Golfing legends head for Plett
The week after next Plettenberg Bay will host some of SA’s most legendary golfers for the second annual Sunshine Senior Tour, hosted by Bitou Municipality.
Dubbed one of the country’s most prestigious senior golfing events, the tournament will take place from 2 to 5 October at the Plettenberg Bay Country Club.
While the tournament took place in April last year, organisers made a decision to move the event to October to align it with the school holidays when large numbers of families make their way to the town.
Organisers say locals and holidaymakers are in for a treat as the golfing action will be open to all spectators at no cost, allowing nostalgic golfing fans and aspirational youngsters the chance to witness first-class golf.
A field of 60 senior professional golfers will be led by defending champion Mark McNulty, who recorded a wire-to-wire victory last year.
“At last year’s SA Senior Open (as it was known last year), I was blessed with having all aspects of my game working extremely well. Winning the event was a thrill and I look forward to returning to defend my title. It will be great to see some old friends and meet some of our newer pros on tour,” McNulty said.
This year’s event will be played over 72 holes of stroke play on what has been described as “one of South Africa’s most underrated courses”, which was highly acclaimed by many of the top players at last year’s event.
The event is for professional SA golfers 50 years or older and aims to provide a competitive tournament schedule to grow senior professional golf in South Africa.
Next year the likes of Ernie Els and Retief Goosen turn 50 and are expected to be favourites during the 2019 tournament, which is also set to be held in Plettenberg Bay.
The Sunshine Senior Tour has partnered with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and will ensure the event raises funds in support of the humpback dolphin that is indigenous to the region.