South African golf goes a step ahead, will host second richest golf tournament
Another record is in the making for South African golf. South Africa will now be hosting the second richest golf tournament of the world in 2013. Although it was announced that it will also get the status World Golf Championship, but that has not been granted
so far.
Tournament of Hope, organised by Sunshine tour, will be honoured with this record. The tournament boasts prize money of $8.5 million. This event will take place in South Africa for 10 years. It is also co-hosted by International Federation of PGA tours.
$8.5 million means that the tournament now boasts prize money which is greater than all the four majors. Only the Players Championship has prize money greater than this, $9.5 million.
This tournament was to be the first WGC event outside China and US. It was also planned that the tournament will have prize money of $10 million.
However, none of the proposals were finalised but it is still a major step ahead for the South African golf that has produced absolute gems of players.
The Tournament of Hope will be played on the 21st of November, next year.
''It's (Tournament of Hope) something that has been discussed by the federation for several years now,'' Votaw said.
''But in light of where it is in the schedule, it's difficult to make it a World Golf Championship. But it's something that's recognized by the federation. All the tours are putting it on their schedules'.'
There is one disadvantage of not being a PGA Tour event. Most of the top golfers will not take part in this due to the fact that the prize money earned in this will not be counted in their PGA profile.
So, at the end of the day, it could be formality only but this gives a decent chance to the South African golfers to get their career going.
Two major things are yet to be announced – the venue and the winners share. They are, however, expected to be announced soon.
Things are moving in the right direction in terms of golf for a country, which has already produced prominent names like Gary Player and Ernie Els.
Tags: