Randpark GC to break new SA Open ground alongside City of Johannesburg
This will mark the third time in its history that the South African Open will be played at Randpark. The previous events were played there in 1995 and 2000.
The City of Johannesburg has been announced as the proud new host of the South African Open, as the second oldest national Open in golf will be played at Randpark Golf Club from 6 to 9 December.
It was announced on Monday, 22 October that a decision had been taken in partnership with GolfRSA, the City of Johannesburg, the European Tour and the Asian Tour to create an even greater stage for the South African Open by merging it with the Joburg Open. The South African Open, which will be hosted by the City of Johannesburg for the first time since 2002, when it was held at The Country Club Johannesburg, will be played on Randpark’s two championship golf courses, Firethorn and Bushwillow.
The tournament will feature a field of 240 professionals – including Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel and former champion Brandon Stone – all competing for a minimum of R17,5 million in prize money. The championship will also, for the first time in its history, be a tri-sanctioned championship between the Sunshine Tour, European Tour and Asian Tour, and will retain the international qualifying opportunities of the Joburg Open.
“The new South African Open brings together the invaluable passion and support of the City of Johannesburg for professional golf with the second oldest national Open in the game, and the result is now one truly world-class golf tournament,” said Selwyn Nathan, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
The Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, councillor Herman Mashaba, said he was delighted that the city will continue to position itself at the forefront of world golf through its hosting of a major championship such as the South African Open.
“We are extremely proud to be the new host city of the South African Open and to be able to translate the excellence of the Joburg Open into a new future for this historic championship. We look forward to continuing to showcase what Johannesburg has to offer, and to taking this message to Europe as well as Asia as we seek to use the global footprint of this tournament to benefit the residents of our city.”
The South African Open will also occupy a premier place as one of the first tournaments on the European Tour’s new season.
“It has been our privilege to play a role in the growth of the South African Open and we look forward to taking this event further in its new role with the City of Johannesburg as a partner,” said European Tour Chief Executive Officer, Keith Pelley. “The championship’s prime positioning on our schedule makes it a very attractive tournament for our members, who love playing in South Africa.”
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