The 1973–74 Southern Africa Tour was the third season of the Southern Africa Tour, the main professional golf tour in South Africa since it was formed in 1971.
Season outline Dale Hayes had much success at the beginning of the season. He won the second tournament; the Rhodesian Dunlop Masters, shooting under-par every day. At the next tournament; the Rolux Open, Hayes opened with a 64, breaking the course record. He finished with a 68 to win for the second consecutive week. He recorded a runner-up finish at the ICL Transvaal Open, one shot behind Hugh Baiocchi.
After the Christmas break, Bobby Cole found much success. In late January, he won the Vavasseur Natal Open. At the following event; the Dunlop South African Masters, Cole finished runner-up, losing in a playoff to Gary Player. A few days later began the flagship event, the South African Open held at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club. In the second round, Cole broke the course record, shooting a 65 (−7) to take the lead. In the final round, Cole broke his own course record, shooting a 64 to secure a four-shot win.
Dale Hayes found form again towards the end of the season. At the penultimate event; the Schoeman Park Open, he finished joint runner-up. At the final event, the Holiday Inns Open, Hayes opened with a course record 64. He ultimately defeated Bob Charles by two shots. It was his third win of the season. Due to his consistent play in the middle of the season, however, Cole won the Order of Merit, narrowly defeating Hayes who finished second.
Schedule The following table lists official events during the 1973–74 season.
DateTournamentLocationPurse(R)WinnerNotes 1 Dec Luyt Lager PGA Championship Transvaal 35,000 Tom Weiskopf (n/a) 9 Dec Rhodesian Dunlop Masters Rhodesia Rh$10,000 Dale Hayes (5) 15 Dec Rolux Open Transvaal 15,000 Dale Hayes (6) New tournament 22 Dec ICL Transvaal Open Transvaal 15,000 Hugh Baiocchi (3) 12 Jan NCR Western Province Open Cape 14,000 John Fourie (4) 20 Jan Vavasseur Natal Open Natal 15,000 Bobby Cole (4) 26 Jan Dunlop South African Masters Transvaal 15,000 Gary Player (5) 2 Feb South African Open Transvaal 18,000 Bobby Cole (5) 9 Feb General Motors International Classic Cape 20,000 Gary Player (6) 15 Feb Schoeman Park Open Orange Free State 10,000 Cobie Legrange (1) 23 Feb Holiday Inns Open Swaziland 10,000 Dale Hayes (7)
Order of Merit The Order of Merit was based on tournament results during the season, calculated using a points-based system.
PositionPlayerPoints1 Bobby Cole 1,6642 Dale Hayes 1,5703 John Fourie 1,4544 Hugh Baiocchi 1,3775 Allan Henning 1,320
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