Major money boost for city
The Tshwane Open golf tournament, to be hosted by the Pretoria Country Club in Waterkloof for the first time this year, is not just a money spinner for Pretoria, but also puts the capital city on the world map.
Waterkloof and its iconic Pretoria Country Club will be firmly placed on the international map later this year when the television broadcast of the money-spinning Tshwane Open will reach more than 217 million golf enthusiasts around the world.
The overall benefit of the Tshwane Open golf tournament to Pretoria is probably immeasurable, but the estimated economic impact of the event on not only the city but the entire country, was just short of R100 million last year.
Guest houses and hospitality establishments in Waterkloof and surrounds can get ready for a major influx of cash since the 1,5 million Euro Tshwane Open has been moved from Centurion to the Pretoria Country Club this year – a move that is expected to have an even greater impact on the capital.
The Tshwane Open golf tournament will be held for the third time this year and forms part of the 2015 Sunshine Tour.
According to an independent economic study conducted on the 2014 tournament by leading assurance, tax and financial advisory firm Grant Thornton, the total direct, indirect and induced economic impact has been estimated at between R54,4m and R98,4m.
The total direct spend in Tshwane amounted to R38,4m and to R44,5m in the rest of the country. The approximate contribution to government coffers via tax amounted to R4,45m in Tshwane and R9,2m for the total in South Africa.
Lives had also been changed by the event as the annual total number of temporary jobs created and permanent jobs sustained are 134 and 202 respectively.
“Our initial aim in introducing this sporting and tourism product was to position the city as a preferred destination,” said Tshwane executive mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa. Two years ago, when Ramokgopa announced the tournament for the first time, strong criticism of the price tag was raised from various sectors.
“In the past two years we have built significant awareness about the event and now it is time to maximise this awareness with even greater exposure of a tournament that will be played in the heart of the city.”
The 105-year-old country club was announced as the new home of the Tshwane Open last week and takes over from The Els Club at Copperleaf in Centurion as host to the international event.
“By moving the tournament to Pretoria Country Club we are continuing to showcase our high-value leisure and sporting facilities as well as fully leveraging the over 430 accommodation establishments we have in the city, not to mention the restaurants and shopping malls that benefit from the influx of golfers and fans to the city,” Ramokgopa said.
The Tshwane Open is aligned to the Tshwane Vision 2055 which is focused on increasing tourism, stimulating job creation, increasing business investment and creating a legacy in the city.
In the past two years, the event has facilitated significant growth in the global awareness of the Tshwane metro. The television broadcast package reached over 201 million households in 2013, a number which rose to over 217 million households last year.
The media exposure from the 2014 tournament amounted to over R60m.
Charity also did not go unnoticed with R30 000, consisting of money generated from ticket sales as well as sponsorship from the Sunshine and European tours and the players’ partners and wives, was donated to the Wings of Hope Centre for Children with Disabilities in Mabopane, north west of Pretoria.
The Tshwane Open, which is played from 12 to 15 March, will be the biggest golf tournament yet hosted by the Pretoria Country Club – a venue with an illustrious history.
“Pretoria Country Club‘s vision is to be the club of choice for residents of the greater Pretoria area and we are extremely proud to be hosting the Tshwane Open and joining Tshwane in what is a valuable marketing and showcasing opportunity for the city,” said club chairman David Avery.
The golf course at the club was redesigned in 2004 by Gary Player and the club had a great history in South African golf, producing some great champions. Most recently Richard Sterne and George Coetzee, Avery said, adding that in partnership with the metro, they planned to take the Tshwane Open to even greater heights.
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