Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman, Tim Clark, James Kingston… these are just some of golfing’s heroes who will gather at Pearl Valley Golf Estates in Franschhoek in the Western Cape come December for the 2008 South African Airways Open.
Swinging into History
Second only to the Open Championship as the oldest national Open in golf, the South African Open – sponsored by the country’s national airline since 2003 – dates back to 1893 and has been closely linked to the careers of some of the game’s finest exponents, including a number of South African golfing greats such as Els, Goosen and the legendary Gary Player.
“Winning any national Open is always special, but winning the South African Open even more so,” says Ernie Els, who won it in 2006. “It’s the second oldest national Open in golf, and it has so much history. And it’s a very special feeling when you play in front of your home crowd.”
Evolution of the Open
The South African Open is tied very closely to the evolution of the game in South Africa. The first golf club founded in South Africa was the Cape Golf Club in 1885. As the game grew on these shores, it was decided in 1892 to host a national championship, including both amateurs and professionals, at the club.
In 1893, the professionals decided to hold their own SA Open. In 1903, with a sizeable number of professionals now in the country, it was decided that the SA Open should become a proper stroke play event and Laurie Waters was its first champion. He went on to win in 1904, 1907 and 1920.
Modern Golfing Greats
The modern era, however, has been dominated by 2 young players – Trevor Immelman and Tim Clarke. The latter has won it twice, in 2002 and 2005, while Immelman, winner in 2003 and 2004, became the first golfer since Gary Player in 1976/77 to successfully defend his title.
Perfect Player
It comes as no surprise that Gary Player, arguably the greatest So
uth African golfer of all time, has the most SA Open victories, amassing a staggering 13 titles, while both he and Bobby Locke share the record of 5 consecutive wins. Locke, meanwhile, is still the youngest open winner, recording the first of his 9 victories at the tender age of 17 in 1935.
Global Glory
Overseas players have also made their mark on this event, although only 6 have managed to lift the trophy in the modern era. Vijay Singh’s victory in 1997 was a rare triumph for a foreigner, and the Fijian added his name to a list that includes England’s Tommy Horton (1970), New Zealander Bob Charles (1973), Americans Charlie Bolling (1983) and Fred Wadsworth (1989), and Swede Mathias Grönberg (2000).
The South African Airways Open will be played for the second year running at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Pearl Valley Golf Estates in December 2008 and golf fans around the globe are already gearing up for yet another closely-fought, enthralling championship.
© Photographs are by Grant Levershal and courtesy and copyright of Maru Sport.
Links: