Joburg Open tees off this week
Joburg Open International Golf Tournament was conceived to take the game to a wider audience.
The City of Joburg executive mayor Parks Tau would like to congratulate Darren Clarke – who’ll make his fourth appearance at the Joburg Open this year – on his appointment as the Europe Ryder Cup captain for 2016.
Clarke has enjoyed a successful participation in the Joburg open over the years, coming second in the 2011 tournament, where Charl Schwartzel clinched the trophy for the second consecutive year.
The Northern Irishman’s involvement in the Joburg Open has not been limited to his participation as a golfer, but he’s also shared his knowledge of the sport with underprivileged school children through the annual coaching clinics at the Alexandra Driving Range.
As winner of the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George’s, Clarke has played in five Ryder Cups and was a non-playing vice-captain in 2010 and 2012. He succeeds Paul McGinley, who led Europe to a five-point victory over the USA at Gleneagles last year.
Clarke has only lost once in the seven times he’s been involved in the Ryder Cup.
“We wish Clarke all the best as he leads Europe’s bid for a fourth successive Ryder Cup victory, and look forward to seeing him on the green of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club during the Joburg Open on Thursday,” said Mayor Parks Tau.
“The Joburg Open International Golf Tournament was conceived to take the game to a wider audience and is sponsored by the City of Joburg and various commercial partners.
“It is different from similar events in that it aims to further the development of golf in previously disadvantaged communities, like Alexandra, where a driving range has been developed.
“The Alexandra driving range is meant to afford youngsters from that community the platform to receive training, acquire skills and earn a living in the golfing industry, a programme Clarke has endorsed through his involvement. We are very grateful for Clarke’s contribution to the development of golf in Johannesburg.
“The driving range should not be seen as a legacy of the Joburg Open only, but as an extension of the City’s quest to develop sporting facilities around the municipality.
“We wish Clarke all the best with his captaincy of the European Ryder Cup team and we are honoured to have him participate in the ninth edition of the Joburg Open. “
The 2015 leg of the annual golf tournament tees off on Thursday February 26 until Sunday March 1.
In total, 210 golfers from Europe and South Africa will compete in the 72-hole individual stroke-play event. The field will be cut after 36 holes and the top 70 scores plus ties will qualify for the final two rounds.
The first two rounds on Thursday and Friday will take place on both the East and West courses, with all players playing one round on each. The final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday afternoon take place on the East course.
Joburg Open is an important tournament in the golf calendar for both local and international players. It provides a great opportunity for local Sunshine Tour players to earn some money and for the winner to secure playing and bragging rights for the next two years on the European Tour.
With a €1.3 million prize purse – (over R15-million) – to be split between the first 70 winners – spectators can expect to see some exciting and nail-biting golf.
Entry to the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Gold Club is R50 a day or R200 for the entire tournament. Tickets are available on TicketPro
