The voice of golf was finally lost for words at the 99th South African Open Championship this week.

Renowned television commentator, Denis Hutchinson, this week celebrated the 50th anniversary of his South African Open triumph in 1959, which made him the last amateur to win the title.

And to mark this occasion, his fellow golf media honoured him with a press conference, a glass of champagne and lifetime golf membership to Pearl Valley Golf Estates.

Hutchinson, then 27, beat nine time Major winner Gary Player by a stroke at Royal Johannesburg in 1959.

A visibly emotional Hutchinson said it was all a very long time ago, but "I am lucky that I am still in the game I love."

Hutchinson, the winner of 20 professional titles, including the French Open and four South African Masters, played in 35 SA Opens in a row from 1959 and hasn´t missed a tournament since his thrilling victory, serving as a commentator since 1982.