INVESTEC SA OPEN PREVIEW
Stellenbosch can almost be perceived as being an “accidental” venue for the 115th Open. Even though it had hosted the championship previously, in 1999, the course on that occasion hadn’t been met with acclaim, despite it proving to be one of the more difficult tests in Open history. Finding the “right” host for the Investec SA Open has been a chal- lenge for years, increasingly so in recent times. Not only must the course be a tough examination for the mod- ern tour pro, but the club also needs to have a sizeable clubhouse and range facility. And not already be a regular DP World Tour host – like Sun City, Leopard Creek, or Houghton. It obvi- ously should be in a major centre, and the Stellenbosch-Somerset West metro area fits that bill. The Frost effect Two-time SA Open champion David Frost was the inspiration behind Stel- lenbosch being awarded their first Open in January 1999. A club member since his junior days, he encouraged the club committee to submit a bid and, in a fortuitous set of circumstances, then won the title. On that occasion the club had only six months to prepare, and the course conditioning in the height of a steamy Cape Winelands summer
INNOVATIVE RANGE Open competitors arriving at Stellenbosch Golf Club will be amazed to see possibly the largest range in DP World Tour history. The farmer who owns the land alongside the sixth hole has given permission for the club to use it during the Open. The range will stretch 400 metres and is 100 metres wide. A teeing area has been built close to the sixth green. Stellenbosch already has a good range facility, but too short for longer clubs. The practice putting green has been enlarged by 400 square metres, and the short-game practice area has been upgraded.
David Frost holes a birdie putt on his way to winning the 1999 Open.
56 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
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