Bloemfontein’s Gabrielle Venter claimed her first major title in a fiercely contested finish with France’s Emie Peronnin and Scottish golfer Kylie Henry.
The 20-year-old beat out a strong field of 63 golfers from South Africa and 15 other countries who took part in the 2024 edition of the Standard Bank Ladies Open.
Since its inception, the tournament has hosted over 700 golfers, including professional and amateurs who have launched their careers at the tour.
The prize money for the event has increased from R100 000 in 2015 to R600 000 in 2024.
The City currently has a three-year agreement in place to support the Standard Bank Ladies Open until the 2025/26 financial years.
‘The Sunshine Ladies Tour has been at the forefront of elevating the status of women’s golf to a professional level and providing these athletes with a platform to compete on an international stage. In the last decade, the Tour has attracted competitors from Europe, Asia and North America who have provided a tough match up for the local golfers who are looking to step up to the next level.
‘It has been some of the incredible work behind the scenes that has solidified the City’s support for the Ladies Open over the years, including the development of young amateur golfers, upskilling of caddies and how the tournament under the Sunshine Ladies Tour have helped promote Cape Town to a global audience. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the tour into the future,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
The Sunshine Ladies Tour is a proven platform for amateur and professional golfers to perform on an international stage with an eight tournament season over three months.
Cape Town will host the season closing tournament on the tour, the Investec Women’s Open, taking place at the Erinvale Golf Course from 25 – 28 April 2024.
As part of the CSI programme, on the last day of the Women’s Open, disabled young golfers will be invited to watch and partake in putting and chipping lessons with the professional golfers.
