News

Pace and Caudal visit Girls’ Development Programme in Stellenbosch

Five time winner on the European Ladies Golf Tour and 2011 Henderson Order of Merit winner, Lee-Anne Pace – along with LET Tour winner, Anne-Lise Caudal – took time out from their training to coach the girls of Webervallei Primary Golf Development Programme.

The programme, an initiative of Stellenbosch University Girls’ Leadership Academy, in conjunction with Boland Ladies Golf, focuses on developing girls’ leadership skills through golf.

"The bottom line of the Academy is to develop young women’s leadership skills and promote a healthy and active lifestyle so that these girls can carry the skills through with them into the future. There are a number of core values that golf encourages and through the use of mentors and role models we strive to equip young girls with skills that would assist them as they launch their future careers,” says Jenny King the program manager. “We could not have asked for better role models to support the programme than Lee-Anne and Anne-Lise.”

“The talent discovered through this programme is testament to the wealth of talent undiscovered not only in this country but Africa. Programmes like this afford opportunity to young girls to discover these skills and nurture them, and perhaps one day produce a future champion, if not on the golf course, in life,” says Lee-Anne Pace.

“I have enjoyed meeting the girls and motivating them to continue with the programme. Their excitement is contagious and I hope to return again to see their progress.”

The girls were all treated to a gift pack courtesy of Puma and Cobra.

The Gary Player Invitational - 12 years of golf, fun and caring

FAIRMONT ZIMBALI RESORT - The Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola and hosted by the Black Knight will celebrate 12 years of making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in South Africa when it tees off at the prestigious Zimbali Country Club in KwaZulu-Natal from 11-13 November 2011.
 
The tournament is the final of the four-tournament international series that includes the United Kingdom, United States, and China, and which makes up one of the biggest charity series in world golf.
 
The format of each tournament partners professionals from the Regular Tour and Champions Tour with business leaders and celebrities or sports stars in a pro-am competition. But the tournaments have at their heart the act of giving back to those less fortunate, and throughout its history the Gary Player Invitational series has raised more than R250-million for its beneficiaries worldwide.
 
“Golf has shown itself to be the leader among all sports when it comes to raising funds for charity. But it has been the unwavering support of the world’s top golfers and the presence of celebrities of the stage, screen and other sports who have given freely of their time that has been central to the success of the Gary Player Invitational in South Africa,” said Marc Player, CEO Black Knight International
 
“Most of them share our dedication and commitment to create a sustainable society and our desire to give back to the less fortunate in the community. We are indeed privileged to be able to bring all these personalities together to keep this dream alive for a 12th consecutive time,” he added.  
 
The event’s status as South Africa’s premier charity golf tournament is enhanced by the longstanding support of its committed sponsors.
 
Presenting sponsor Coca-Cola, whose involvement also extends to the Gary Player Invitational in China, has been partnering with the Player Foundation on this series since 2002 to raise funds for needy children around the world.
 
Coca-Cola South Africa President Bill Egbe said, “We are pleased to support this Invitational which has as its central objective the uplifting of communities in South Africa. Helping to ensure the health of the communities where we live and where our business operates is integral to everything we do.”
 
This has been complemented by the other partners and suppliers, most of whom have supported the event since its inception in 1999 and have an even longer association with South Africa’s Grand Slam champion, including the technology leader in business software solutions, SAP, as well as Rolex, Johnnie Walker, UPS, Callaway and Audi.
 
Black Knight International Managing Director Marc Tudhope said this level of commitment from their partners and sponsors underlines the significant loyalty and support that has seen the Gary Player Invitational in South Africa grow in strength.
 
“What began as a personal project on Gary Player’s farm in South Africa, where he built a school and church for the local children, has thanks to the support of our partners and sponsors grown into a tournament that annually makes a significant impact in the lives of underprivileged children.”
 
This marks the first time that the Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola will be played in KwaZulu-Natal at the Zimbali Coastal Resort, following its move from The Links at Fancourt.
 
“We are delighted to stage this premier event and look forward to building on the phenomenal success of this tournament by providing a world-class resort that will hopefully make for a memorable week for all concerned.  We are also excited about next year’s tournament which will be played on the newly opened Championship golf course designed by Gary Player,” said Wessel Witthuhn, President Africa and Indian Ocean IFA Hotels & Resorts.

Legendary Champions line up for 12th Gary Player Invitational

The 12th Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola will feature one of the strongest Champions Tour line-ups in recent years, with two multiple Major winners and two European Ryder Cup captains in the field at the Zimbali Coastal Resort in KwaZulu-Natal from 11-13 November 2011.
 
Gary Player, the tournament host and winner of nine Majors and nine Senior Majors, heads a field featuring 1991 Masters champion and European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam, and another European Ryder Cup captain in Mark James.
 
Sally Little, twice a Major winner on the LPGA Tour, joins the field alongside former French Open champion Vincent Tshabalala, former South African PGA Championship winner Roger Wessels, European Senior Tour winners DJ Russell from England and Zimbabwe’s Tony Johnstone.
 
“I am delighted with this kind of support from the Champions Tour players, and our other senior players in the field,” said Gary Player.
 
“The senior players are such an important part of this tournament, both in the anchoring the Fourball Alliance teams and partnering the regular Tour players in the Betterball Medal competition. To have this kind of representation in our field is a significant achievement.”
 
Woosnam, a 29-time winner on the European Tour and two-time winner of the European Tour Order of Merit, ranked number one in the world for 51 weeks. He played in eight Ryder Cups for Europe and captained the European side to a record equaling 18∏ - 9∏ victory at the K Club in 2006.
 
Since the Welshman joined the senior circuit in 2008, he has won four times, most recently at the Berenberg Bank Masters in June. In his rookie year, the 53-year-old won the John Jacobs trophy as the highest ranked player on the European Senior Tour, and narrowly lost the race to Sam Torrance in 2009. He ranks fourth on the current rankings after one victory and five top-10 finishes this season.
 
British golfer James also brings a fine career to the Gary Player Invitational.
 
In a career spanning 25 years, James won 18 times on the European Tour, represented Europe in seven Ryder Cups and captained the European Ryder Cup team at Brookline in 1999. James has won three times on the Champions Tour and twice on the European Senior Tour.
 
DJ Russell, a two-time European Tour winner, left the Tour in 1996 and spent six years as a club professional in Derby. He re-joined the professional circuit in the senior ranks in 2005. After nine runner-up finishes, he finally broke through for his maiden senior title at the 2010 De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship.
 
Woosnam, James and Russell are all looking forward to a return trip to South Africa, having competed here in the Berenberg Bank Masters at the Gary Player-designed Links in January 2010.
 
“I am delighted to support the Gary Player Invitational and the charities it contributes to,” said Woosnam, who enjoyed previous success in South Africa when he won the 1987 Million Dollar Challenge. “Every time we do something to relieve the plight of those less fortunate in the world, we are reminded of just how blessed we are. I am really looking forward to what promises to be an amazing tournament.”
 
James is also looking forward to teeing it up at Zimbali.
 
“It’s really an honour for me to join Gary and the other participants in this charity event,” said James. “I’ve seen highlights of the event and read about all the money the tournament has raised for charity and I feel very privileged to contribute to such a worthy cause this year.”
 
Russell agreed. “Any time Gary Player issues you an invitation, you don’t think twice,” he said. “Woosie, Mark and myself are delighted to come to South Africa and help Gary to raise money for a very worthy cause. Nothing beats doing what you love for a great cause like this.”
 
Johnstone was on the winning side in the 2006 Betterball competition with former Masters champion Angel Cabrera. The Zimbabwean is also looking forward to his fourth appearance in the Gary Player Invitational.
 
“I just love coming back to the Gary Player Invitational. I really enjoy the camaraderie in the team competition and the fact that we pull together for a win-win result – to win the tournament and to make the most possible money for charity.”
 
The Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola has raised over R250-million for charities benefiting underprivileged children worldwide, but Player and the rest of the Champions Tour cast will aim to raise that mark substantially for three local charities when they join regular professionals, sport stars, celebrities and top-flight businessmen in South Africa’s premier charity sporting event from 11-13 November.

Proposed Changes to the Handicap Calculation

The South African handicap system is broadly based on international handicap systems, but more closely aligned with the American USGA System.

The South African Golf Association (SAGA ) and Handicaps Network Africa (HNA), have canvassed both the golfers and the clubs, to establish which aspects of the system they would like to change. As a result of that feedback, the following changes have been adopted, and will be implemented with effect from the 1st of November 2011. Further changes are proposed with the aim of aligning the South African system more closely with the USGA system. Prior to any further changes being implemented, the SAGA would like feedback from members and clubs to ensure that the majority of golfers in South Africa are in agreement with the proposed changes.

Handicap Calculation Changes to be implemented with effect from the 1st November

1. 72 Hour Late Score Entry Penalty The SAGA have decided to change the penalty for the late entry of scores, to follow the American system, whereby a late score entry penalty will be equal to the lowest differential score of the last 20, added to the standard rating. The handicap manual will therefore be amended to read as follows:
   
   “8.5 Time limit on entering scores A score should be returned within 72 hours of the completion of a round. The period of 72 hours is taken from 19:00 on the day of play to 19:00 three days later. Scores not returned during this period, will result in a penalty score (see 8.6) being entered on the player’s behalf. Such scores are not to be deleted or modified by the player’s home club, unless exceptional circumstances warrant such action.
   8.6 Penalty Scores A penalty score is the lowest differential of the player’s last 20 recorded scores added to the Standard Rating of the course played or such penalty as the club handicapper may decide, based on the circumstances around the failure of the player to enter the score. Where the score not entered was lower than the players lowest of their last 20 differentials the club handicapper should decide on an appropriate penalty score. Each time a penalty score is allocated, either by the computer system, or club handicapper, a test should be made according to Interim Revision rules.”
   
   
2. Removal of section 9.2.2 - 3 Under par handicap recalculation
   Due to discrepancies that can arise with the CR calculation and the fact that the current calculation is based on par and not the stroke rating of the tee played, section 9.2.2 of the handicap manual, whereby a players handicap is immediately recalculated if a player records a net score of 3 under par or better, will be removed. The exceptional performance calculation will however remain in place whereby if a player enters two or more exceptional scores, then the best 8 scores from the last 20 will be used to compute the players handicap.

Decisions pending feedback from the clubs and their members

1. Removing the limit on the number of shots a handicap can move out per month. The American Handicap System does not restrict the number of shots a handicap can move out per month. The current South African system restricts the amount a handicap can move out to 1 shot per month, with no limitation on a reduction. In England, Ireland, Scotland and Europe they do not use an average of scores for handicaps and so handicaps are calculated after each qualifying score has been entered and handicaps can only go down or up by a percentage after each round.
   Voting
   Clubs and members are asked to vote on whether to follow the USGA system and remove the restriction, or to leave the system as it is. Club professionals, managers and players can vote before the end of October 2011, on the newly created “Proposed Handicap Changes” voting section on the Handicaps website at www.handicaps.co.za or on a voting sheet posted on the clubs notice board.
2. Removing any restriction on the number of 2 over’s allowed to be entered for handicap purposes for handicaps 1 to 18, and limiting handicaps over 18 to a maximum score of a net 1 over par for handicap purposes i.e. they can only enter a 3 over par score if they have 2 handicap strokes on a particular hole.
   The American and European systems do not limit the number of 2 over par scores that can be entered. In England /Ireland /Scotland a maximum of a net 2 over par can be recorded (effectively 3 over for 1 to 18 handicaps and 4 over for 18 plus), in Europe stableford points are used, and under the USGA system, handicaps 1 to 9 can enter a maximum of 2 over par on any hole, handicaps 10 to 19 a maximum score of 7 on any hole, handicaps 20 to 29 a maximum of 8 on any hole, and handicaps 30 to 39 a maximum of 9.
   The current South African system restricts the entering of a 2 over par score to only those holes where a player has a stroke, and is therefore more restrictive than the other major golfing nations.
   Voting
   Club professionals, managers and players can vote before the end of October 2011, on the newly created “Proposed Handicap Changes” voting section on the Handicaps website at www.handicaps.co.za or on a voting sheet posted on the clubs notice board.