Richard Kaplan
Encyclopedia
Richard Dennis Kaplan is a South Africa
n professional golf
er who currently plays on the Sunshine Tour
.
Kaplan was born in Johannesburg
and currently lives in Sandton, Johannesburg with his wife and two children. He had a decorated amateur career during the 1980s, which included winning the English Men's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Brabazon Trophy
) in 1986 and the Southern Transvaal Open Strokeplay in 1984. He also earned his Springbok colors four times.
Kaplan turned professional in 1986 and won for the first time on the Sunshine Tour in 1995. He would add three more tour wins between then an 2000. His best year end finish on the Order of Merit was 9th in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
Kaplan has also competed on the Asian Tour
where, in 1996, he won the Royal Thai Classic and finished in the top 20 on the Order of Merit.
Speaking in an interview, Kaplan said that his heroes are Jack Nicklaus
because "he's the greatest," and Tiger Woods
because "he's becoming the greatest."
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n professional golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er who currently plays on the Sunshine Tour
Sunshine Tour
The Sunshine Tour is a men's professional golf tour based in Southern Africa. For much of its history it was known either as the South African Tour or the FNB Tour, but it rebranded itself in an attempt to broaden its appeal...
.
Kaplan was born in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and currently lives in Sandton, Johannesburg with his wife and two children. He had a decorated amateur career during the 1980s, which included winning the English Men's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Brabazon Trophy
Brabazon Trophy
The English Men's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy is the national amateur stroke play golf championship in England . It has been played annually since 1947 and is organized by the English Golf Union.The format is 72 hole stroke play contested over 4 days...
) in 1986 and the Southern Transvaal Open Strokeplay in 1984. He also earned his Springbok colors four times.
Kaplan turned professional in 1986 and won for the first time on the Sunshine Tour in 1995. He would add three more tour wins between then an 2000. His best year end finish on the Order of Merit was 9th in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
Kaplan has also competed on the Asian Tour
Asian Tour
The Asian Tour is the principal men's professional golf tour in Asia except for Japan, which has its own Japan Golf Tour, which is also a full member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. The Asian Tour is administered from offices in Singapore...
where, in 1996, he won the Royal Thai Classic and finished in the top 20 on the Order of Merit.
Speaking in an interview, Kaplan said that his heroes are Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
because "he's the greatest," and Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
because "he's becoming the greatest."
Amateur highlights
- Springbok Colors 4 Times
- 1984 Southern Transvaal Open Strokeplay
- 1986 English Men's Open Amateur Stroke Play ChampionshipBrabazon TrophyThe English Men's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy is the national amateur stroke play golf championship in England . It has been played annually since 1947 and is organized by the English Golf Union.The format is 72 hole stroke play contested over 4 days...
Sunshine Tour (4)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 May 1995 | Amatola Sun Classic | Playoff |  Bobby LincolnBobby Lincoln Robert James Lincoln is a South African professional golfer who was a regular winner on the Southern African Tour from 1985 to 2000, and now plays on the European Seniors Tour.... , Sean PappasSean Pappas Sean Critton Pappas is a professional golfer from South Africa.-Early life:Pappas was born in Phalaborwa, South Africa. He is the oldest of three brothers who are also professional golfers. Deane and Brenden . Both of his brothers have played previously in South Africa, but they reside currently... |
|
| 2 | 30 Sep 1995 | FNB Pro Series: Western Cape Open | 2 strokes | Sammy Daniels, Ashley Roestoff Ashley Roestoff Ashley Trevor Roestoff is a South African professional golfer. He currently plays on the Sunshine Tour, where he has found success, winning 10 tournaments between 1992 and 2002.... |
|
| 3 | 3 Mar 1996 | Hollard Royal Swazi Sun Open | Playoff | Wayne Westner Wayne Westner Wayne Brett Westner is a South African golfer.Westner was born in Johannesburg. He turned professional in 1981 and has won several events in his home country, including two South African Opens. He spent many years on the European Tour where he won two tournaments and had a best Order of Merit... |
|
| 4 | Apr 1 2000 | FNB Botswana Open | 1 stroke | Callie Swart |
Other wins (4)
- 1989 (1) Pietersburg Classic
- 1990 (2) Pietermaritzburg, Nissan Challenge
- 1991 (1) Pietersburg Classic