# 1987–88 Southern Africa Tour

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.
| Date | Tournament | Location | Purse (R) | Winner | OWGR points | Notes |
| 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.
| Date | Tournament | Location | Purse (R) | Winner | OWGR points | Notes |
| 6 Dec | Nedbank Million Dollar Challenge | Transvaal | US$1,000,000 | Ian Woosnam | 22 | Limited-field event |

## Order of Merit

The Order of Merit was based on prize money won during the season, calculated in South African rand.
| Position | Player | Prize money (R) |
| 1 | John Bland | 143,301 |
| 2 | Tony Johnstone | 139,132 |
| 3 | Fulton Allem | 95,273 |
| 4 | Hugh Baiocchi | 52,643 |
| 5 | David Feherty | 87,519 |