Louis Albertse, the winner of the inaugural Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and WCMC, has praised the tournament as a great showcase of the depth in South African golf.
The official launch of this year’s tournament, which will be played at Royal Johannesburg’s famed East Course from 22-25 May as the first tournament of the Sunshine Tour’s new 2025/26 season, took place at Waterfall City on Monday, with several Sunshine Tour stars present.
Albertse won the inaugural tournament last year after a memorable week in which Sunshine Ladies Tour professional Casandra Alexander finished tied second.
“It was a great event. I enjoyed the golf course and the challenge, and to come out as the winner was special,” said Albertse, who took home the R1 million in first-place prize money for this event.
This year’s tournament will once again bring together the most diverse field of champions in South African golf, including amateurs and professionals in the men’s and women’s games, as well as the leading golfers within the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA).
The professionals, drawn from the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour, will again compete for a first prize of R1 million.
“The tournament is a great showcase of what South Africa is doing in golf and the depth of our game. It was great to compete with the Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals, and Casandra pushed us quite close that week. The talent in South African golf is very deep,” said Albertse.
“It’s a great way to start the season. I came into the event on the back of a good season, and then moving into the new season with a win and going overseas after that was a nice confidence boost to show me what I’m capable of.”
The 2025 field will include, upon availability, the winner of the 2024/25 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy, the 2024/25 Fortress Rookie of the Year, the leading Papwa Sewgolum Class player from the 2024/25 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy not otherwise exempt, South African winners of international tournaments held outside of the borders of South Africa from 1 January 2024 until the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and WCMC, the winner of the 2025 Sunshine Ladies Tour Order of Merit, Sunshine Ladies Tour winners from 2025, the winner of the 2024 Betway Big Easy Tour Order of Merit, the winner of the 2025 Africa Amateur, the leading amateur from the GolfRSA Order of Merit as nominated by GolfRSA, and five wild card entries.
The amateurs and professionals will compete over 72 holes of stroke play, while the SADGA golfers will compete over 36 holes of medal play.
There will be comprehensive TV coverage of the event on SuperSport Channel 213 Golf.
Willie Vos, CEO of Waterfall City Management Company, said: “We are very proud to be associated with the Sunshine Tour, which strives for excellence, as do Waterfall City Management Company and our associates. We also appreciate the innovative format of the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions. It echoes the innovation we apply to both the design and management of our city, which aligns perfectly with our mission of creating a place where people love to be.”
Michael Clampett, Asset and Property Management Executive at Attacq, said: “We are excited to welcome the Sunshine Tour back to Waterfall City. This tournament not only showcases South Africa’s exceptional golf talent but also embodies the values of inclusivity and opportunity that Attacq champions. We’re proud to partner with SADGA and the Sunshine Tour to bring this event to life and enabling all passionate golfers to participate in a prestigious televised golfing tournament.”
