The Nashua Masters, as it is currently known for sponsorship reasons, is one of the most prestigious 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....

 tournaments 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...

. It is currently played in November with a prize fund of 1.2 million rand

South African rand

The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"...

, and since 2001, has been held at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club in KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....

, South Africa

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...

.

The tournament has its roots in the South African Professional Match Play Championship, the running of which was taken over by the PGA of South Africa in 1957. At the same time the name was changed to the Dunlop Masters, and then three years later the format was changed to stroke play

Stroke play

Stroke play, also known as medal play, is a scoring system in the sport of golf. It involves counting the total number of strokes taken on each hole during a given round, or series of rounds...

, and the current South African Masters was born.

The first event, at Houghton Golf Club in 1960, was won by Gary Player

Gary Player

Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...

 with an aggregate score of 266, a record that stood for 44 years. Player's total was equalled in 1970 by John Fourie

John Fourie

Jonathan Adriaan Fourie is a South African professional golfer.Fourie was born in Johannesburg. He turned professional in 1970 and spent his career playing mainly on the Southern Africa Tour and the European Tour. He won ten times on the Southern Africa Tour, including one win as an amateur...

, who remains the only amateur to claim the title. Andrew McLardy

Andrew McLardy

Andrew McLardy is a South African professional golfer.McLardy was born in Triangle, Zimbabwe to Scottish parents. He had a successful amateur career, including representing South Africa twice in the Eisenhower Trophy, before turning professional in 1997...

 posted 264 at the Wild Coast resort in 2004 and Darren Fichardt

Darren Fichardt

Darren Clive Fichardt is a South African professional golfer.Fichardt was born in Pretoria and grew up in Centurion, Gauteng. He attended Sutherland High School from 1988 to 1993, where his talent for golf was nurtured...

 holds the current mark of 263 set on the par-70 course in 2009.

The South African Masters, along with the South African Open and the South African PGA Championship

South African PGA Championship

The Telkom PGA Championship, as it is currently known for sponsorship reasons, is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments on the Sunshine Tour...

 form the Triple Crown. Winning all three titles in the same season is a feat only achieved by Bobby Locke

Bobby Locke

Arthur D'Arcy "Bobby" Locke was the first internationally successful South African professional golfer. He won four Open Championships.-Early years:...

, Gary Player and Ernie Els

Ernie Els

Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Els is a South African professional golfer, who has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing...

.

Winners

Year	Season	Winner	Score
Nashua Masters
2011	2011	Shaun Norris Shaun Norris (golfer) Shaun Norris is a South African professional golfer.Norris plays on the Sunshine Tour where he has won twice. He won the inaugural Africa Open in 2008 and the Nashua Masters in 2011. He also began playing on the European Tour in 2011 after graduating from qualifying school.-Sunshine Tour...	271 (-9)
2010	2010	Warren Abery Warren Abery Warren Abery is a South African professional golfer. He currently plays on the Sunshine Tour where he has won seven times between 1998 and 2010.Abery was born in Durban, and currently resides in Umhlanga Rocks...	267 (-13)
2009	2009	Darren Fichardt Darren Fichardt Darren Clive Fichardt is a South African professional golfer.Fichardt was born in Pretoria and grew up in Centurion, Gauteng. He attended Sutherland High School from 1988 to 1993, where his talent for golf was nurtured...	263 (-17)
2008	2008	Marc Cayeux Marc Cayeux Marc Elton Cayeux is a Zimbabwean professional golfer. His father is South African, and his mother English. He was born in Lancaster, England and raised in Zimbabwe, leaving school at 14 to pursue a career in golf...	268 (-12)
2007	2007 2006–07	Jean Hugo	269 (-11)PO
2006	2005–06	Warren Abery Warren Abery Warren Abery is a South African professional golfer. He currently plays on the Sunshine Tour where he has won seven times between 1998 and 2010.Abery was born in Durban, and currently resides in Umhlanga Rocks...	265 (-15)
2005	2004–05	Richard Sterne Richard Sterne (golfer) -Life and career:Sterne was born in Pretoria. He was runner-up in the Boys' 15-17 Division at the 1999 World Junior Golf Championships and turned pro in 2001. He played on the European Challenge Tour in 2002 and graduated to membership of the main European Tour in 2003. He won his first European...	269 (-11)
2004	2003–04	Andrew McLardy Andrew McLardy Andrew McLardy is a South African professional golfer.McLardy was born in Triangle, Zimbabwe to Scottish parents. He had a successful amateur career, including representing South Africa twice in the Eisenhower Trophy, before turning professional in 1997...	264 (-16)
2002	2002–03	Hennie Otto Hennie Otto Hendrik Johannes "Hennie" Otto is a South African professional golfer.Otto was born in Boksburg. He has played golf on the European Tour since 2000 having graduated from the Challenge Tour, but has only finished within the top 100 on the Order of Merit twice, in 2003 when he finished tied for...	279 (-1)
2002	2001–02	Justin Rose Justin Rose Justin Peter Rose is a South African-born English professional golfer who plays most of his golf on the PGA Tour while keeping his membership on the European Tour...	265 (-15)
Nashua Nedtel Cellular Masters
2001	2000–01	Mark McNulty Mark McNulty Mark William McNulty is an Irish/Zimbabwean professional golfer currently playing on the Champions Tour. He was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, and cracked the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 83 weeks from 1987 to 1992.McNulty...	274 (-6)
South African Masters
2000	1999–00	No tournament
1999	1998–99	Desvonde Botes Desvonde Botes Desvonde Pierre Botes is a South African professional golfer.Botes was born in Pretoria. After winning the South African Amateur Championship in 1991 at the age of 16 years and 5 months, 20 days younger than the record set by Ernie Els, Botes turned professional at the start of 1992...	269 (-19)
1998	1997–98	No tournament
San Lameer South African Masters
1997	1996–97	Mark McNulty Mark McNulty Mark William McNulty is an Irish/Zimbabwean professional golfer currently playing on the Champions Tour. He was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, and cracked the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 83 weeks from 1987 to 1992.McNulty...	276 (-12)
1996	1995–96	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...	280 (-8)
Telekom South African Masters
1995	1994–95	Scott Dunlap	279 (-9)PO
1994	1993–94	Chris Davison	281 (-7)
EVS South African Masters
1993	1992–93	Tony Johnstone Tony Johnstone Anthony Alastair Johnstone is a Zimbabwean professional golfer.Johnstone was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia and attended Christian Brothers College. He lives in Sunningdale in England. He turned professional in 1979 and has spent his career playing mainly on the Southern African Sunshine Tour and in...	275 (-13)
1992	1991–92	Ernie Els Ernie Els Theodore Ernest "Ernie" Els is a South African professional golfer, who has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing...	275 (-13)
Twee Jonge Gezellen Masters
1990		Fulton Allem Fulton Allem Fulton Peter Allem is a South African professional golfer.Allem was born in Kroonstad, Orange Free State, South Africa, the middle child of five children and the grandson of a Lebanese trader; he had a privileged upbringing...	276 (-12)
1989		Hugh Baiocchi Hugh Baiocchi Hugh John Baiocchi is a South African professional golfer who has won more than twenty professional tournaments around the world....	281
Safmarine South African Masters
1988		John Bland John Bland John Louis Bland is a South African professional golfer who has won more than thirty professional tournaments around the world....	275
1987		David Frost David Frost (golfer) David Laurence Frost is a South African professional golfer who has more than twenty professional tournament wins to his name, spread across four continents....	273
1986		Mark McNulty Mark McNulty Mark William McNulty is an Irish/Zimbabwean professional golfer currently playing on the Champions Tour. He was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, and cracked the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 83 weeks from 1987 to 1992.McNulty...	270
1985		Mark McNulty Mark McNulty Mark William McNulty is an Irish/Zimbabwean professional golfer currently playing on the Champions Tour. He was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, and cracked the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 83 weeks from 1987 to 1992.McNulty...	278
1984		Tony Johnstone Tony Johnstone Anthony Alastair Johnstone is a Zimbabwean professional golfer.Johnstone was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia and attended Christian Brothers College. He lives in Sunningdale in England. He turned professional in 1979 and has spent his career playing mainly on the Southern African Sunshine Tour and in...	277
1983	No tournament
SAB South African Masters
1982		Mark McNulty Mark McNulty Mark William McNulty is an Irish/Zimbabwean professional golfer currently playing on the Champions Tour. He was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, and cracked the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 83 weeks from 1987 to 1992.McNulty...	275
1981		Nick Price Nick Price Nicholas Raymond Leige Price is a South African-Zimbabwean Professional golfer and an inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. In the mid-1990s, Price reached number one in the Official World Golf Rankings.-Background:...	281 (-7)
1980	No tournament
Kronenbrau South African Masters
1979		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	270
1978		Dale Hayes Dale Hayes Dale Hayes is a South African professional golfer.-Career outline:Hayes won the 15–17 Boys category at the Junior World Golf Championships in 1969. He turned professional the following year and quickly became a successful pro. He won more than a dozen events in South Africa, and was runner up on...	275
Dunlop South African Masters
1977		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	270
1976		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	268 (-12)
1975*		John Fourie John Fourie Jonathan Adriaan Fourie is a South African professional golfer.Fourie was born in Johannesburg. He turned professional in 1970 and spent his career playing mainly on the Southern Africa Tour and the European Tour. He won ten times on the Southern Africa Tour, including one win as an amateur...	199
1974		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	270
1973		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	268
1972		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	267
1971		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	269
1970		John Fourie John Fourie Jonathan Adriaan Fourie is a South African professional golfer.Fourie was born in Johannesburg. He turned professional in 1970 and spent his career playing mainly on the Southern Africa Tour and the European Tour. He won ten times on the Southern Africa Tour, including one win as an amateur...  (A)	266
1969		Bobby Cole	280
1968		Allan Henning Allan Henning Allan Henning is a former professional golfer from South Africa.Henning won 10 tournaments on the South African Sunshine Tour between 1963 and 1980. His biggest win was the South African Open when it was played twice in 1963...	278
1967		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	279
1966		Cedric Amm	276
1965		Denis Hutchinson Denis Hutchinson Denis John Hutchinson is a former professional golfer from Zimbabwe who currently lives in South Africa. He played most of his career on the Sunshine Tour finding success, winning five times there between 1959 and 1970....	281
1964		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	285
1963		Bruce Keyter	291
1962		Denis Hutchinson Denis Hutchinson Denis John Hutchinson is a former professional golfer from Zimbabwe who currently lives in South Africa. He played most of his career on the Sunshine Tour finding success, winning five times there between 1959 and 1970....	280
1961		Denis Hutchinson Denis Hutchinson Denis John Hutchinson is a former professional golfer from Zimbabwe who currently lives in South Africa. He played most of his career on the Sunshine Tour finding success, winning five times there between 1959 and 1970....	276
1960		Gary Player Gary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...	266

* - Event reduced to 54 holes in 1975

External links

• Sunshine Tour - official site