The 1987–88 Southern Africa Tour was the 17th season of the Southern Africa Tour, the main professional golf tour in South Africa since it was formed in 1971.
Season outline Local golfers from Zimbabwe and South African had success at the beginning of the season. At the first event, the Minolta Copiers Match Play, Zimbabwe's Tony Johnstone defeated countryman Mark McNulty 66 to 69 in the medal match play final to claim victory. At the second tournament of the season, the Protea Assurance Classic, South Africa's Bobby Lincoln defeated compatriot Fulton Allem by one shot. The following week, Johnstone won for the second time, producing a victory at the Protea Assurance Challenge. The fourth event, Safmarine South African Masters, was won by South Africa's David Frost. South Africa's John Bland was the champion the following week at the Goodyear Classic. Allem won the fifth event of the season, the Palabora Classic. The following week, at the ICL International, defending champion Johnstone was victorious again.
A number of overseas golfers had much success during the middle of the season. At the eighth tournament of the season, the Lexington PGA Championship, Northern Irishman David Feherty won, defeating fellow Irishman Eamonn Darcy by one shot. Darcy was the "tournament favourite" at the following event, the Southern Suns South African Open. He was in good position entering the final round, in third place, but was late to his tee time and was disqualified. Darcy's "absence took the pressure off" for South Africa's Wayne Westner, the overnight leader. With a final round 71, Westner won by two strokes over England's Ian Mosey. South African Jeff Hawkes won the next event, the Bloemfontein Classic, defeating American Jay Townsend by one shot. The following week was the Danglo Tournament Players Championship. The event was won by Englishman Mark James. It was first win in South Africa. Late in the season, at the Helix Swazi Sun Classic, Americans Don Levin and Alan Pate were tied at the end of regulation. Levin defeated Pate at the first playoff hole.
The Order of Merit race ultimately came down to Tony Johnstone and John Bland at the final event of the season, the Trustbank Tournament of Champions. Johnstone held a slight lead on the Order of Merit. Bland needed a top two finish at the event to defeat him. Bland opened with a 67 to take the joint lead. Johnstone also played well and was only one back. Bland followed with a 66 to take the solo lead by two over Mark McNulty with Johnstone now in joint third, three back. In the third round, Bland shot a 67 to extend his lead while Johnstone shot a 73 to fall out of contention. Bland shot a final round 68 to secure the win. Johnstone finished in solo fourth place at the event. Bland's win secured the Order of Merit title.
Schedule The following table lists official events during the 1987–88 season.
DateTournamentLocationPurse(R)WinnerOWGRpointsNotes 14 Nov Minolta Copiers Match Play Transvaal 175,000 Tony Johnstone (6) 12 New tournament 21 Nov Protea Assurance Classic Transvaal 250,000 Bobby Lincoln (1) 12 New tournament 27 Nov Protea Assurance Challenge Cape 150,000 Tony Johnstone (7) 12 12 Dec Safmarine South African Masters Cape 175,000 David Frost (3) 10 20 Dec Goodyear Classic Transvaal 150,000 John Bland (10) 10 9 Jan Palabora Classic Transvaal 200,000 Fulton Allem (5) 8 16 Jan ICL International Transvaal 200,000 Tony Johnstone (8) 8 23 Jan Lexington PGA Championship Transvaal 200,000 David Feherty (2) 8 31 Jan Southern Suns South African Open Natal 150,000 Wayne Westner (2) 16 13 Feb Bloemfontein Classic Orange Free State 200,000 Jeff Hawkes (1) 10 New tournament 20 Feb Danglo Tournament Players Championship Transvaal 250,000 Mark James (n/a) 10 New tournament 27 Feb AECI Charity Classic Transvaal 150,000 Bobby Lincoln (2) 10 6 Mar Helix Swazi Sun Classic Swaziland 150,000 Don Levin (1) 8 12 Mar Trustbank Tournament of Champions Transvaal 200,000 John Bland (11) 8 Tour Championship
Unofficial events The following events were sanctioned by the Southern Africa Tour, but did not carry official money, nor were wins official.
DateTournamentLocationPurse(R)WinnerOWGRpointsNotes6 DecNedbank Million Dollar ChallengeTransvaalUS$1,000,000 Ian Woosnam22Limited-field event
Order of Merit The Order of Merit was based on prize money won during the season, calculated in South African rand.
PositionPlayerPrize money (R)1 John Bland 143,3012 Tony Johnstone 139,1323 Fulton Allem 95,2734 Hugh Baiocchi 52,6435 David Feherty 87,519
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