THE 2010 Africa Open tees off this week at the East London Golf Club, with international names including Darren Clarke and Richard Sterne expected on the green.

Over 2 500 spectators are expected to watch the 156 golfers, who will be competing from Thursday, 7 January until Sunday, 10 January for the prize money of one million euros (about R10,5-million).

International golfers due in East London include Nick Dougherty, James Kingston and Oskar Henningsson. The tournament is sponsored by Buffalo City Municipality, Amathole District Municipality, MTN, Basil Read Construction, Eastern Cape Tourism, Brandhouse, the Kempston Group and Premier Hotels and Resorts.

Inviting spectators and guests to the tournament, Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku said: "We want everyone in the city to feel that the Africa Open belongs to them.

"The tournament will showcase the city and its people to sports lovers throughout the world. We hope that what they see is a dynamic, multicultural community and a sophisticated destination that is ideal for events such as this."

The tournament director, Mbali Ngqula, added: "We have always felt that East London deserves a world-class professional tournament and we were determined to see that it gets one."

Speaking about 2009's competition, Northern Ireland's Clarke said: "I enjoyed playing in the Africa Open last year and had a pretty good result, so I'm really looking forward to playing in East London … It will be fun catching up with everyone again and hopefully this time, I'm on the winning side of the final putt."

According to a press release from the organisers, Clarke is no stranger to the local circuit. He captured the imagination of the Eastern Cape sporting public when he challenged South Africa's Retief Goosen over the closing holes of the 2009 Africa Open.

"In 2008, a tie for third at the South African Open and a fourth at the Joburg Open kick-started Clarke's return to form after two difficult years."

South African and five-time European Tour winner Richard Sterne is also eyeing the prize. The 28-year old has played various local tournaments in the past few years, including the South African Open and the Joburg Open.

Tickets for the golf tournament are available at the gate and entry for pensioners and children under 18 is free on all tournament days. Adults enter for free on Thursday and Friday and tickets cost R20 a day on the weekend.

"The event is the culmination of an incredible year's work and the location, time slot and prize money is certain to attract some of the most successful professional golfers of the present era," said Ngqula.