JOHANNESBURG – The City of Joburg is gearing up for one of the most exciting professional golf events on the Sunshine Tour’s calendar next weekend, when the 12th edition of the Joburg Open starts on Thursday at a new venue, the Randpark Golf Club.
In a major change for the Joburg Open 2018, the Asian Tour has been added as the third sanctioning tour to endorse the Joburg Open along with longstanding PGA’s the Sunshine Tour and European Tour. This now officially makes the Joburg Open the only tri-sanctioned tournament in South Africa.
It also sees the field growing from 206 to 240 professionals, which means the stakes have been upped for the golfers aiming to clinch the prestigious winners title, one of three qualifying spots for The Open Championship, or be among the prize money finishers of the tournament for their share of the R16,5 million prize purse.
The Joburg Open remains the only South African tournament serving as an official qualifier for oldest major, The Open Championship the following season, with the top three finishers receiving qualification into The Open Championship.
With some of the biggest names from the three tours billed for the tournament, including the Sunshine Tour’s Louis Oosthuizen, alongside former tournament champions Richard Sterne, Haydn Porteus and Darren Fichardt, residents of Johannesburg and golf lovers who attend the tournament are guaranteed spectacular action on the fairways.
The 240 professionals will take to the immaculate and championship conditioned greens at Firethorn and Bushwillow courses at Randpark Golf Club starting Thursday, 7 December before the cut is made at close of play on Friday. The remaining 65 professionals (including ties) proceed to the final two rounds, which will be played on Saturday and Sunday at Firethorn Course.
Spectators who come to follow the tournament at Randpark Golf Club or those watching the daily SuperSport broadcast between 12h00 to 18h00, are all in for a massive treat as a monumental batter battle unfolds on the greens.
The City of Joburg has pulled out all stops to create an unusual and attractive public facility for all Spectators coming from all the corners of the world to follow the tournament. “We have brought out a range of delicious food trucks and craft stalls in the public facility operated by select group of young and sassy entrepreneurs for the enjoyment of spectators in true Joburg style,” says Bongi Mokaba, Events Director of the City of Joburg and Tournament Promoter of the Joburg Open.
The food-truck culture has become synonymous with how Joburg residents spend their weekends and the City has introduced this element into the Joburg Open, making it another cool hangout for the weekend. In addition, beadmaker and entrepreneur NtoZinhle, who makes beautifully crafted beadworks, will showcase and sell her pieces at a pop-up shop at the tournament.
“This is just one of the ways in which the City of Joburg is exposing young talent to the world of business and ensuring we’re building an entrepreneurship pool. By purposefully aiding and abetting entrepreneurship in the City of Joburg, we’re touching lives differently and are fully aware of its powerful ripple effect in our communities,” says Mokaba.
Public Access tickets can be purchased at the Public Entrance at Arend Park on arrival at the Randpark Golf Club. Ticket prices are R80 per day for Thursday and Friday, and R100 for Saturday and Sunday, or R180 for the 4 days. Tickets can also be bought online at www.ticketpro.co.za.