 3 to 6, 2020.
In the absence of the Nedbank Golf Challenge this year, Nedbank and Sun International – both longstanding sponsors of South African professional golf – agreed to support the country’s national Open and the playing opportunities it provides for South Africa’s leading professionals and top amateurs, while at the same time providing the critical business stimulus required in South African professional golf at this time.
The 110th playing of the second oldest national Open in golf will complete a thrilling three-week run of tournaments co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour.
“We are grateful to the Sunshine Tour, European Tour, Nedbank and Sun International for their support of our national Open and for sharing our desire to see this great championship played despite what has been a very challenging year. The South African Open is not only about the professionals, but also an important stage for our leading amateurs to test their skills as the next generation of stars,” said Martin Saaiman, acting President of the South African Golf Association (SAGA).
“We also think it is apt that the Gary Player Country Club will be the host of this year’s championship, considering that Gary Player won a record 13 South African Open titles.”
“Nedbank has a long and proud history with the game of golf and we value the role we can play in the restart of South African golf’s international calendar following the COVID-19 lockdown. Traditionally, South African golf fans would have been looking forward to ‘Africa’s Major’ at Sun City at this time of the year, and in this way they can still look forward to a great r event in the form of the world’s second oldest national Open,” said Mike Brown, Chief Executive of Nedbank.
Anthony Leeming, Chief Executive of Sun International, said: “We are extremely proud to be able to host the South African Open Championship, one of the flagship tournaments of South African golf. The Gary Player Country Club is in pristine condition as a combination of being well-prepared for the Nedbank Golf Challenge before we had to cancel this year’s event, and the lack of significant traffic as a result of the national lockdown. So we are confident this year’s field will encounter a golf course in excellent condition and very much worthy of this great championship.”
Although the NGC comes with high pedigree associated with it, the SA Open should not disappoint at the world’s favourite playground- from 3 to 6 December.
The SA Open‚ with prize money of R19.5m‚ will complete a three-week run of tournaments‚ including the Joburg Open and the Alfred Dunhill Championship that are co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour.
Though no spectators or media will be allowed, the Sunshine Tour believes it can bring the events front of mind for golf fans.
Full list of players will be released at later stage.
