Over 80 amateur golfers had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, to play alongside 28 professional golfers at the Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg.
The golfers teed off at 10am but play was suspended around 3pm after a lightning siren went off alerting them to immediately clear the fairways. The siren is an indication of potential lightning strike in the area.
With the match suspended, the prize giving ceremony was turned into a lucky draw. Players had to be present to claim their prizes. First position went to professional Dylan Naidoo, who recently made history when he became the first black South African player to win the Investec SA Open title, and his team comprising Kenny Fihla, Jaco Beukes and Stephen Nale.
Second position went to Brandon Stone and his team of Thomas Abt, Selwyn Nathan and Evans Mokwatedi. Third position went to Romain Langasque, Qhubekani Mpofu, Sihle Zungu and Sihle Hadebe.
Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, expressed his excitement after a good day of golf. “A tough day out there unfortunately due to the weather but a wonderful day nonetheless.”
Abt expressed sincere gratitude to the City for its contribution and highlighted the return on investment. “I think it’s important for to note what this tournament does for the City of Johannesburg. In terms of the investment and awareness.
“During the previous Joburg Open the tournament reached 236 million social media impressions. That’s 236 million people who are aware of this tournament across the world. To the City of Johannesburg, thank you for your guidance and leadership in ensuring this tournament progress,” Abt said.
The Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance, Cllr Margaret Arnolds, echoed Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero’s sentiments from the previous night during the welcoming dinner that the tournament has a ripple effect on investments and opportunities in the City. “This is helping in building the City. As the mayor said, let us bring back the city to the City of gold.”
Cllr Arnolds thanked the sponsors for their continued support. “To the sponsors please don’t get tired and please carry on partnering with the City.”
This year, the sponsors include the Sunshine Tour, DP World Tour, Hampton by Hilton Hotel, Hyundai, PMG Provantage, Stella Artois, Glenlivet, CIB Insurance, World of Golf, MyGolfLife, Nespresso, Standard Chartered, Gauteng Provincial Government, and Norwood Mall.
The Pro-Am allows amateurs and professional golfers to play together as part of the build-up to the Joburg Open tournament that will tee off on Thursday, 6 March 2025. The Joburg Open is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour and will be played over four days and conclude on Sunday, 9 March 2025.
The event is open to spectators. Tickets are available for purchase on the Sunshine Tour website Sunshine Tour Events.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi