Johannesburg - Sunshine Tour commissioner Gareth Tindall, who played a major role in securing a five-year deal to hold the fifth World Golf Championship (WGC) in South Africa from 2012, has resigned and will step down at the end of June.
"Obviously, we are sorry to lose someone of the calibre of Gareth," Sunshine Tour chairperson Johann Rupert said in a statement on Sunday.
"However, we wish him well and are pleased that he has agreed to remain as a non-executive Director of the Tour.
"In his time at the Sunshine Tour, Gareth has made a major impact and has steered the Tour on a path that has seen it make enormous progress.
"Given the difficult economic times in which we find ourselves, the Tour is in a very healthy position and Gareth's contribution to this has been significant."
Sunshine Tour deputy chairman Selwyn Nathan would become the executive director, according to the Tour, and would take on the Commissioner's roles and responsibilities.
Tindall, who would now take the position as CEO of a JSE-listed company, said he expected the Tour to grow from strength to strength.
"I have enjoyed every minute of my time at the Sunshine Tour and will be watching its progress with interest and pride," Tindall said.
"I know that in Selwyn's capable hands, and with support from a highly competent team of management and staff, it will continue to thrive.
"Selwyn has worked very closely with me over the last few years and I have really appreciated his passion, guidance and unwavering support."
Tindall said the WGC event would help ensure that South Africa continued to produce some of the world's best golfers.
"We have an embarrassment of riches in our recent Major winners like Charl (Schwartzel) and Louis (Oosthuizen), and plenty of talented youngsters waiting in the wings," he said.
"I have no doubt that this trend will continue for a long time to come."