R2-million up for grabs at Glendower Golf Club
“I think for a golfer it must be such an honour to try and defend the event you won last year."
Over 120 professional golfers will tee off at Glendower Golf Club this weekend when they compete in the Fortress Invitational.
Although last year’s champion Pieter Moolman will not be able to compete, those attending will compete for a R2m purse in a new 72-hole format between October 5 and 8.
Glendower Golf Club is SA’s eighth-ranked course and a host of several prestigious amateur and professional tournaments. It was the former host to the SA Open for several years.
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The course is the new home for the invitational, which is fast entrenching itself on the Sunshine Tour schedule.
“Our partnership with the Sunshine Tour is based on our beliefs of powering growth,” said Steven Brown, CEO of Fortress Real Estate.
Thomas Abt, commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, said the organisation is pleased to see the invitational grow in such a short period.
“This year’s tournament will celebrate this growth and a tangible indication of what happens when talent meets opportunity,” said Abt.
Last year’s champion Moolman, who will be competing in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, described Glendower as a beautiful but tough course.
The Alfred Dunhill Championship will run at the same time as the Fortress Invitational.
“I’m pretty disappointed to not be able to defend my title. I think for a golfer it must be such an honour to try and defend the event you won last year,” said Moolman.
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He said being selected for the Dunhill championship was exciting.
“The Dunhill is probably the biggest event I’ve played in so far in my career. I’m really excited to go experience that and soak up the atmosphere with all the top golfers in the world.”
Moolman said that presently there is great golfing talent in South Africa, which is pushing through the ranks.
“We have some amazing courses and some extremely tough ones as well. We also, most definitely have the best climate in the world to play golf all year round,” highlighted the Benoni-based golfer.
He said the Sunshine Tour helps prepare golfers.
Having recently returned from Europe, Moolman said the golf he played overseas was different.
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“My results in Europe were a bit up and down and I feel like my game needed some work so that’s why I came home and decided to play here. In Europe, you need to know what’s going on. The courses are tight and not that short so you need to perform well whilst you’re there.”
Moolman said that while overseas courses, the players and the travelling all add to the experience.
“It opens up your eyes to how many fantastic golfers are out there.”
Luca Filippi, who is on the tour for the first time, described last year’s invitational as exceptionally well-run and top-notch.
This year Glendower Golf Course, which is an SA Open course, will be a fantastic challenge for the full field.
Although he hasn’t had good results on the course in the past Filippi looks forward to how he will fare this year.
“I am sure this time round, coming off the form that I am in, I will enjoy a solid performance,” he said.
Leading up to the invitational Filippi has been on point. He had five top 10s in his last eight starts including a championship win.
Filippi won the Bain’s Whisky Ubunye Championship in partnership with Ryan van Velzen in August.
This means that Filippi has a winners’ exemption until 2025, taking pressure off of him and allowing him to play freely.
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Fillipi said life on tour can be lonely with little time to soak up and enjoy the great times.
He said even after his big wins he would be back on the road the next day on his way to the next tournament.
“Golf is an individual sport so you need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, from travelling, flights, hotels you do it all on your own,” explained Filippi.
“I don’t think that people see that side of golf. Many just see the trophies and the money you make but there are plenty of hard yards that go into being a professional golfer.”
For the immediate future, Filippi plans to continue playing on the Sunshine Tour, especially in the co-sanctioned events to see how far he gets.
He does not intend to go to qualifying school just yet.
Having played in December gaining valuable experience and playing well Filippi made it to the final round and just missed out on victory.
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“Now that experience and effort are coming to fruition, it can be seen in my results.
“I am chuffed with how I am playing and look forward to what’s in store for the remainder of this year.”
At the tournament, a ‘Beat the Pro’ challenge will be underway.
To participate community members must get their free tickets, and register at sunshinetour.com/beat-the-pro to double their chances of taking a shot of a lifetime.
Visit https://sunshinetour.com/tickets for more information.
