The Standard Bank Pro-Am Invitational, which will tee off on October 25 and 26 at Randpark Golf Club has received a major boost, with the title sponsors Standard Bank increasing the prize money from R150 000 to R300 000 for each of the two days of this season-ending event.
The Standard Bank Pro-Am Invitational is the final Order of Merit event for the professionals and comes at the back of a seven-tournament series that was played at venues across Gauteng from March.
The series was launched early last year but could not be played due to the outbreak of the Covid-19, but with the restrictions loosened and with health protocols in place, the series finally teed off at Killarney Country Club in March.
“We are extremely excited,” said series promoter Jenny Havenga of Lifestyle Golf, “we have had a great start to this series and this season has been a success in many ways.
“Our objective is to facilitate the growth of women’s golf in the country and we have had a strong start this season. We are grateful to our sponsors for the increased prize money because it speaks to everyone’s commitment.”
The first tournament was played at Killarney Country Club and this is where Ivanna Samu began her dominance in this series, winning the inaugural tournament before backing that up with another win at Serengeti Golf Estates in May.
The next stop was Parkview Golf Club and there, it was Zethu Myeki who emerged victorious, writing her name in the history of those who won titles in the first-ever season of this groundbreaking series for women’s golf.
Up next was Houghton and for the third time this term, Samu claimed another victory to solidify her spot atop the Order of Merit standings.
The next event was held at the former home of the South African Championship, Glendower Golf Club in Ekurhuleni, and Cape Town’s Tara Griebenow took the victory. The next host venue was Eagle Canyon Country Club in Roodepoort and a resurgent Yolanda Duma sealed her maiden win under some testing weather conditions there.
And then, Silverlakes Golf Estate in Pretoria hosted the seventh tournament, and it was international star Nobuhle Dlamini who walked home with the title having played some beautiful golf on the day.
“It all comes down to the Invitational,” said Havenga, “this is the ultimate tournament because not only do we have all the winning amateur teams from the seven events we have played so far, but we also have two amateurs from our Standard Bank Golf Development Programme.
“The first day will see amateurs and pros competing at one of the finest golf courses in the country. Day two will be professionals going at it, and we thank Standard Bank for the increased prize money.”
Another boost for women’s golf at this time came in the form of the government’s announcement that the country would be moved to level one lockdown restrictions, allowing for at least 2 000 people to come to Randpark Golf Club and watch some of the finest talents in both women’s amateur and professional golf.
