1991–92 Southern Africa Tour Explained

Year:1991–92
Tour:Southern Africa Tour
Regular Season:
No Of Events:10
Most Wins: Ernie Els (4)
Honor1:Order of Merit
Honoree1: Ernie Els
Prevseason:1990–91
Nextseason:1992–93

The 1991–92 Southern Africa Tour was the 21st season of the Southern Africa Tour, the main professional golf tour in South Africa since it was formed in 1971.

Season outline

A variety of golfers had success early in the season. De Wet Basson won the inaugural event of the year, the Fancourt Hall of Fame.[1] The following event, the Goodyear Classic, was won by Justin Hobday, four shots ahead of American Hugh Royer III.[2] Retief Goosen won the third event of the season, the Spoornet Classic, by a shot over John Bland and Richard Kaplan.[3]

The remainder of the year was dominated by Ernie Els. Els won the Protea Assurance South African Open and the Lexington PGA Championship in consecutive weeks. He took the lead in the Order of Merit.[4] Northern Ireland's David Feherty won the following event, the Bell's Cup, by one shot over Mark McNulty. Els retained his lead on the Order of Merit with his third place finish.[5] At the next week's event, the Trustbank Tournament of Champions, Els "made up four shots in the last nine holes" but still finished a shot behind champion Bobby Lincoln.[6] Els came back and won the next event, the EVS South African Masters.[7] At the final event of the season, the Hollard Royal Swazi Sun Classic, Els again made up much ground late, finishing eagle-birdie, turning a three-stroke deficit into a one stroke win.[8] Els won the Order of Merit by a wide margin.

Schedule

The following table lists official events during the 1991–92 season.[9]

DateTournamentLocationPurse
(R)
WinnerOWGR
points
Notes
15 Dec Cape 450,000 De Wet Basson (1) 8 New tournament
21 Dec Cape 300,000 Justin Hobday (1) 8
11 Jan Cape 300,000 Retief Goosen (1) 12 New tournament
19 Jan Transvaal 450,000 Ernie Els (1) 20
25 Jan Transvaal 400,000 Ernie Els (2) 20
1 Feb Cape 350,000 David Feherty (3) 18
8 Feb Transvaal 350,000 Bobby Lincoln (3) 14
15 Feb Transvaal 350,000 Ernie Els (3) 14
22 Feb Transvaal 300,000 Kevin Johnson (1) 18
29 Feb Swaziland 300,000 Ernie Els (4) 12

Unofficial events

The following events were sanctioned by the Southern Africa Tour, but did not carry official money, nor were wins official.

Order of Merit

The Order of Merit was based on prize money won during the season, calculated in South African rand.[10]

PositionPlayerPrize money (R)
1 324,017
2 155,425
3 147,416
4 109,124
5 108,488

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1991 Fancourt Hall of Fame . 2023-10-26 . Sunshine Tour.
  2. News: Last-hole slip proves costly for MacKenzie . The Daily Telegraph . London, United Kingdom . 23 December 1991 . 27 October 2023 . 33 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  3. News: Elkington snatches title in extra time . The Daily Telegraph . London, United Kingdom . 13 January 1992 . Alex . Lancaster . 27 October 2023 . 33 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  4. News: Calcavecchia turning on the style for new success . The Daily Telegraph . London, United Kingdom . 27 January 1992 . Alex . Lancaster . 27 October 2023 . 37 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  5. News: O'Meara again . The Daily Telegraph . London, United Kingdom . 3 February 1992 . 27 October 2023 . 35 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  6. News: Cool Yorkshire lass . The Daily Telegraph . London, United Kingdom . 10 February 1992 . 27 October 2023 . 37 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  7. News: Singh triumphs after free drop . The Daily Telegraph . Richard . James . London, United Kingdom . 17 February 1992 . 27 October 2023 . 32 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  8. News: Olazabal gets the better of Rivero . The Daily Telegraph . Lewine . Mair . London, United Kingdom . 2 March 1992 . 27 October 2023 . 34 . Newspapers.com . subscription.
  9. Web site: 1991/92 Tournament schedule . Sunshine Tour . 7 October 2023.
  10. Sydafrikatouren Penningligan . South Africa Tour Money list . sv . 145 . April 1992 . Svensk Golf . 4 . 10 October 2023.