The iconic Vodacom Origins of Golf series on the Sunshine Tour will celebrate its 100th tournament at the Gary Player Country Club this week, which marks a major milestone for a series that has featured prominently in the careers of some of South Africa’s leading professionals.
Since it first teed off in 2004, the six-tournament Vodacom Origins of Golf series redefined the traditional pro-am as it became one of the most sought-after invitations in South African golf, while at the same time serving as the backbone of the Sunshine Tour’s schedule.
This week’s R1-million Vodacom Origins of Golf final, which will be played at the Gary Player Country Club from January 28 to 30 and will include a two-day pro-am starting on Wednesday, will be a true celebration of one of the longest-running series of tournaments in the history of South African professional golf.
It is on this series where major champion Louis Oosthuizen won his first Sunshine Tour title in 2004. Thomas Aiken also made his professional breakthrough on the series, as did George Coetzee and Justin Harding. And Branden Grace, Daniel van Tonder, Dean Burmester and reigning Joburg Open champion Thriston Lawrence have all won on the Vodacom Origins of Golf series.
“The Vodacom Origins of Golf has been one of the most influential series of tournaments in the history of our tour,” said Thomas Abt, commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
“It’s an incredible honour for me that my achievements in the game have been recognised on the Vodacom Origins of Golf series. I’ve spent most of my life flying the South African flag on fairways around the world, and I’ve always competed to the best of my ability as a proudly South African sportsman. It’s very satisfying to know that this is recognised on a series such as the Vodacom Origins of Golf,” Ernie Els said.
A selection of the biggest stars in South African sports have also teed it up in the pro-ams over the years, including Abe de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Francois Pienaar, Kevin Curren, Morné du Plessis, Rudolph Straueli, Nick Mallet, Pat Symcox, André Joubert, Allan Donald, Breyton Paulse and Wayne Fyvie.
