Publications
Partners
Stellenbosch - A selection of South African sporting greats will join the Sunshine Tour's professionals in honouring the career of Ernie Els when they compete in this week's Vodacom Business Origins of Golf Tour at Stellenbosch Golf Club, starting on Wednesday.
Corne Krige, Chester Williams, Naas Botha, Clive Rice and Brian McMillan have all confirmed their participation in the fifth tournament of this six-tournament series.
Musician Ard Matthews, the front man for local band Just Jinjer and an avid golfer, will also be in the field. And two of the current Springboks' biggest names are set to confirm their participation on Tuesday.
The professional challenge will be spearheaded by Jean Hugo and Jaco van Zyl, who have developed an interesting rivalry on this year's series.
Hugo won the first event at Gardener Ross, with Van Zyl taking fifth place there. Van Zyl then triumphed in the next event at Sishen Golf Club, where Hugo finished second.
Hugo added a fourth-place finish in the following tournament at Humewood Golf Club, where Van Zyl took seventh. And while Van Zyl missed the fourth event at Selborne Golf Estate, Hugo finished sixth.
Van Zyl has stepped up the pressure with a win and second place in his last two tournaments. But Hugo will be a strong favourite on the course where he grew up and honed his game.
The field also includes an in-form Adilson da Silva, who has finished no worse than third in his last three tournaments; recent champion Tyrone Ferreira; and a Western Cape stalwart such as Cameron Johnston, who will no doubt revel in the windy conditions.
Former European Tour campaigner Ian Hutchings also makes a welcome return to the Sunshine Tour as he attempts to make it through Tuesday's qualifying tournament.
This tournament may also see the series' Birdies for Kiddies campaign cross the million rand mark for the first time this year.
As one of the most significant charity golf initiatives on the Sunshine Tour, Birdies for Kiddies sees the Vodacom Foundation donate R500 for every birdie or eagle made by a professional or amateur during each tournament. To date this year the campaign has raised R868 400.
This event also marks the Sunshine Tour's first return to Stellenbosch Golf Club since the 1999 South African Open, which David Frost won.
