Where Good Players Become Tour Players IGT Challenge Pro Your
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Where Good Players become Tour Players IGT Challenge Pro Your The Premier Developmental Tour in South Africa 2015 will mark our 6th year as the country’s Premier Developmental Tour. Our goal, simply put, is to provide the best tournament conditions to prepare you to compete on golf’s highest levels, as countless IGT Tour members have done before. For many decades, the PGA and European Tours have been fed by a vast network of mini-tours that provide start-up professionals and aspirant amateurs with a competitive platform across the two continents. In fact, the European’s Challenge Tour and Web.com Tour in America both started life as mini-tours and today, are the primary feeders for the world’s two most prominent playing circuits. For as many years, South African players have really had only two options: while the cream from the amateur ranks received golf scholarships to American colleges and universities and graduated to mini- tours, the rest had to make the leap to the pro ranks without a bridge or safety net. But, as the Sunshine Tour has grown in stature and size over the last decade, too many talented amateurs started falling through the cracks due to their inability to cope with the “big picture” – the pressure of qualifiers, travel, expenses and the standard of competition. The numbers dictated the necessity for a second tier feeder Tour and the scene started changing with the launch of the IGT Challenge Pro Tour in August 2010. Billed as the Tour Where Good Players become Tour Players, the IGT Tour initially provided a competitive base for amateurs only to test and hone their skills and fit neatly in the gap between the amateur ranks and paid circuit. Soon, however, the IGT Tour expanded to give professionals who failed to make the grade, a second pass at success. “We are a developmental Tour that caters for both male and female amateurs and professionals and we strive to provide a competitive platform for the players to develop, to improve, to acclimatise to the pro environment and to make an educated decision about their future.” “We cater primarily to amateurs looking to turn professional, professionals who lost their cards, and those who just missed – the often forgotten ones.” Commitment IGTGolf Tour’s success is driven by our values, which shape the way we conduct our events, the business opportunity we pursue and the interaction we have with our players, sponsors, vendors and supporters. We are committed to building businesses, strengthening relationships and increasing revenue for our players. Educating our players, providing superior services and being 100% transparent are only few of the ways we achieve our goals. South African golfers are regarded as some of the best in the world. We need to develop them into mature winners. IGT will treat you like you belong and will help in any way we can to get you ready for the next level. • Now in our 6th Year. • More than R10-million has been paid out in prize money and incentives. • More than 1120 players have competed on the IGT Pro Challenge Tour since its inception in 2010. • The #1 Developmental Tour in South Africa. • Over 200 Events Played since 2010. • Multiple Winners on IGT Tour, Sunshine Tour and European Tour. • IGT is playing in Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and Cape. • IGT sign agreement with Srixon in 2015. • Partnership with 8 of the top academies in Gauteng in 2015. “The Premier Developmental Tour in South Africa” Postnet Suite 527, Private Bag X10 Elarduspark 0047 Phone: +2778 3300 440 Fax: +2786 608 4653 Skype: igtgolf Email: [email protected] Web: www.igtgolf.org Facts & Achievements (updated 9 May 2015) First played - 2010 2010 – 8 events, all in Gauteng 2011 – 26 events, all in Gauteng 2012 – 40 events, all in Gauteng 2013 – 48 events, 40 in Gauteng and 8 in Kwazulu-Natal 2014 – 61 events, 39 in Gauteng and 22 in Kwazulu-Natal 2015 – 72 events, 40 in Gauteng, 20 in Kwazulu-Natal and 12 in Cape Since 2010, the tour had players from 28 countries; Argentina, Austrian, America, Belgium, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Kenia, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Scotland, Switzerland, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Zambia and Zimbabwe Since 2010, the tour has seen winners from six countries; England, Ireland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea and USA Sunshine Q-School Since inception in 2010 IGT players getting their Sunshine Tour cards 98 players Sunshine Cards (Top 30) Year IGT 2011 – 8 (27%) 2012 – 18 (60%) 2013 – 23 (77%) 2014 – 25 (83%) 2015 - 24 (80%) The Cut (Top 60) Year IGT 2011 – 21 (35%) 2012 – 40 (67%) 2013 – 45 (75%) 2014 – 48 (80%) 2015 – 47 (78%) Since the introduction of the IGT Race to Q-School in 2011 scoring at the Sunshine Q- School saw a remarkable change in the cut line. Top 30 CUT Top 60 CUT 2015 -3 2015 0 2014 -3 2014 +3 2013 -6 2013 -1 2012 0 2012 +4 2011 +2 2011 +7 2010 +3 2010 +7 2009 +3 2009 +13 2008 0 2008 +7 2007 -1 2007 +11 2006 +10 2006 +23 2005 +6 2005 +13 5 rounds 4 rounds Top 30 average 2012 – 2015 = -3 2005 – 2011 = +3.2 Top 60 average 2012 – 2015 = +1.5 2005 – 2011 = +11 IGT Pro Tour Facts & Achievements Page 2 of 5 Prize money: Since 2010 IGT Pro Tour has paid over R10 Million Rand in Prize Money Youngest winner: Zander Lombard (AM) - 16 years, 10 months, at 2011 IGT CMR Challenge November 10 Oldest winner: Michael Scholz - 43 years, 10 months, at 2014 Race to USA Irene Country Club 7 May Most wins: Ten – Danie van Tonder (2011) Consecutive wins: Three – Danie van Tonder (two times) Multiple winners Gauteng: Danie van Tonder, (10) Ockert Strydom, (6) Coert Groenewald, (6) Hertzog Landman, (5) Zander Lombard, (5) Antonio Rosado (POR), (5) Jaco Prinsloo, (5) Toto Thimba Jnr, (4) Merrick Bremner, (4) Jacques van Tonder, (4) Tyrone Ryan, (3) Tyron Mc Comb, (3) Jacques Kruyswijk, (3) Lean Boezaart, (3) Alex Haindl, (2) Bradley Sinnett, (2) Bryandrew Roelofsz, (2) CJ du Plessis, (2) Desvonde Botes, (2) Francois Coetzee, (2) Herman Minnie, (2) Hyun Park (KOR), (2) Jacques Blaauw, (2) Jacques de Villiers, (2) JC Ritchie, (2) Johan De Beer, (2) Michael Palmer, (2) Morne Buys, (2) Pieter Kruger, (2) Rhys West, (2) Roberto Lupini, (2) Russel Franz, (2) Shaun Smith, (2) Multiple winners KZN: Ryan Birnie, (9) Kevin Rundle, (4) Drikus Van der Walt, (3) Gareth Atkinson, (2) Steven Van Heerden, (2) Multiple winners Cape: N/A Single winners Gauteng: Adrian Ford, (1) Allan Versfeld, (1) Andi Dill, (1) Anthony Michael, (1) Brendan De Lange, (1) Brett Liddle, (1) Bryan Martin (USA), (1) Bryn Flanagan, (1) Burger Heckroodt, (1) IGT Pro Tour Facts & Achievements Page 3 of 5 Callum Mowat, (1) Christiaan Bezuidenhout, (1) CJ Levey, (1) Daniel van der Vaart, (1) Darren Fichardt, (1) David Ashley, (1) Dongkwan Kim (KOR), (1) Donovan Pearse, (1) Duane Keun, (1) Eddie Taylor, (1) Gert Myburgh, (1) Gideon Pienaar, (1) Graham van der Merwe, (1) Haydn Porteous, (1) Hendrikus Stoop, (1) Jaco Mouton, (1) James du Plessis, (1) Jean Hugo, (1) John McClean, (NIRE) (1) Kyle Scott, (1) Louis De Jager, (1) Louis Taylor, (1) Matthew Spacey, (1) Michael Scholz, (1) Nathan Waghorn, (1) NJ Arnoldi, (1) Ph Mcintyre, (1) Rynardt Combrink, (1) Teaghan Gauche, (1) Toby Tree (ENG), (1) Tristen Strydom, (1) Werner Van Niekerk, (1) Wynand Dingle, (1) Allan Versfeld Single winners KZN: Bryce Bibby, (1) Calvin Steinhobel, (1) Clayton Mansfield, (1) Gavin Sole, (1) Jared Harvey, (1) Jeff Hopkins (IRE), (1) Leorin Pillay, (1) Malcolm Mitchell, (1) Mathew Main, (1) Michael Hollick, (1) Richard O'Donavan (IRE), (1) Rourke Van der Spuy, (1) Single winners Cape: Keenan Davidse, (1) Multiple winners on IGT and other PGA Tours: Allan Versfeld Danie van Tonder Darren Fichardt Desvonde Botes Jacques Blaauw Jean Hugo Louis De Jager Merrick Bremner Ph Mcintyre Lowest 18-hole score: 61 (eleven-under) – Jacques van Tonder Lowest winning score: 72Holes - 267 (21-under par) - Mark van As 54Holes - 197 (19-under par) - Michael Palmer & Michael Anthony IGT Pro Tour Facts & Achievements Page 4 of 5 Holes-in-one: Thirty Three 2015 - 3 2014 - 11 2013 - 9 2012 - 8 2011 - 2 Albatrosses: Six: Pieter Kruger Bryan Martin (USA) Albie Hanekom Gary Baynham Toto Thimba Jnr Jean Hugo Order of Merit Winners Money Winners 2011 – Danie van Tonder 2012 – Coert Groenewald 2013 – Roberto Lupini 2014 - Antonio Rosado (POR) Race to Q-School 2012 – Bradley Sinnett 2013 – Callum Mowat 2014 - Coert Groenewald Stats 2014 Gauteng Total Prize Money paid out; R 2,359,162 Total Events; 39 Average field; 80 players Average birdies per event; 572 Average Eagles per event; 23 2014 average scores Stats Leaders for 2014 Lowest Round 63; 9 Players Lowest 9; Andrew Light 29 Leaders for 2014 Most birdies per event; Callum Mowatt 24 Most consecutive birdies per event; Mike Downes 7 Stroke average; Zander Lombard 69.16 Driving Accuracy; Tristen Strydom 76.80% Greens in regulation; Werner Van Niekerk 80.97% Putting Ave by Round; Ockert Strydom 28.35 Most Birdies; Werner Van Niekerk 353 Ave Birdies per Round; Zander Lombard 5.11 Most Eagles; Werner Van Niekerk 19 Scrambling; Hyun Park 61.99% IGT Pro Tour Facts & Achievements Page 5 of 5 .