the first formal event was organised in 1903, following a series of exhibition matches that had been held over the preceding ten years. the championship was initially contested over just 36 holes until 1908, when it was extended to become a 72-hole tournament. although non-whites had played in the south african open before, most notably when papwa sewgolum finished second in 1963, it was not until 1972 that black golfers were allowed to compete.