Sunshine Tour pays tribute to Brian Henning

Brian Henning, the founder and first Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, passed away this month at the age of 85.

Henning was described in a statement by the Sunshine Tour as “a man who stood as the cornerstone upon which the Sunshine Tour was built and a pioneer of the success it now enjoys”.

Henning worked tirelessly to grow the Sunshine Tour, and to this end convinced some of the world’s leading professional golfers to compete in South Africa in the early days of the Tour, including Tom Weiskopf, Lee Trevino, Hale Irwin, Lanny Wadkins and Lee Elder.

Brian was himself a competent professional golfer and hailed from the famous family of Henning brothers including Harold, Allan and Graham, who all played the game professionally.

But it was in the administration of professional touring golf that Brian found his true calling and passion.

Having established the Sunshine Tour, Brian emigrated to the United States and worked with Deane Beman in founding the extremely successful senior tour there, now called the PGA Tour Champions.

According to the Sunshine Tour, “Brian’s contribution to the Sunshine Tour has been invaluable, and his contribution to professional golf is another proud moment in the history of the South African game.”