Prize-money boost for Sunshine Tour pros

The Sunshine Tour and Fortress Real Estate Investments have announced a significant increase in the prize money for the 2025 Fortress Invitational, as well as an increase in the end-of-season bonus for the Fortress Rookie of the Year award.

The 2025 Fortress Invitational will be played at Glendower Golf Club from 16-19 October for an increased purse of R2.5 million. This represents an overall increase of R1 million in prize money since the Fortress Invitational first teed off in 2022, which was the beginning of a valuable partnership with the Sunshine Tour.

This season’s Fortress Rookie of the Year winner will also walk off with a cheque for R400 000, which is double the previous season.

“This year, the Fortress Invitational is powering growth in South African golf at every level with an increased prize purse and a doubling of the Fortress Rookie of the Year prize in a continued show of our support for emerging talent. It’s all part of our commitment to growing the game, backing today’s top competitors, and paving the way for the future of South African golf on the Sunshine Tour, while investing in our brand,” said Steven Brown, CEO of Fortress Real Estate Investments.

The announcement adds significantly to a Sunshine Tour schedule that is now over 30 tournaments strong with almost R200 million in total prize money, as well as offering global opportunities for Sunshine Tour professionals to earn playing privileges on the DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour, and exemptions into Majors.

“Fortress has been a valuable partner over the past four years and we’re extremely proud to announce not only the continued support of the Fortress Invitational on our schedule, but at the same time a further endorsement of the Sunshine Tour’s international status as a tour of opportunity.

“The additional support of Fortress for our leading Fortress Rookie of the Year is an equally strong investment in the development of new talent on our fairways,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

The Fortress Invitational and Fortress Rookie of the Year award have continued to play a vital role in the development of the next generation of South African golf stars.

The tournament has played a key role in the rise of Robin Williams from Sunshine Tour professional to DP World Tour golfer. Williams won the Fortress Invitational back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 and the Fortress Rookie of the Year in the 2023/24 season.