Greenkeepers acclaimed for ‘inspiring team effort’ to overcome heavy rains and prepare course in Durban

Greenkeeping staff at Durban Country Club have been praised for their “inspiring team effort” in overcoming inclement weather to get the course playable at the Investec South African Open Championship.

Heavy rainfall from Tuesday night led to areas of the course being submerged by water, with Wednesday’s pre-tournament Pro-Am called off, before a three-hour delay to the first round was announced.

“On behalf of the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour and all our professionals, we are extremely grateful to all the parties for their outstanding effort to enable us to start the first round today,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

“They worked through the night and against the odds, and what they achieved is nothing short of remarkable. We are truly grateful for such an inspiring team effort. Thank you.”

The Investec South African Open Championship - golf's second oldest national open - is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour and is the penultimate event in the International Swing on the 2025 Race to Dubai.

The championship, which has a new date in the schedule, is returning to a revamped Durban Country Club for the first time since 2010.

In 2023-2024, the course closed for 10 months to construct renovations and drainage enhancements including the addition of a burn that serves as a drainage channel.

Dean Burmester is the defending champion having won his fourth DP World Tour title and second in as many weeks when it was held at Blair Atholl in November-December 2023.