Sanlam CANSA Golf Challenge a huge success

This year saw the 23rd edition of the the Sanlam CANSA Golf Challenge in cooperation with one of South Africa’s chief golf ambassadors, Ernie Els. Since 1993, right from its inception, Barbertonians have been taking part in this event with the purpose of creating awareness and raising funds for CANSA. Throughout the year, over 40 000 golfers play in more than 800 club competitions held countrywide in support of CANSA.

More people play golf as non-members at golf clubs than those who are members, but on Saturday with the Sanlam Cancer Challenge at Barberton Golf Club, none of that mattered. This is also one of the reasons The Sanlam Cancer Challenge has been successful – because of the involvement of the non-affiliated golfers.

Being the biggest golf competition in South Africa, the overall winners will get to participate in a memorable two-day Ernie Els Experience where they will see and learn more about Els’ business enterprises. The competition is open to any person who is reasonably proficient in golf, its rules and etiquette.

Players teed off on Saturday at 09:00 and a record 49 participants showed up for the event.
Barbertonian Paul du Plooy, who has been with Sanlam for over 25 years, directed everything from the planning to being Master of Ceremonies.

After a day on the greens, just as everyone thought they could now sit down to a refreshing drink, Du Plooy decided it was time for a general quiz about how one should self-examine for the presence of cancer. He appointed Duwies Duvenage to collect the R10 fine for each wrong answer. “Being a dominee he will make sure the money is collected,” said Du Plooy. Even though cancer is a disease not to be taken lightly, the quiz was highly entertaining and some of the answers were hilarious. Boxes of Smarties were handed out to those few who answered correctly.

During the prize-giving afterwards, Du Plooy was assisted by his daughter Natalie Lea. Great prizes were handed over to the winners and Du Plooy thanked NTT Toyota and Gallito’s for their sponsorship.
He also thanked the Barberton Golf Club, George Pearse who took care of the braai, the players who participated as well as everybody who helped to make the day such a huge success.

Pauline Moller of CANSA Mbombela invited all to their CANSA Care Centre in Nelspruit. “The Care Clinic is run by Sr Rona Labuschagne who has been working with CANSA for 30 years.”
After the formalities, everyone had a great time socialising and enjoying the delicious spread at the club house.

The first three winners in each division were as follows –
A Division:
M. Nkosi (41 points); D. Gama (39 points) and W. Swanepoel (38 points)

B Division:
P. Duvenage (37); D Shongwe (37) and P. Dreyer (36)

C Division:
E. Viljoen (38); F. Chadwick (29) and H. Bosua (27)

Winners in the ladies category were S. Winter (37); H. Geberhard (24) and P. Swart (23)

Nearest Pin 3 & 12 – R. Winter
Nearest Pin 9 & 8 – B. Mhlongo
Longest Drive – J. Hearne.