The South African Open – the world’s second oldest Open Championship – will be sponsored by Bell’s Whisky when The European Tour International Schedule resumes at The Country Club in Durban from January 10-13.
It will be the first time the Bell’s brand has been associated with The European Tour since the company relinquished their sponsorship of the Scottish Open at Gleneagles Hotel in 1994.
The South African Open is second only in vintage to the Open Championship, and Louis Martin, Chief Executive of the Sunshine Tour which co-sanctions the event with The European Tour, said: “It is wonderful news for the South African Open that a sponsor of Bell’s prominence has chosen to back our flagship event.
“We are especially pleased to announce that reigning US Open Champion and European Number One, Retief Goosen, has confirmed that he will support the event and is looking forward to playing at the magnificent Durban Country Club.”
Announcing the sponsorship on behalf of South Africa’s top selling Scotch whisky, Dries van der Sandt, Marketing Manager of Bell’s Extra Special Old Scotch Whisky, said: “We believe the sponsorship boost for this prestigious event will assist in drawing all the big names and making it one of the most exciting events on the Tour.
“Bell’s is totally committed to golf in South Africa and for many years has supported it on both professional and amateur levels.”
Peter Morris, President of the South African Golf Association, said: “Our thanks go to Bell's for underwriting the title sponsorship.”
