The 104th edition of the South African Open Championship will return to Glendower Golf Club, in South Africa’s Gauteng Province, from January 8-11, 2015.
The tournament will now be the first event played on The European Tour International Schedule in 2015, having been moved from its traditional pre-Christmas slot.
Explaining the new date, Selwyn Nathan, the Executive Director of the Sunshine Tour, said: “Since 2010, the commercial rights to the SA Open Championship have been held by Africa Sports Holding (ASH); however, by mutual agreement, the Sunshine Tour has now regained these rights for the 104th SA Open, working in consultation with ASH.
“Given the stature of the SA Open in world golf, it has made sense to move the tournament to this new January slot, which will make it easier for our South African stars to participate. We are extremely grateful to ASH for the hard work they have put into the SA Open.
“We are delighted that we can announce that the City of Ekurhuleni will remain on board as the host sponsor for the 104th SA Open, and would like to thank the Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubele and his executive for their massive support of the SA Open, and professional golf in South Africa. We are also very pleased to be able to return to the magnificent Glendower Golf Club for the second consecutive year.”
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “We are delighted that the South African Open Championship will once again feature on The European Tour International Schedule in January 2015.
“Our members very much enjoyed the challenge presented by Glendower Golf Club last November, and will relish the return. Our sincere thanks goes to everyone at the Sunshine Tour and the City of Ekurhuleni for their support and co-operation in making this new date for the tournament a reality.”
Speaking on behalf of the City of Ekurhuleni, Executive Mayor Councillor Mondli Gungubele said: “We are honoured to once again be the host city of the prestigious South African Open Championship, and look forward to welcoming some of the very best golfers in the world to our aerotropolis. We are very proud to be involved with an event of this stature that gives our city such important exposure to so many decision-makers around the world.”
Gerhard Conradie, President of the South African Golf Association, the custodians of the South African Open Championship, said: “It is excellent news that the South African Open has been announced for January 2015 at Glendower Golf Club, and we look forward to another successful event worthy of the long and illustrious history of one of world golf’s oldest Open championships.”
Last year, Denmark’s Morten Ørum Madsen overhauled local hero Charl Schwartzel to win his maiden European Tour title.
