Blair Atholl stepped in to host the Sunshine Tour’s 2024/25 season-ending DNI Tour Championship when Steyn City withdrew after an issue with their greens. It was a low-key tournament with 46 players and minimal number of spectators, mostly estate homeowners, yet it further enhanced Blair Atholl’s reputation as one of our best tournament venues. Presentation of the course was exceptional, and the scoring average over four days was two shots lower (70.9) than at the 2023 SA Open, reflecting easier conditions at the end of summer rather than November-December. Course was more receptive thanks to rain during the event. The week ended with a nine-birdie 64 by winner Michael Hollick. (There was a remarkable 11-under 60 by Kiera Floyd — 9 birdies, 1 eagle — a week earlier in the Platinum Ladies Open which preceded the DNI.) The men played 7350m, with 7 of the 8 par 4s between 423 and 481 metres, which was 16. It yielded just 9 birdies. Surprisingly, three of the 4s (4-12-14) played under par. The uphill par-5 18th proved an exciting finisher with 16 eagles. There was also a 9 there by Freddy Schott.
