Limpopo Province’s growing status as a premium golf destination will once again be showcased by the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) and the Sunshine Tour when the sixth Limpopo Championship tees off in April.

The championship at the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate is one of three major golf tournaments that the province will host on the Sunshine Tour this year, including the SDC Open and the Vodacom Origins of Golf.

Strong regional golf tournaments such as the Kudu Amateur Championship, the Big 5 Tournament, the Limpopo Youth Championship, and a strong amateur calendar add significantly to the province’s golf offering.

The province also welcomes a new tournament this year. The Limpopo Ladies PGA Pro-Am Championship is to be played at Koro Creek Golf Bushveld Estate in August.

The Limpopo Championship remains the crown jewel in the province’s golf offering and players will compete from April 4-7 with a field expected to include defending champion Ryan van Velzen, who will seek to emulate JC Ritchie’s back-to-back wins in 2019 and 2020.

Another strong field of Sunshine Tour professionals is expected to gather in the bushveld to compete for the R2 million (€98 630) prize fund.

Sports tourism central to LTA’s growth strategy

Sports tourism is central to the LTA’s growth strategy and golf continues to deliver impressive results for the province. Golf destination marketing has directly contributed to an increase in visitors, economic investment, job creation, and golf development.

This year’s Limpopo Championship will showcase this and more in a week-long lifestyle and golf programme that includes live entertainment, an after party, a business exhibition, a pro-am golf day, and hospitality area where fans and their families can experience the best of the Limpopo culture.

“The LTA is proud of its partnership with the Sunshine Tour and the staging of a top professional international tournament in the sixth Limpopo Championship. The Waterberg District is now a sought-after golf destination for South Africa and continues to excite international golf enthusiasts, and leisure and business travellers,” said Moses Ngobeni, LTA CEO.

“The district, which is the permanent home of this prestigious tournament, has a myriad of tourist destinations like the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, a RAMSAR Site with over 400 bird species; the Waterberg Biosphere; Makapans Valley World Heritage Site; Welgevonden Private Game Reserve with its approximately 66 lodges; the Waterberg Meander; the Marakele National Park and many private game reserves.

“To this end, the LTA and its partners are poised to deliver a bigger and better edition of the Limpopo Championship this year.”