JOHANNESBURG - The Sunshine Tour on Wednesday announced that Thomas Abt will assume the role of commissioner of the Tour.
Abt will begin his new role as commissioner on Thursday.
Current commissioner Selwyn Nathan will remain as deputy chairman of the Sunshine Tour and will serve as executive director of the Tour for the duration of the handover to Abt.
Abt was appointed as the deputy commissioner of the Sunshine Tour in February 2018 and as eventual successor to Nathan in the role of commissioner.
Sunshine Tour tournament director Ludwick Manyama has been appointed as the new transformation manager of the tour, while Pauli van Meersbergen, tournament director on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, has been appointed general manager of the Sunshine Ladies Tour.
The Sunshine Tour’s leadership sees the departure of Grant Wilson, the chief operating officer, after 17 years and Theo Manyama, tournament director and globally respected rules official, after 39 years. Both have taken retirement packages.
We would like to wish @ThomasAbt7 all the best in his new role as the Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour effective 1 October 2020!
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) September 30, 2020
Special mention to Selwyn Nathan for all his efforts, who will remain as Deputy Chairman & as Executive Director of the Tour.#GreatnessBeginsHere pic.twitter.com/XJsstrl9pz
Nathan said: “I take great pleasure in welcoming Thomas to the new role of commissioner. Thomas is widely respected throughout the world of golf for his role as first a tournament promoter and then his duties as deputy commissioner. I cannot think of anybody more qualified and more passionate about the Sunshine Tour to take it forward into a new era of growth.
“I would also like to pay tribute to Grant Wilson and Theo Manyama. Both have been incredible servants to the game and the Sunshine Tour. Grant has been instrumental in helping the Tour to build the very strong foundation it enjoys today. And Theo has flown the flag proudly for our Tour and our country around the world where he’s been invited to officiate. They are an integral part of Sunshine Tour history and the success of our Tour.
“Theo’s son Ludwick will carry on his legacy in his current position as a tournament director at the Sunshine Tour and also as the new Transformation Manager as we seek to fully maximise the golf talent we have in Southern Africa.”
“Pauli van Meersbergen has made incredible strides as the first female rules official and then tournament director on the Sunshine Tour, and she is integral to the future success of the Sunshine Ladies Tour.”
Thomas Abt announced as the new Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) September 30, 2020
From everyone at the Sunshine Tour, Congratulations Thomas.#greatnessbeginshere #sunshinetour #riseupseries #vodacomreloaded #vodacom #golf #golfstagram #golfentertainment #progolfer #progolf pic.twitter.com/2qfa92PqbR
African News Agency (ANA)