Cape Town - Another bumper season awaits the leading lights of South African women's golf, and international participants from around the globe, when the Sunshine Ladies Tour tees off in 2019.
The tour launches on January 30, and the prestigious South African Women's Open will fittingly draw the curtain on the sixth season in mid-March.
The crown jewel of South African women's golf will once again carry Ladies European Tour co-sanctioned status and boast a purse of R2 million.
"When we launched the Sunshine Ladies Tour in 2014, we could not anticipate how incredibly well the circuit would be supported by players and sponsors alike," said Sunshine Tour Chief Executive Selwyn Nathan.
"Participation has increased tenfold, with more than 40 international golfers playing the full circuit last year. Prize money has quadrupled from the first season, and the knock-on effect for our rising amateurs has been fantastic, with many young golfers flourishing on the international stage over the past two years.
"The 2018 South African Women's Open, co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour, raised the profile of our national championship to global status. The Investec Property Fund Order of Merit, which was launched in 2018 with a bonus pay-out of R100 000 to the leading player at the end of the season, cultivated a well-supported and highly competitive circuit," he said.
"We are confident of hosting another memorable season in 2019, culminating in the Investec South African Women's Open in Cape Town."
The 2019 season kicks off with the Canon Sunshine Ladies Tour Open at Irene Country Club from January 30 to February 1.
The Soweto Country Club makes its first appearance on the women's professional circuit as the host venue for the Joburg Ladies Open from February 6-8. The Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am returns in its regular slot opposite the Dimension Data Pro-Am from February 15-17 in George.
The Sunshine Ladies Tour then swings through KwaZulu-Natal for the South African Women's Masters at San Lameer Country Club from February 21-23 and the SuperSport Ladies Challenge at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club from February 26-28.
The Cape Town Ladies Open at Royal Cape Golf Club from March 6-8 will precede the season-ending South African Women's Open at Westlake Golf Club from March 14-16.
2019 SUNSHINE LADIES TOUR SCHEDULE:
January 30 - February 1
Canon Sunshine Ladies Tour Open
Irene Country Club
Prize fund: R200 000
February 6 - 8
Joburg Ladies Open
Soweto Country Club
Prize fund: R500 000
February 15-17
Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am
George Golf Club and the Outeniqua Course at Fancourt
Prize fund: R500 000
Pro-Am Prize Fund: R100 000
February 21-23
South African Women’s Masters
San Lameer Country Club
Prize fund: R250 000
February 26-28
SuperSport Ladies Challenge presented by Sun International
Wild Coast Sun Country Club
Prize fund: R400 000
March 6-8
Cape Town Ladies Open
Royal Cape Golf Club
Prize fund: R200 000
March 14-16
Investec South African Women's Open, co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour
Westlake Golf Club
Prize fund: R2 million