Lowveld golfers tee off for Sanlam cancer finals

The Sanlam Cancer Challenge comes to an end next week, when the finals of the annual amateur golfing challenge takes place at Sun City. It starts on Sunday.

Sanlam and CANSA have partnered in hosting South Africa’s largest charity golf tournament since 1993. The purpose is to raise funds for prevention programmes and patient-care services while creating awareness about cancer.

Around the country more than 35 863 golfers participated in almost 800 club tournaments.

Participation in the Lowveld was no exception. From May to July, golfers in the Lowveld played in club competitions, while those from further afield played tourist and enjoyed some golf in that area.

Participating clubs were Skukuza, White River Country Club, Kambuku in Komatipoort, Chrome Tubatse in Steelpoort, Lydenburg, Nelspruit, Malelane, Barberton, Sabie River Bungalow, Kruger Park Lodge, Sabie Country Club, Pilgrim’s Rest and Sages Lowveld.

CANSA staff members were always on hand with sunscreen.

A record R122 139 was raised in the region this year. Last year the tournament raised a record R3,3 million nationwide.

On behalf of CANSA Lowveld, community mobiliser Henriëtte Sieckers thanked every player, donor and sponsor who made a contribution, as well as the gold clubs and their managers who supported the project.

“The Sanlam representatives also did excellent work to make the season a huge success, attending and promoting games and getting involved with the organisation thereof with devotion.”

The winners of the regional finals is now set to reach its climax on two of the most iconic courses in the country: the Gary Player Country Club and the Lost City Golf Course.

The Lowveld players are:

Men

Division A – Michael Nkosi

Division B – Pieter Burger

Division C – Nicolas Greken

Women

Division A – Loks Meyer

Division B – Olga Van Zyl

Division C – Tokkir Retneke

In the finals more that 100 golfers will tee off for the honours in the men’s and women’s A, B and C divisions.

They will do so over 36 holes played on both golf courses on Monday and Tuesday, where they will be joined by a host of celebrities including former Proteas cricketer Herschelle Gibbs, presenter Ryan O’Connor and musicians Lloyd Cele and Shaun Jacobs.

• Read more about the golf round in aid of Cansa played in the pristine surroundings of Kruger Park Lodge earlier this year.