South Africa boasts a rich golfing heritage, with a history spanning over a century. Understanding the roots of golf in the country will give you a deeper appreciation for its significance and evolution. Golf arrived in South Africa sometime in 1885, even before it was played in America only two years later.
South Africa’s first golf was played at Waterloo Green in Wynberg Cape Town, under the name Cape Golf Club. As the lore goes, nine days after assuming command Torrens rounded up potential players for a meeting, established the Cape Golf Club at the Wynberg military encampment, figured out a routing, and by early 1886 the first golf course in South Africa was established. From there it moved to the Rondebosch Common. From the Rondebosch Common, the Cape Golf Club moved to its current home adjacent to the Wynberg Military facility and has since been called Royal Cape Golf Club, the oldest golf club in South Africa.
In 1892, the first National Golf Championship was held in Kimberly in the Northern Cape, and the first South African Open Championship in Port Elizabeth in 1903, after many exhibition tournaments of same was played over the preceding 10 years. The SA Open as it is known today, is thus one of the oldest Open Championship tournaments in the world. The first formal event was organised in 1903, following a series of exhibition matches that had been held over the preceding ten years.
Early 20th Century: Establishing the Game
In 1910, the South African Golf Union (S.A.G.U.) was formed. The South African Ladies Golf Union (S.A.L.G.U.) was formed in 1914.
The first official South African Open Championship was held in 1903, making it one of the oldest national open tournaments in the world. The tournament, initially dominated by British and Scottish golfers, quickly became a proving ground for local talent.
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During this period of segregation, the only time non-whites or non-Europeans, as they were referred to back then, were on the golf course, was to caddy (carry the bags of the European golfers). Today, still, we have caddies employed at golf courses who are painful reminders of how far we have to go to offer them a dignified presence and livelihood within the industry.
Sometime during 1948, the South African Non-European Golf Union was established to progress the inclusion and development of black golfers in South Africa. Now in the Cape at this time, non-white golfers were mostly caddies and never had their own golf courses. They created makeshift courses on vacant lots of sandy, rough land.
The Rise of South African Golfing Legends
The 20th century saw the rise of exceptional South African golfers who would bring the country worldwide recognition. One of the most significant figures was Bobby Locke, who won four Open Championships between 1949 and 1957.
Locke won the British Open four times between 1949 and 1957. His victory total is put at 72 worldwide with 11 of those coming on the PGA Tour. In the winter of 1947 Sam Snead went to South Africa to play a series of exhibition matches with Locke, and was so impressed that he persuaded Locke to come to America and try the PGA Tour, much to the chagrin of Snead's fellow American professionals. Locke won six tournaments on the PGA Tour in 1947 and finished second to Jimmy Demaret on the money list. In 1948 he won the Chicago Victory National tournament by 16 shots.
Arguably the most famous golfer to emerge from South Africa, Gary Player Country Club became a global icon. Winning nine major championships, including three Masters titles, Player’s achievements elevated South Africa’s reputation in the golfing world. His dedication to fitness, mental toughness, and global approach to the sport made him a role model for aspiring golfers.
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Player’s influence extended beyond the fairways, as he became an ambassador for South African golf, designing world-class courses and promoting the game throughout the country.
From the time he was a teenager, Gary Player knew what he wanted to be, and, not lacking in confidence, said he would become the best player in the world. He practiced without limits, and became golf's first fitness freak. Playing in the era of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Player forced his way to the pinnacle of the game and became part of The Big Three.
By his own count he won 164 tournaments on every continent except Antarctica, and by anyone's count, nine of those were major championships.
Having done this at the beginning of the television age and in the company of the great Palmer and Nicklaus, Player's accomplishments reverberated across South Africa and launched a generation of major championship winners and highly competitive professionals.
Golf and Apartheid: A Dark Chapter
In golf's long and checkered history of racial discrimination, what took place in 1963 has been characterized as the sport's most shameful moment. In a sport that is still far from averse to shameful moments, it's a story that continues to resonate today.
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Rajen's father, Sewsunker Sewgolum, an impoverished caddie who grew up in a tin shack not far from the course, who never went to school and could neither read nor write, was finally, at the age of 34, given permission to compete in the Natal Open, a tournament that had previously refused his presence because of the color of his skin.
And playing the game with his characteristic serenity and a strange upside-down grip, the man they called "Papwa," who never had a golf lesson in his life, overcame some of the best South African professionals of the day to win the tournament.
Gary Player: I helped break apartheid in sport
What happened next became known as "the prize-giving that shook the world." Because it was raining, the logical place for the post-tournament coronation was inside the clubhouse. But in the apartheid parlance of how the government of the day itemized human beings, Papwa was a "nonwhite"; the sanctuary of the clubhouse was exclusively for whites.
The champion was therefore hurriedly handed the trophy outside. A hard rain was falling. There would be many more rains to come.
The notorious Group Areas Act, which sought to demarcate separate areas for different "races" to live and work, meant that the bigger, far-more-profitable white tournaments were out-of-bounds for Papwa. But there was ambiguity in the law: Was it really illegal for a "nonwhite" to "occupy" a white area if that area was, say, a cinema, or a golf course?
The loophole enabled Papwa to gain permission to play in a few white tournaments, starting with the 1961 South African Open, but in the contorted logic of the day he would be allowed to "occupy" only the golf course, not any of the facilities, including the clubhouse, and the permit was only for the days of the tournament -- no practice rounds were possible.
Such permits were very rarely granted, usually at the last minute, and always came with significant restrictions. Papwa was constantly watched -- and sometimes directly threatened -- by the secret police.
In 1963, for the first time Papwa's application to play in the Natal "Open" was accepted. On the last day, watched by a surging crowd of Indian supporters, he parred the final hole to win by a stroke. It was an astonishing feat.
Permission to play in a string of events was denied, and all appeals failed. The government decreed that mixed sport would not be permitted. Papwa was effectively banned.
Post-Apartheid Era: Transformation and Growth
Changes on the local golf scene were, however, in the wind. In 1971 the Government, in the face of mounting pressure to allow non-racial golf, introduced the concept of Open International Tournaments, open that is to golfers of all races provided always that they were players of an adequate standard.
Since the turn of the century, South Africa has continued to produce world-class golfers. Ernie Els, known as “The Big Easy,” became one of the most dominant players of his era, winning four major championships. His smooth swing and calm demeanour made him a fan favourite worldwide.
Following in Els’ footsteps, golfers like Retief Goosen, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, and Branden Grace have continued South Africa’s legacy of success.
South Africa’s strong domestic tour, the Sunshine Tour, has played a crucial role in nurturing young golfers.
South African Open Champions
Gary Player has been the most successful player in the tournament's history, with 13 victories over four decades between 1956 and 1981.
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1956-1981 | Gary Player |
| 1949-1957 | Bobby Locke |
| 1994, 1997, 2002 | Ernie Els |
| 2001, 2004 | Retief Goosen |
Golfing Destinations in South Africa
As you prepare to compete at Sun City, you will experience one of South Africa’s most iconic golf resorts. Located in the North West Province, Sun City is famous for its luxurious accommodations, stunning landscapes, and world-class golf courses. The Gary Player Country Club, home to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, is considered one of the finest courses in Africa.
In addition to the Gary Player Country Club, you’ll also enjoy playing the Lost City Golf Course, with its unique desert-style design and resident crocodiles on the 13th hole, offering an unforgettable golfing experience.
Beyond Sun City, South Africa is home to an array of breathtaking golf courses that make it a dream destination for golf holidays. The country’s diverse landscapes provide a unique variety of golfing experiences, from the coastal cliffs of the Garden Route to the rolling vineyards of the Cape Winelands.
The Cape Town region is particularly renowned for its stunning courses. The Royal Cape Golf Club, the oldest in South Africa, offers a historic experience with a challenging yet scenic layout. Erinvale Golf Club, set against the stunning backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, provides a world-class experience in the heart of the Winelands.
The Garden Route is another must-visit region for golf enthusiasts. Home to some of the finest courses in the world, this stretch of coastline features iconic layouts such as Pinnacle Point, which offers dramatic ocean views and cliffside fairways, and Pezula Golf Club, known for its lush fairways and spectacular scenery.
South Africa’s combination of top-tier golf, stunning scenery, and luxurious accommodations makes it an ideal getaway for golf enthusiasts. The country boasts excellent weather year-round, with mild winters and sunny summers, ensuring perfect playing conditions.
In addition to golf, visitors can enjoy world-renowned wine estates, exhilarating safaris, and vibrant city life in destinations like Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Golf in South Africa has come a long way since its introduction in the late 19th century. From colonial-era beginnings to the rise of global champions, the sport has played an integral role in the country’s sporting identity. As you step onto the fairways of Sun City, you are not only competing in a world-class event but also becoming part of a storied tradition that continues to shape the future of South African golf.
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