The global golf impact of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open has already been felt in the list of Majors winners, former world No 1s, Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup stars who have featured in this tournament. And now a new accolade can be added, with a Major-winning caddie joining the list.
Ryan Fox, the reigning Open champion, and his caddie Dean Smith featured in the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open together at the beginning of their now highly successful partnership which has seen Fox rise to 24th in the world.
Added to this, Smith is also a resident in Mauritius, having fallen in love with the island of which he is now its most famous caddie.
“The 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open was actually right at the beginning of my and Ryan’s relationship. It was Ryan’s first trip there, and it was also part of the reason why my wife and I fell in love with Mauritius. Then we moved to Mauritius in 2023. That was the year Louis Oosthuizen won and I was there to witness that, which was special,” says Smith.
SHOWCASING MAURITIUS TO THE WORLD
His passion for golf and his history with the island has also given him a keen insight into the growth of the game there.
“Golf in Mauritius is going from strength to strength. It’s big. The junior golf is growing and when I’m there and I play golf with my friends, you see the practice range filled with junior golfers. The weather is fantastic in Mauritius, which helps the golf. Then you are spoilt for great golf courses there. You have a great mix of friendly resort-style golf courses all the way up to championship courses.”
And Smith admits that the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open itself, a DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned tournament which this year celebrates its 10th edition, has played a major role in this growth.
“Louis Oosthuizen has won the tournament. He’s a Major champion. Jayden Schaper has won there and is going from strength to strength, and he will be on the PGA TOUR next year. You get a fantastic quality of players from around the world competing in the event.”
Air Mauritius has been a valuable partner in this growth as the official airline partner of this tournament.
“Over the past decade, Air Mauritius has played a pivotal role in establishing Mauritius as a world-class golf destination. Through strategic tournament sponsorships and tailored passenger benefits, the national carrier continues to bridge international golf tourism with the island’s luxury hospitality sector as the Official Airline Partner of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open,” said Rana Ramdaursingh, Acting Head of Sales and Marketing – Air Mauritius.
“This partnership is about much more than golf – it is about showcasing Mauritius to the world. As the national airline, we serve as ambassadors for our country. Every route we operate, every passenger we carry, and every international event we support contributes to strengthening Mauritius’ visibility as a destination of choice.”
This year’s US$ 1.5 million AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open will be played at Mont Choisy Le Golf from 10-13 December with a world-class field already including defending champion Schaper, rising South African star Casey Jarvis – who finished in the top 10 at The Open at Royal Birkdale this year – former champion Antoine Rozner and multiple DP World Tour champion Dean Burmester.