JOHANNESBURG is to host a top golfing event - expected to attract an international field - from 2006.
The Joburg Open, held under the auspices of the Sunshine Tour and co-sanctioned by the European Tour, will carry a purse of about R5,5-million, significantly raising the profile of the Sunshine Tour and giving added incentive to top international players to travel to South Africa.
"We aim to create an atmosphere at the event that reflects the colour and vibrancy of Johannesburg, which is fast becoming known around the world as the driving force in African economics," said Johan Immelman, the Sunshine Tour commissioner.
"The Joburg Open will have four days of live television coverage and reach 180 million households worldwide, which adds up to great publicity, and that's not only for golf, so we're working closely with the City."
The tournament, which will be staged in the heart of Johannesburg in the second week of January, joins the Dunhill Championship and the South African Airways Open as events co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
"It is a great honour to invite the European Tour back to our shores for a third stop on their South African swing," Immelman said. "We are delighted to build on the strong and healthy relationship we have enjoyed with our European counterparts over many years."
Leon Plutsick, the chief executive officer at Easy Golf Worldwide, the organisation responsible for promoting the Joburg Open, described the tournament as "a very exciting concept, which will give us an opportunity to showcase one of the great cities of Africa".
The four-day, 72-hole event will be tied in with various charities, forming part of a week-long festival of golf and related activities. "We have no doubt that this concept has longevity and will be a fixture for many years to come," Plutsick said.
Tournament sponsors, dates, prize money and venue will be announced at a later date.
Article courtesy www.SouthAfrica.info
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