Johannesburg’s Fortress Invitational boosts prizes and rookie award
An increased prize purse and a doubled Fortress Rookie of the Year prize is what to look forward to at the 2025 Fortress Invitational from 16 – 19 October.
The Sunshine Tour and Fortress Real Estate Investments have announced a significant increase in the prize money for the 2025 Fortress Invitational, along with a boost to the end-of-season bonus for the Fortress Rookie of the Year award.
The 2025 Fortress Invitational will be played at Glendower Golf Club from October 16 – 19, with an increased purse of R2.5m.
This represents a total increase of R1m in prize money since the Fortress Invitational first teed off in 2022, marking the start of a valuable partnership with the Sunshine Tour.
This season’s Fortress Rookie of the Year winner will also walk away with a cheque for R400 000, double the previous season’s prize.
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“This year, the Fortress Invitational is powering growth in South African golf at every level with an increased prize purse and a doubling of the Fortress Rookie of the Year prize.
It is part of our continued support for emerging talent. It reflects our commitment to growing the game, backing today’s top competitors and paving the way for the future of South African golf on the Sunshine Tour, while investing in our brand,” said Steven Brown, CEO of Fortress Real Estate Investments.
The announcement adds significantly to a Sunshine Tour schedule now featuring over 30 tournaments and nearly R200 million in total prize money.
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It also provides global opportunities for Sunshine Tour professionals, including playing privileges on the DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour, and exemptions into Majors.
“Fortress has been a valuable partner over the past four years. We are extremely proud to announce not only the continued support of the Fortress Invitational on our schedule, but also a further endorsement of the Sunshine Tour’s international status as a tour of opportunity.
“The additional support from Fortress for our leading Fortress Rookie of the Year is an equally strong investment in the development of new talent on our fairways,” said Thomas Abt, commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
The Fortress Invitational and Fortress Rookie of the Year award continue to play a vital role in the development of the next generation of South African golf stars.
The tournament has been instrumental in the rise of Robin Williams from Sunshine Tour professional to DP World Tour golfer.
Williams won the Fortress Invitational back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, and claimed the Fortress Rookie of the Year award in the 2023/24 season.
