Prize Money Increase Announced For The Dunhill Championship
Prize money for the Dunhill Championship – the fourth tournament on The 2006 European Tour International Schedule - has been increased to €1 million, making the tournament at Leopard Creek Country Club, Mpumalanga, from December 8-11, 2005, one of the richest events in South Africa.
The increase in prize money – from €720,000 - represents a massive boost with the first prize of €166,660 (R1,320,000) a significant increase from the €120,576 (R881,987) pocketed by Charl Schwartzel for his victory at Leopard Creek at the beginning of the 2005 season. As a result, the event hopes to entice some of the world’s top campaigners to the wonderful course near Malelane.
As one of two tournaments co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and The European Tour – the second being the South African Airways Open at Fancourt Golf Club the following week - the event will also usher in two of the richest weeks on the local golf circuit, with the South African Airways Open also boasting a purse of €1 million.
“This is a tremendous boost for South African professional golf. I would really like to applaud the dunhill championship for this increase in its purse,” said Johan Immelman, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
“It has always been one of our most prestigious tournaments and this increase will ensure that it remains one of the flagship tournaments of our Tour. We now boast two of the richest weeks in South African golf.”
Johann Rupert, Chairman of luxury products group Richemont – of which the dunhill brand is a part – and owner of Leopard Creek, said the increase in the purse should go a long way towards ensuring that some of the game’s big stars make the trip to South Africa in December.
“The course is in excellent condition and with just over a month to go to the start of the tournament it is now being primed to provide yet another stern test for the field. We believe that with this increase in the purse more of the world’s top professionals will realise the value of a trip to South Africa in December.”
George O’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “This will be the 12th time the dunhill championship has been co-sanctioned between ourselves and the Sunshine Tour and just goes to prove the continuing strength of our relationship with South African golf.
“We thank Johann Rupert and dunhill for their sustained support of golf both on The European Tour and the Sunshine Tour and share with them the belief that the change of date and the substantial increase in prize money will prove an attractive two weeks golf in South Africa in December.”
For further information, contact:
Communications Division
The European Tour
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 840400
Fax: +44 (0) 1344 840444
Email: media@europeantour.com
The increase in prize money – from €720,000 - represents a massive boost with the first prize of €166,660 (R1,320,000) a significant increase from the €120,576 (R881,987) pocketed by Charl Schwartzel for his victory at Leopard Creek at the beginning of the 2005 season. As a result, the event hopes to entice some of the world’s top campaigners to the wonderful course near Malelane.
As one of two tournaments co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and The European Tour – the second being the South African Airways Open at Fancourt Golf Club the following week - the event will also usher in two of the richest weeks on the local golf circuit, with the South African Airways Open also boasting a purse of €1 million.
“This is a tremendous boost for South African professional golf. I would really like to applaud the dunhill championship for this increase in its purse,” said Johan Immelman, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
“It has always been one of our most prestigious tournaments and this increase will ensure that it remains one of the flagship tournaments of our Tour. We now boast two of the richest weeks in South African golf.”
Johann Rupert, Chairman of luxury products group Richemont – of which the dunhill brand is a part – and owner of Leopard Creek, said the increase in the purse should go a long way towards ensuring that some of the game’s big stars make the trip to South Africa in December.
“The course is in excellent condition and with just over a month to go to the start of the tournament it is now being primed to provide yet another stern test for the field. We believe that with this increase in the purse more of the world’s top professionals will realise the value of a trip to South Africa in December.”
George O’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “This will be the 12th time the dunhill championship has been co-sanctioned between ourselves and the Sunshine Tour and just goes to prove the continuing strength of our relationship with South African golf.
“We thank Johann Rupert and dunhill for their sustained support of golf both on The European Tour and the Sunshine Tour and share with them the belief that the change of date and the substantial increase in prize money will prove an attractive two weeks golf in South Africa in December.”
For further information, contact:
Communications Division
The European Tour
Tel: +44 (0) 1344 840400
Fax: +44 (0) 1344 840444
Email: media@europeantour.com