Financial services giant, Investec, is planning on putting on a “family festival of golf” for year two of its SA Open golf tournament sponsorship.
The second-oldest Open championship in the world will take place at Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate, just outside Johannesburg, from 30 November to 3 December.
Thriston Lawrence will defend his title and will be joined by a quality Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour co-sanctioned field, which will include former Investec SA Open champions Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Daniel van Tonder and Brandon Stone, as well as Dean Burmester, Erik van Rooyen and Charl Schwartzel.
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According to an Investec statement, there will be a greater focus on family entertainment this year, with an expanded fan village consisting of food trucks, ice cream stalls, bars, music and interactive games. The enhanced fan experience will offer premier viewing through exclusive greenside hospitality, as well as a new driving range grandstand, and several other interactive competitions.
“Investec is an organisation firmly rooted in South Africa and, as title sponsor of both South African Opens on the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour, we believe we can continue to contribute to a game so many are passionate about,” said Peta Dixon, Investec Head of Sponsorships.
The Sunshine Tour ‘Beat the Pro’ competition will also take centre stage as golf fans are given the chance to take on the professionals in a ‘closest to the pin’ competition and win a place in the final in Mauritius this December. All the Beat the Pro winners will compete against each other for the grand prize of an all-expenses paid trip to the major of their choice in 2024.
Spectators stand a daily chance of winning limited edition zebra Converse leather sneakers by walking the Investec ‘Blair Mile’ on the Blair Atholl back nine, from the 30 November to 3 December. Shaded spectator seating will be provided at the signature third hole, with an Investec Private Banking hole-in-one prize for the professionals to the value of R1 million on the Saturday and Sunday.
There will also be five mini Investec zebras hidden throughout the course each to the value of R5000, and there will be a sticker collection card that offers them a free beverage or an ice cream for the kids if they collect all nine on-course stickers.
Following the third round on Saturday afternoon, a selection of South Africa’s biggest hitters will unleash their longest drives back down the 18th fairway to the music of a live DJ and with spectators encouraged to also try their luck at winning the longest drive of the day.
Fans keeping an eye on their social media and who purchase tickets to the golf will also stand the chance to win a VIP experience, including a seat on the couch right next to the 18th green, to watch the action as well as enjoy VIP hospitality. A new grandstand on the driving range will also give fans a unique view of the professionals warming up.
Tickets for the Investec SA Open Championship can be purchased at www.sunshinetour.com.
