Dean Burmester and Branden Grace are both back on the Sunshine Tour this week, and back on a Vodacom Origins of Golf series that was an early catalyst for the successful international careers they’ve enjoyed.
The Sunshine Tour stars are part of a strong field that will tee off Thursday’s first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final at Oubaai Golf Estate, wrapping up another season of the longest-running pro-am series on the Tour.
A first look at our venue this week. 🚁😍
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) November 13, 2024
📍Oubaai Golf Club.#VOGFinal #GreatnessBeginsHere #SunshineTour pic.twitter.com/Sa5nBTqRxu
It’s a significant moment for both Burmester and Grace as they return to a series on which they both won early in their careers.
“For as long as I’ve been a professional, the Vodacom Origins of Golf series has been a very loyal supporter of our Sunshine Tour. I came through this series and was able to progress from there, and without the opportunities that this series presents none of the younger pros would be able to grow their careers from here as well. It’s a very special relationship, and I’m very happy to back here playing on it,” said Burmester, who won on this series in 2015 before going on to become a multiple DP World Tour champion.
“I’d love to win another one, and that’s why I’m here. I know this golf course and it’s in great condition, so it was an easy decision.”
Grace has equally fond memories of this series with his victory in the Final in 2012, and which led to a career that saw him become a nine-time winner on the DP World Tour and two-time champion on the PGA Tour.
“The Vodacom Origins of Golf is such a big part of South African golf. It played a major part in my career early on, with that win opening a few doors for me. It just gave me that momentum to take the next step up in my career,” he said.
This week’s field also includes Brandon Pieters, who was only the second player in history to win three times in one season on the series in 2009.
Jean Hugo tees off as the winner of the most Vodacom Origins of Golf titles in the series’ history, having claimed his 12th title this year. And Yurav Premlall is looking for his second victory on the series this year.
The field also includes four Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals as part of the series’ drive this year for equal opportunity in the game.
They will compete in the same tournament for the same prize money as the Sunshine Tour professionals.
Next up 🔜 #VOGFinal
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) November 13, 2024
📆 14th - 17th November 2024
📍 Oubaai Golf Club
🤝 @SLadiesTour
#GreatnessBeginsHere#SunshineTour pic.twitter.com/tjGXR0HJGJ