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The Sunshine Tour is a men's professional golf tour based in Southern Africa. For much of its history it was known either as the South African Tour or the FNB Tour, but it rebranded itself in an attempt to broaden its appeal. A large majority of the tour events are still staged in South Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa
The tour is one of the six leading men's tours which make up the International Federation of PGA Tours, but it offers much less prize money than some of the leading tours, and leading Southern African golfers always prefer to play on the PGA Tour or the European Tour if they can qualify to do so, typically returning to play in Sunshine Tour events a couple of times a year. Top level professional Golf consists of a year round schedule of weekly tournaments played all around the world The PGA Tour is an organization that operates the main professional Golf tours in the United States. The PGA European Tour is an organisation which operates the three leading men's professional Golf tours in Europe the elite European Tour, the European
The tour's three leading official money events, the South African Open, the Dunhill Championship, and the Joburg Open are co-sanctioned with the European Tour in order to attract stronger fields. The South African Open is one of the principal Golf tournaments on the Sunshine Tour and since 1997 it has been co-sanctioned by the European Tour. The Dunhill Championship is a men's professional Golf tournament which is played in South Africa The Joburg Open is a men's professional Golf tournament which was played for the first time from January 11 to January 14, 2007, at the Each season is scheduled across two calendar years and concludes with a tour championship in late February. The 2005/06 season included 21 official money events. The South African Open and the Dunhill Championship had purses of €1 million each and the other 19 had purses designated in South African Rand and ranging from 250,000 rand to 2 million rand. Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e The rand ( sign: R; code: ZAR) is the Currency of South Africa. The tour also co-sanctions the US$5 million HSBC Champions Tournament in China, but it is not an official money event. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been The HSBC Champions is a men's Professional golf 72- hole tournament contested annually since 2005 in November on a course designed
There was at least one tournament every month of the year except July, but the main events took place in the South African summer from November to February. There are separate qualifying schools in March and in late October/early November, effectively dividing the tour into two series of events. The March to October series is a developmental program for emerging, mainly local, players, held when all the leading Southern African players are plying their trade in other parts of the world. The November to February series attracts almost all the top South Africans, even if only for one or two events, and also some good quality international players.
The tour has been open to non-White players since 1991. The first three Black winners were John Mashego at the 1991 Bushveld Classic, Lindani Ndwandwe at the 2001 Western Cape Classic and Tongoona Charamba at the 2006 SAA Pro-Am Invitational. Mokgeteng John Mashego (born 3 January 1951) is a South African Golfer who was the first Black player to win a tournament on the Southern [1]
The richest golf tournament in South Africa is the Nedbank Golf Challenge, an unofficial money but Sunshine Tour-recognized tournament. The Nedbank Golf Challenge is an annual Golf Tournament played over the Gary Player Country Club Course in Sun City, South Africa.
Schedule
The table below shows the main events of the 2008 schedule, defined as those which carry world ranking points. Prize funds shown in brackets do not count towards the Order of Merit. For a complete list of Sunshine Tour sanctioned events see the official site.
The number in brackets after each winner's name is the number of official money Sunshine Tour events he had won up to and including that tournament, including wins in the developmental events not shown here. This information is only shown for Sunshine Tour members.
| Dates | Tournament | Venue (in South Africa unless stated) | Prize fund | Winner | Winner's world ranking points |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-13 Jan | Joburg Open | Royal Johannesburg and Kensington GC | €1,000,000 |  Richard Sterne (3) |
20 | Co-sanctioned by the European Tour |
| 24-27 Jan | Dimension Data Pro-Am | Gary Player CC and Lost City GC | €1,100,000 | James Kamte (2) |
14 | |
| 31 Jan - 3 Feb | Nashua Masters | Wild Coast Sun CC | R1,200,000 |  Marc Cayeux (9) |
14 | |
| 7-10 Feb | Africa Open Golf Challenge | Fish River Sun CC | R1,200,000 | Shaun Norris (1) |
14 | New event |
| 14-17 Feb | Vodacom Championship | Pretoria CC | R2,400,000 | James Kingston (10) |
14 | |
| 21-24 Feb | Telkom PGA Championship | Country Club Johannesburg | R2,500,000 | Louis Oosthuizen (4) |
14 |
Order of Merit winners
The Order of Merit winners are shown below. The Official World Golf Rankings is a system for rating the performance level of male professional Golfers. The Joburg Open is a men's professional Golf tournament which was played for the first time from January 11 to January 14, 2007, at the Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e Professional wins (5 European Tour wins (3 2004 Open de Madrid 2007 Celtic Manor Wales Open 2008 Joburg The PGA European Tour is an organisation which operates the three leading men's professional Golf tours in Europe the elite European Tour, the European The Dimension Data Pro-Am is one of the principal annual Golf tournaments on the Southern African Sunshine Tour. Please update other articles as well to avoid contradiction within Wikipedia e Early life Kamte was a football player in his childhood and his nickname "Cobra" comes from his football days The rand ( sign: R; code: ZAR) is the Currency of South Africa. The rand ( sign: R; code: ZAR) is the Currency of South Africa. The Vodacom Championship is an event on Golf 's Sunshine Tour, played in February each year in South Africa. The rand ( sign: R; code: ZAR) is the Currency of South Africa. Professional wins (15 European Tour wins (1 2008 South African Airways Open (2007 calendar year 2008 season co-sanctioned with Sunshine Tour The South African PGA Championship is the season ending championship of the Sunshine Tour. The rand ( sign: R; code: ZAR) is the Currency of South Africa. Amateur wins (6 2000 World Junior Championship 2001 All African Games (Kenya Transvaal Amateur Stroke Play Championship (South Africa Players are required to play in a minimum number of tournaments to qualify for the Order of Merit. As the richest events on the tour (those co-sanctioned by the European Tour) tend to be won by players who don't play enough events to qualify, in recent years the Order of Merit winner has often not actually been the player who won most money in Sunshine Tour sanctioned events.
- This list is incomplete.
| Season | Player | Country | Earnings (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | James Kingston | South Africa |
1,980,688. The rand ( sign: R; code: ZAR) is the Currency of South Africa. Professional wins (15 European Tour wins (1 2008 South African Airways Open (2007 calendar year 2008 season co-sanctioned with Sunshine Tour The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 65 |
| 2006/07 | Charl Schwartzel | South Africa |
1,585,117. Amateur wins (3 2002 Indian Amateur Open Championship (tied Brabazon Trophy, Transvaal Amateur Championship (South Africa Professional The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 41 |
| 2005/06 | Charl Schwartzel | South Africa |
1,207,459. Amateur wins (3 2002 Indian Amateur Open Championship (tied Brabazon Trophy, Transvaal Amateur Championship (South Africa Professional The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 70 |
| 2004/05 | Charl Schwartzel | South Africa |
1,635,850. Amateur wins (3 2002 Indian Amateur Open Championship (tied Brabazon Trophy, Transvaal Amateur Championship (South Africa Professional The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 44 |
| 2003/04 | Darren Fichardt | South Africa |
726,544. Darren Clive Fichardt (born 13 May 1975) is a South African Golfer Fichardt was born in Pretoria and grew up in Centurion The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 74 |
| 2002/03 | Trevor Immelman | South Africa |
2,044,279. Biography Immelman was born in Cape Town, South Africa Born into a golfing family (his father Johan is the former commissioner of the Sunshine Tour in South The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 45 |
| 2001/02 | Tim Clark | South Africa |
1,669,900. Professional wins (9 European Tour wins (3 2002 Bell's South African Open (co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour) 2005 The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 71 |
| 2000/01 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
1,603,481. Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election 36 |
| 1999/00 | Darren Fichardt | South Africa |
558,735. Darren Clive Fichardt (born 13 May 1975) is a South African Golfer Fichardt was born in Pretoria and grew up in Centurion The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 17 |
| 1998/99 | David Frost | South Africa |
1,189,761. Professional wins (22 PGA Tour wins (10 1988 (2 Southern Open, Northern Telecom Tucson Open 1989 The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 60 |
| 1997/98 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
589,052. Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election 50 |
| 1996/97 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
556,226. Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election 57 |
| 1995/96 | Wayne Westner | South Africa |
709,388. Wayne Brett Westner (born 28 September 1961) is a South African Golfer Westner was born in Johannesburg. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 66 |
| 1994/95 | Ernie Els | South Africa |
460,488. Early life Growing up just east of Johannesburg in Kempton Park South Africa he played Rugby union, Cricket, Tennis, and starting at age 8 The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 35 |
| 1993/94 | Tony Johnstone | Zimbabwe |
297,358. Anthony Alastair "Tony" Johnstone (born 2 May 1956) is a Zimbabwean Golfer Johnstone was born in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election 75 |
| 1992/93 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
250,079. Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election 16 |
| 1991/92 | Ernie Els |  South Africa |
|
| 1990/91 | |||
| 1989/90 | |||
| 1988/89 | Tony Johnstone | Zimbabwe |
|
| 1987/88 | |||
| 1986/87 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
|
| 1985/86 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
|
| 1984/85 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
|
| 1983/84 | Gavan Levenson | South Africa |
|
| 1982/83 | Nick Price | Zimbabwe |
|
| 1981/82 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
|
| 1980/81 | Mark McNulty | Zimbabwe |
|
| 1979/80 | Gary Player | South Africa |
|
| 1978/79 | Hugh Baiocchi | South Africa |
|
| 1977/78 | |||
| 1976/77 | Gary Player | South Africa |
|
| 1975/76 | |||
| 1974/75 | |||
| 1973/74 | Hugh Baiocchi | South Africa |
References
- ^ Charamba rewrites history at SAA Pro-Am Invitational, pgatour. Early life Growing up just east of Johannesburg in Kempton Park South Africa he played Rugby union, Cricket, Tennis, and starting at age 8 The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Anthony Alastair "Tony" Johnstone (born 2 May 1956) is a Zimbabwean Golfer Johnstone was born in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election Gavan Neil Levenson (born 18 December 1953) is a South African Golfer Levenson was born in Johannesburg. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Background Price is a Zimbabwean citizen but was born in Durban, South Africa. See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election Career After a successful amateur career McNulty began his professional career on the Southern African Tour (now the Sunshine Tour) and also played on the European Tour See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election Background and family Gary Player was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the youngest of Harry and Muriel Player's three children The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Hugh John Baiocchi (born 17 August 1946) is a South African Golfer who has won more than twenty professional tournaments around the world The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Background and family Gary Player was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, the youngest of Harry and Muriel Player's three children The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Hugh John Baiocchi (born 17 August 1946) is a South African Golfer who has won more than twenty professional tournaments around the world The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa co. za, 22 May 2006. Events 334 BC - The Greek army of Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
See also
External links
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