Nedbank and Sun International, founding Trustees of The Sports Trust, recently gave Gauteng and North West development golfers an opportunity of a lifetime, to visit and watch their heroes at the Nedbank Golf Challenge (NGC) on Friday, 15 November.
These development golfers, a group of 24 players between the ages of 6 and 18 with varied levels of experience, had the amazing experience of watching the Pro’s in action at the 2nd day of the Nedbank Golf challenge. The development golfers are part of the South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) and had come from Alexandra, Soweto and Ledig village as well as from the Andrew Mlangeni Academy and the Mazibuko Professional Golf Academy.
“We had such an amazing day in Sun City. We got to follow our favourite Louis Oosthuizen and this year’s winner Tommy Fleetwood on the course. They are such amazing players and I hope to play in the Nedbank Golf Challenge and in tournaments around the world just like them when I’m older.” said 13-year-old Thando Makgalemele, Andrew Mlangeni Golf Academy’s 2019 Junior MVP.
“Golf is one of our legacy sports and through Peter Mazibuko Golf Academy Project we are able to sustain the legacy through this youth golf development initiative with children and youth from our doorstep and neighbouring communities such as Ledig, Mogwase and Moruleng. We are looking forward to extend the legacy to our other communities.” said Khumo Magano, Socio Economic Development & Community Engagement Manager at Sun International.
“Sun International values Socio-Economic Development (SED) as one of the key drivers of its business culture, which significantly contributes to their Sustainability Agenda. Part of the key focus areas thereof are Education, Sports, Arts & Culture.”
On Monday 18th November, The Sports Trust Golf Challenge, which is an annual fundraising event, held the day after the Nedbank Golf Challenge gives amateur golfers the once in a lifetime opportunity to play the course the way the Pros played it on the last day of the Nedbank Golf Challenge. The funds raised are used to nurture golf and other sport development projects in under-resourced schools and communities within the area of Sun City as well as the rest of South Africa.
This year, The Sports Trust was also celebrating 25 years of “Enhancing Education through Sport” and the former Chairmen, CEOs and Trustees were invited to The Sports Trust Golf Challenge, as they have been instrumental in the vision and mission and success of The Sports Trust since 1994.
The Amateur golfers thoroughly enjoyed playing the course as it really challenged their abilities and then attended the Prize Giving Function, where Mike Brown, CEO of Nedbank together with Warren Rudolph of Sun International handed over the R 1-million-rand cheque to Jackie Mathebula, Chairman of The Sports Trust for funds raised this year. The Nedbank Card team were the overall winners of this year’s event with 90 points.
The Sports Trust raised additional funds at the prize giving from the auction of a Pro-Am three (3) ball that sold for R 150 000, bought by DarkRock. Other items auctioned were two bottles of Ernie Els wines which raised an additional R2800.
“At Nedbank, we pride ourselves in our brand essence of money experts who do good for communities and society, and sport development forms an important part of our sponsorship philosophy. In partnership with The Sports Trust and Sun International, we’re able to positively contribute towards making the dreams of many young golfers and athletes in South Africa a reality. The development golfer’s visit to the golf challenge, our recent multipurpose sports court handover in Ledig village, and The Sports Trust Challenge are an indication of our commitment to making a positive impact beyond the Nedbank Golf Challenge.” said Tobie Badenhorst, Nedbank Head of Sponsorship and Cause Marketing.