The Woodlands Junior Masters Golf Championship is privileged to have received the official recognition and support of the Sunshine Tour circuit’s celebrity players, since 2014. The Sunshine Tour golfers routinely graciously offer to team up with Woodlands, with the 2023 Championship unfortunately not enjoying the pleasure of their company owing to a late-in-the-day rescheduling of their Sunshine Tour commitments. The lessons to be learned by the aspiring Juniors in shadowing these accomplished professionals and their caddies in a competitive environment, and the opportunity to glean from the best in the business their unique formulas for performing at the highest levels, is invariably a game-changing experience for them!
South Africa is one of the most prolific producers of world-class golfing talent in the world, and the Sunshine Tour has been integral to our nation’s success. The Tour has produced some of the most successful golfers on the PGA and DP World Tour, both past and present, such as Gary Player, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen, Trevor Immelman, Charl Schwartzel, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Erik Van Rooyen, and Garrick Higgo.
The Sunshine Tour has partnered with various organisations, brands, and stakeholders to create a platform for golfers from the southern African region and abroad to display their talent and become successful golfers on the global stage. These partners include the DP World Tour, Golf RSA, the South African Golf Development Board, the South African Golf Association, and the PGA of South Africa, with all of these organisations contributing to the Sunshine Tour becoming one of the premier golf tours in the world.
In addition, hosting tournaments in the southern African region and visiting a variety of regions, climates, and courses helps stimulate economic growth and activity by involving local communities in varying capacities. These Sunshine Tour events have become highly anticipated both for players and golf fans. Of these events, none are more anticipated than the Joburg Open, the Investec SA Open Championship, and the Alfred Dunhill Championship; all are Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co- sanctioned events. These tournaments have seen some of the most well-known players in the world compete, including Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, and Henrik Stenson.
The Sunshine Tour’s mission statement is “Greatness Begins Here”. As it continues to grow, it provides a platform for more golfers to achieve their own greatness while asserting South Africa’s position as a vibrant and competitive golfing nation.
(Credit: sunshinetour.com)