The Spectacular Initiation of the Investec South African Women’s Open

4 mins read
women's golf south africa

The Investec South African Women’s Open has kicked off at the Erinvale Golf Club in Somerset West, with 120 golfers from 33 nations participating, including local star Cara Gorlei and five-time champion Lee Pace. The tournament is the country’s oldest professional women’s golf tournament and has played a crucial role in raising the profile of women’s golf in South Africa. The event provides a platform to celebrate the city’s heritage in golf and its commitment to nurturing the sport.

Who is participating in the Investec South African Women’s Open?

120 golfers from 33 different nations, including local starlet Cara Gorlei and seasoned contender Lee Pace, are participating in the 31st Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Golf Club in Somerset West. The tournament is the country’s oldest professional women’s golf tournament and has contributed to improving the profile of women’s golf in the nation.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Buzzing with anticipation, the Erinvale Golf Club in Somerset West sets a dynamic stage for the 31st Investec South African Women’s Open. This distinguished event has just launched at this beautiful venue enveloped by the scenic vistas of Cape Town. Over the next four days, a bevy of talented golfers from 33 different nations will be showcasing their skills in this challenging arena.

The Prodigious Participation of Local Talent

Cape Town beams with pride as Cara Gorlei, the town’s very own golf starlet, is amongst the 120 golfing connoisseurs participating in the event. Hailing from Milnerton, Gorlei recently tasted success at the Sunshine Ladies Tour tournament, marking her maiden win. The accomplishment at the Jabra Ladies Classic, which took place just two weeks prior in Johannesburg, still resonates in the minds of her followers. Furthermore, her admirable third-place finish at the ABSA Ladies Invitational earlier this month is clear evidence of her escalating proficiency.

Gorlei has a successful four-year long professional career, highlighted by 11 top-10 finishes. She has also reserved her space in the prestigious Ladies European Tour. Her triumphs echo the rising competence of local talent, and her involvement in the tournament will undoubtedly ignite the dreams of many budding golfers.

Seasoned Contenders in the Spotlight

In the race for the esteemed title of the Investec South African Women’s Open, another renowned player is Lee Pace from Paarl. Pace is hardly a stranger to the tournament, having secured the championship five times already. Her remarkable career, extending over a robust 14 years, includes 23 titles across the LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour, and the Sunshine Ladies Tour. Her participation this year signifies her seventh continuous appearance in Cape Town, which has consistently hosted this tournament for the past seven years.

The Legacy of Investec South African Women’s Open

The Investec South African Women’s Open, steeped in rich history and prestige, is the country’s oldest professional women’s golf tournament. The city’s dedication to promoting and fostering women’s golf has recently received a boost with the Council’s decision to extend its sponsorship for the tournament by an additional three years.

The collaboration between the City and the Women’s Professional Golf Association for the Investec SA Women’s Open has significantly contributed to improving the profile of women’s golf in the nation. It has also created invaluable opportunities for promising local golfers to observe and learn from the best in the business. A perfect illustration of this is Cara Gorlei’s progression from an amateur to a professional golfer, a journey significantly influenced by events like the SA Women’s Open.

Alderman JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, conveyed the city’s eagerness to host the players and expressed hopes to continue to provide opportunities for local players like Gorlei through the event.

The Magic of Women’s Golf and the Glory of Cape Town

As the splendor of the Investec South African Women’s Open unfolds over the next few days, it’s not just a platform to celebrate the proficiency of women’s golf. It’s also a chance to admire Cape Town, a city enriched with a vibrant golfing heritage and a deep-seated commitment to nurturing the sport.

For those keen on following this tournament and other events in Cape Town, check out www.eventsincapetown.com. This online portal provides a wealth of information on the various events scheduled in this lively city.

1. Who is participating in the Investec South African Women’s Open?

120 golfers from 33 different nations, including local starlet Cara Gorlei and seasoned contender Lee Pace, are participating in the 31st Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Golf Club in Somerset West.

2. What role has the Investec South African Women’s Open played in raising the profile of women’s golf in South Africa?

The tournament has played a crucial role in raising the profile of women’s golf in South Africa and provides a platform to celebrate the city’s heritage in golf and its commitment to nurturing the sport.

3. Who is Cara Gorlei and what has been her success in golf?

Cara Gorlei is a local golf starlet from Milnerton who recently tasted success at the Sunshine Ladies Tour tournament, marking her maiden win. She has a successful four-year long professional career, highlighted by 11 top-10 finishes and her admirable third-place finish at the ABSA Ladies Invitational earlier this month is clear evidence of her escalating proficiency.

4. Who is Lee Pace and what is her experience in the tournament?

Lee Pace is a seasoned contender from Paarl who has secured the championship five times and has a remarkable career extending over 14 years, including 23 titles across the LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour, and the Sunshine Ladies Tour. Her participation this year signifies her seventh continuous appearance in Cape Town.

5. What is the legacy of the Investec South African Women’s Open?

The Investec South African Women’s Open is the country’s oldest professional women’s golf tournament and has significantly contributed to improving the profile of women’s golf in the nation. The city’s dedication to promoting and fostering women’s golf has recently received a boost with the Council’s decision to extend its sponsorship for the tournament by an additional three years.

6. What else can visitors expect from Cape Town?

Cape Town is a city enriched with a vibrant golfing heritage and a deep-seated commitment to nurturing the sport. The Investec South African Women’s Open is not just a platform to celebrate the proficiency of women’s golf, but also a chance to admire Cape Town. Visitors can check out www.eventsincapetown.com for a wealth of information on the various events scheduled in this lively city.

Previous Story

A Glimpse of a Sustainable Future: Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Vision

Next Story

A New Era in South African Surfing

Latest from Blog

Forging a Path to Enhanced Executive Oversight

South Africa is making big changes to keep a close eye on its top leaders! They made a new special committee in their parliament to watch the President. This committee will make sure the President and their office are doing things right and spending money wisely. They looked at how other countries do this to learn the best ways. This means more openness and trust, making sure everyone in power is held accountable to the people.

Cape Town’s Unmissable Weekend of Sporting Action

Cape Town is bursting with sports action from December 5th to 7th, 2025! You can cheer for the Proteas Women’s cricket team at Newlands against Ireland. Then, get ready for super exciting rugby sevens at DHL Stadium with the SVNS Cape Town tournament. And don’t miss Cape Town City FC playing football at Athlone Stadium. It’s a weekend full of thrills and fun for everyone!

South Africa Shines on the Global Cheese Stage

South African cheesemakers dazzled at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Switzerland! They won many shiny medals, including two top Super Gold awards for Klein River Cheese’s Babylonstoren Parmesan and Dalewood Fromage’s Boland cheese. Nellie Fischer was even named the Best Female Cheesemaker. This big win makes South Africa super proud and shows their amazing cheese is now famous all over the world!

Renewing the Mozambique-South Africa Partnership: Highlights from the 4th Bi-National Commission

Mozambique and South Africa just held their 4th big meeting, the BiNational Commission, in Maputo. Their leaders, Presidents Ramaphosa and Chapo, met to make their countries even closer friends. They talked about important things like making their economies stronger, keeping everyone safe, and helping people thrive. This meeting helps them work together on many projects, from big gas plants to fighting sickness, making life better for everyone in both countries.

Deepening South Africa-Mozambique Ties: Progress and Prospects from the Fourth Bi-National Commission

South Africa and Mozambique are like old friends, working together to make things better. They talk a lot about how to help each other, especially with money, jobs, and safety. They remember their shared past of fighting for freedom, which makes their bond super strong. Now, they’re building roads, sharing power, and helping each other stay healthy and safe. This teamwork helps both countries grow and makes the whole neighborhood stronger.