The Citizen (Gauteng)

Leopard Creek’s return welcomed

SA ICON: COURSE HAS UNDERGONE REDEVELOPM­ENT

- Michael Vlismas

Tycoon Johann Rupert oversaw the huge improvemen­ts.

The Sunshine Tour has announced that the prestigiou­s Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip will return to Leopard Creek this December following the completion of the extensive improvemen­ts to this internatio­nally acclaimed golf course.

The event will be played from December 13 to 16 and will again be co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and European Tour.

The tournament was not played here last year as Leopard Creek underwent improvemen­ts to what has regularly been voted the No 1 golf course in South Africa, and with its iconic setting bordering the Kruger National Park.

“We are delighted to be going back to Leopard Creek for the Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip, which is one of the flagship tournament­s of South African golf,” said Selwyn Nathan, Commission­er of the Sunshine Tour.

“We are extremely grateful to Johann Rupert for his long-standing support of the Sunshine Tour and the growth of SA golf as a whole at both a profession­al and developmen­t level through his establishm­ent of the South African Golf Developmen­t Board.

“I would also like to congratula­te Mr Rupert on the improvemen­ts made to Leopard Creek. I have had the privilege of playing it, and I am in no doubt that the improvemen­ts will set a new benchmark in the game in both the challenge it presents to the profession­als as well as its always impeccable conditioni­ng.”

Keith Waters, the Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour, welcomed the return of the Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip to their schedule.

“Alfred Dunhill is one of the longest standing sponsors of profession­al golf on the European Tour, and this tournament remains a highlight for our members.

“We thank Mr Rupert and Alfred Dunhill for their continued support of profession­al golf and look forward to returning to Leopard Creek for what is one of the most enjoyable weeks on our global schedule.”

 ?? Picture: Getty Images ?? PRISTINE. The iconic Leopard Creek is back on as a European Tour host after not holding the Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip last year due to extensive improvemen­ts.
Picture: Getty Images PRISTINE. The iconic Leopard Creek is back on as a European Tour host after not holding the Alfred Dunhill Championsh­ip last year due to extensive improvemen­ts.

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