The 2026 South African Senior Open

 

Wednesday 23rd September to Friday 25th September 2026

 

Presented by the Sunshine Legends Tour

and hosted by James Kingston

 

PLAYER INFORMATION

 

Entries closed 12:00 hours on 7th September 2026

 

1.       Venue:

 

Plettenberg Bay Country Club

 

2.       Format & Conditions of Entry

 

South African Senior Open (SASO) will be played in accordance with the rules and regulations set out by the R&A as a 54-hole Strokeplay event for Senior Professionals & qualifying Amateurs (maximum handicap (3). who are 50 years of age or older on 23rd September 2026, with18 holes being played on each of the days of 23rd, 24th & 25th September 2026.

The starting field size will be limited to 64 professionals and includes qualifying amateurs.

Should a pre-qualifier be necessary, it will be held at the Plettenberg Bay Country Club on Monday 21st September 2026, tee times and spots in the field will be advised.

There will be a cut after the second round to the leading 40 professionals and ties.

 

Pro-am Teams Competition

The Pro-Am Team’s competition will be played concurrently with the professional tournament on 23rd and 24th September 2026, details are in section 12 below.

 

Professional prize fund:
This tournament will carry a minimum prize fund of R1,000,000

 

3.        Conditions, Exemptions and Pre-Q for Entry into the Starting Draw

 

 

 

4.       Practice Day and Practice Facilities

 

The official practice day is Tuesday 22nd September 2026.

The Practice Range is available from Monday 21st  and complementary balls are provided for the players for the duration of the tournament. Operating hours to be confirmed.

 

5.       Registration

 

  • Amateur Pro-Am registration: will be available from 08:00am daily at the Golf Club registration area.

 

6.       Entry Fee, Withdrawals and Refunds.

  • Amateur Entry fee is R 4,000 per player for both days (or R2,000 per day if not playing on both days).
  • Professional entry fee is R1,250.00 and must be paid in full by close of entries at 12:00hrs on 7th September 2026. Late payments will not be accepted and players who have not sent through the proof of payment to the TD will be automatically removed from the tournament. There are no exceptions.
  • Withdrawals BEFORE 12:00 hours on 7th September 2026; is required for a full refund. After this date and time refunds will not be possible.

 

7.       Catering

 

A Grab & Go snack and soft drink will be available to all players after 9 holes during the tournament, without causing undue delay. Fruit and water will be freely available on the 1st and 10th tees throughout the event.

 

8.       Caddies, Motorised Carts, Trolleys, Range Finders

 

There may be not enough caddies/carts available at the Club during the event. Currently, carts are available for hire to players R400.00 per cart per round. Caddies will be available at R500.00 per round minimum. These costs will be for the player’s account.

 

Competitors requiring a caddie or a cart for sharing should liaise directly with the Club on 044 533 2132 in this regard to ensure a possible allocation. Carts may be used by all competitors on all days.

 

Distance measuring devices (DMD’s) are allowed without slope adjustments. Daily pin sheets will be provided as well as a local rules sheet on the tee.

 

All groups will only be allowed two carts (per 4 Ball) on the Pro-Am days. It is the players’ responsibility to organise his/her own cart booking.

 

          Players may elect to walk the course during the tournament if they so wish.

         

10.     SA Legends Tour/Tee-Time Draws

 

The Sunshine Legends Tour Players committee members are on the Event Committee.

The Tournament Director is Mr Pat Lowth who is responsible for all rulings and officiating together with the PC.

 

The draw and tee times for the first round will be made available on the Sunshine Legends Tour website www.sunshinelegendstour.com and the Club house notice board from 15:00hrs on 21st September 2026. An email/WhatsApp will also be sent advising competitors of the same and for subsequent rounds for information purposes.

 

All event disputes of any nature will be handled in consultation by the TD and PC, any decision taken will be final.

 

11.      Play Off and Completion of the Event

 

           In the event of a Pro-Am day not being completed, the TD will decide on

           further procedures and details after consultation with the Players Committee.

 

12.      Prize Giving.

 

The Prize giving for the Pro-am Teams Competition will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday 24th September 2026.

 

N.B. It is compulsory for all professionals to attend the function if playing in the Pro-Am field.

 

The leading amateur in the main event, who makes the cut, will receive the leading amateur trophy and medal.

 

13.     Pro-Am Teams Event

 

  • The Teams competition is 4 Ball alliance 2 scores to count: 100 % handicap allowed
  • All professional competitors play off a scratch handicap and their amateur partners (male or female) off their official club indexes; the course handicap and competition handicap is calculated according to the selected tee box. The players gross and Alliance scores are to be recorded for each hole.  
  • Prize Giving: Pro-Am Team prizes from 1st to 3rd place overall, and closest to the pin on all short holes, the longest drive on the 18th hole for amateurs only for both rounds.
  • Official functions:
  • 24th September: Prizegiving Dinner from 6.30pm,
  • 25th September: Professional prize giving +/- 2pm at the clubhouse.
  • All amateur players in the Pro-Am days will receive a gift bag, halfway house snack and cooldrink.
  • N.B. The club is a cashless environment.

 

The management and staff of Sunshine Legends Tour hope you all have a wonderful and enjoyable experience and thank you for your participation.