Staff WriterThe Africa Amateur Championship will return for its third edition from 4–7 February 2026, with the equally prestigious Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational also on the bill. Both tournaments will be staged on the historic East Course at Royal Johannesburg, a venue that has seen more drama than a soap opera wedding.
This isn’t just any course. The East has hosted the South African Open a whopping ten times, not to mention the Joburg Open, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, and countless national amateur titles. It even moonlighted as an International Final Qualifying stop for The Open – a serious pedigree that guarantees players won’t be taking a Sunday stroll.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, couldn’t have put it better: “Royal Johannesburg is a prestigious venue for championship golf and its staging of the Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational signals our continuing commitment to having the most talented amateur golfers compete against each other on world-class platforms.
“The East Course will present a tough but fair challenge for Africa’s best amateur players and the winners of both events will truly have earned the honour of lifting the men’s and women’s trophies and the life-changing exemptions that are awarded to the champions.”
High Stakes, Big Rewards
For the men, the Africa Amateur Championship offers the golden ticket: a spot in The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale and an exemption into The Amateur Championship. That’s the kind of break that can catapult a golfer from carrying his own bag to sharing a practice range with Rory McIlroy.
The women’s champion won’t exactly leave empty-handed either. Victory in the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational secures entry into The Women’s Amateur Championship and Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open – a chance to tee it up alongside the very best in the world.
Rolex Keeps Time with Tradition
Backing the whole show is Rolex, whose long-standing partnership with The R&A runs deeper than a three-putt regret. Their continued support ensures these events aren’t just about producing winners, but about elevating amateur golf across Africa to the stage it deserves.
A Stage Worthy of Champions
When the first tee shot is struck in February 2026, the East Course won’t care about reputations or résumés. It will chew up the careless and reward the brave.
And for those who do conquer it, the Africa Amateur Championship and its women’s counterpart won’t just hand them a trophy – they’ll open the doors to golf’s grandest stages.
