Dean Burmester (2nd from left) believes LIV Golf South Africa’s lively atmosphere and innovative events aim to attract a younger audience and transform the traditional golf experience. Picture: LIV Golf
Image: LIV Golf
As LIV Golf South Africa begins on Thursday at The Club at Steyn City, Dean Burmester says the event will bring in a different kind of sports fan to the golf course.
LIV Golf prides itself on being different from the traditional golf tour; most notably, it began with three-round events instead of four.
However, LIV was forced to make its events four rounds in order to earn world ranking points from the beginning of 2026.
Still with concerts every night and DJs on stage near the pivotal parts of the course, LIV Golf events are expected to have much rowdier, louder crowds than a PGA Tour or DP World Tour event.
“I really do thrive off a little bit of crowd energy. I do like getting the crowd behind me a little bit,” said Burmester.
“It's going to be insane. There are a few surprises. I think a couple of our sponsors have organised some amazing things that are going to get the crowd hyped and get them jacked up.
“And we know the party hole; we've obviously experienced it in Adelaide, and it's big. You can hardly hear what your caddy is saying on that tee, and hopefully, we're expecting more of the same for us here.”
Long gone are the days of the same old men playing the game, and instead, a new audience is entering the scene, explained Burmester.
But like Louis said, you know, those things are all what's going to grow the game for a younger demographic.
“And I think having a crowd that's going to be a little boisterous and a little behind you is not your traditional golf crowd. And that's how we're going to change the game and get more golf clubs into more kids' hands, I think.”