Team South Africa Wins the 20Th Commemorative World Golfers Championship
MEDIA RELEASE
9 November 2014
Team South Africa Wins the 20th Commemorative World Golfers Championship
A round of applause goes to Team South Africa who has successfully defended their title and secured a second home victory at the 20th commemorative World Golfers Championship, which was played in KwaZulu-Natal from 29 October to 7 November.
After leading the field from the outset, Team South Africa played a consistent and confident game across the 72-holes of the championship finishing on 1137 nett, 12 shots ahead of Singapore in 2nd place on 1149 nett. Team USA claimed 3rd place, just 4 shots further down the field on 1153 nett.Following the last trophy on the podium were the Eastern teams Vietnam in 4th place on 1165 nett with China a close one shot behind on 1166 nett in 5th place.
“This year’s World Final saw very competitive golf being played by all 45 countries that competed for both the Championship and Invitational titles,” commented Arthur Mzimela, Captain of Team South Africa.
In the Invitational, Team Malaysia3took 1st place on the podium after moving up the field to take the lead from Poland and finish 9 shots ahead on 568 nett. Team USA also pushed their way through from 3rd up to a 2nd place finish on 577 nett with the team from Poland finishing 3rd just 3 shots behind on 580 nett. Off the podium and securing a 4th place finish was the Austria/Malaysia partnership on 584 nett with Caribbean Island1 in 5th place 2 shots behind on 586 nett.
Isac Saminathanfrom Malaysia and Sweden’s Patrik Hogland shared the title in the Sven Tumba Classic, which was a once off commemorative tournament played over 2 days at Prince’s Grant Golf Estate and Beachwood Country Club.
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A total donation of R200 000, that included proceeds from the Classic tournament, was made to the Sven Tumba Fund, which supports five disadvantaged schools in KwaZulu-Natal.This included a R50 000 donation made to the Ohlange High school in Inanda where the late former president Nelson Mandela cast his first vote.
In a further tribute to WGC founder, the Sven Tumba Spirit Trophy went to Team Slovakia for their passion and comaraderie throughout the tournament.
The Championship ended on a high note for Spanish golfer, Jesus Gomez, whose final shot of the tournament was a hole-in-one on the 9th at Mt Edgecombe Country Club Course1.
“The 20thcommemorative World Final has been an action-packed 10-day celebration of world-class golf and topnotch gala events that formed a platform for golfers from all over the world to forge new friendships and take advantage of global business networking opportunities,”said Craig Clay-Smith, spokesperson for World Golf Events South Africa, the SA event owners and organisers.
The national pride of the golfers as ambassadors for their country combined with the prestige of competing in a tournament with a 20-year history could be felt from tee-off to the final putt. Durban Country Club, Umhlali Country Club, Selborne Park Golf Club and Mount Edgecombe Country Club Course 1 played their part in delivering a memorable world-class golfing experience that showcased to the world why KwaZulu-Natal is a sought after golfing destination.
“It has also been very exciting to see the high calibre of golf played and the growing number of younger entrants to the competition, which endorses the prestige of World Golfers Championship as the sought after amateur golfing title,” addedCraig Clay-Smith.
Mr Michael Mabuyakhulu, MPP, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs KZN, said, “This year’s championship coincides with our country’s celebration of twenty years of a democratic rule. The theme for this year Democracy, Sport, Friendship and Business is particularly befitting the occasion and this tournament is therefore in line with our vision to promote economic development, especially through thetourism and hospitality sector”.
Beverley Theron, Event Managing Executive of World Golf Events South Africa, concluded, “The investment to golf tourism in the country by golfers competing in the World Final is close on R300 million over the past four years. We are proud to have hostedthe 20th anniversary World Final back in KwaZulu-Natal for the fourth consecutive year, which showcases to the world our province’s ability to stage world-class sporting events”.
LEADER BOARD: Final Results
TEAMS
1stSouth Africa 21137 Nett
2ndSingapore1149 Nett
3rdUSA1153 Nett
INDIVIDUAL
0-5 Flighting
1stIndia: David D’souza284 Nett
2ndGermany: Dr Rainer Godeke299 Nett
3rdCzech Republic: Josef Karas301Nett
6-10 Flighting
1stSouth Africa: Nundhkumar Maharaj275 Nett
2ndSweden: Patrik Hogland286 Nett
3rdIndia: Balasubramnya Ramqkrishna290 Nett
11-15 Flighting
1stSlovenia: MItja Reinhart281 Nett
2ndUSA: Michael Scarpuzzi283 Nett
3rdSouth Africa : Eugene Mbambo285Nett
16-20 Flighting
1stMalaysia : Chew Wah Chai281Nett
2ndNigeria: Angela Uwabor290Nett
3rdCzech Republic: Martin Hala292 Nett
21-25 Flighting
1stSingapore : Seow Jun Hao 263Nett
2ndChina : He Shao Ping282Nett
3rdSouth Africa : Leon vd Walt284Nett
INVITATIONAL: FINAL RESULTS
TEAM
1stMalaysia3 : Isac Saminathan & Shaharudin Ismail568Nett
2ndUSA1 : Jerry Edwards & Tyler Mason577Nett
3rdPoland1 : Michal Ligocki & Michal Pfliger580Nett
INDIVIDUAL
0-5 Flighting
1stDenmark2 : Nicolai Norr Bast287Nett
2ndGermany2 : Hans Lichtenberg288Nett
3rdSwitzerland1 : Frank von Orx300Nett
6-10 Flighting
1stMalaysia3 : Isac Saminathan283Nett
2ndDenmark2 : Rune Villiam Bak300 Nett
3rdSweden4 : Johnny Hansson301Nett
11-15 Flighting
1stMalaysia: Fook Sang Hiew282Nett
2ndSouth Africa: Andries Claasen286Nett
3rdUSA1 : Jerry Edwards288Nett
16-20 Flighting
1st Malaysia4 : Wan Kamal Wan Ismail284Nett
2nd Malaysia3 : Shaharudin Ismail285Nett
3rd USA2: Marvin Shavers296Nett
21-25 Flighting
1stPoland1: Michal Ligoocki286Nett
2ndGermany: Christina Hofer291Nett
3rdCaribbean Islands3: Jeremy Walker293Nett
26-30 Flighting
1stPoland1: Michal Pfliger294Nett
2ndCaribbean Islands5 : Grant Stanis302Nett
3rdNigeria5: Tade Adekunle307Nett
Ends.
About World Golfers Championship
- World Golfers Championship and Invitational reaches out to all amateur golfers with the unique experience of a fair and exciting tour-like competition that begins as a national tournament and ends up with a grand world final against participants within your own skill level from all around the world.
- National teams from over 40 countries make their way through national championships to reach the world finals of the World Golfers Championship. Here the amateur golfer gets to feel and be treated like a true professional.
- VIP golf enthusiasts, business leaders, sponsors and even royalty from all corners of the globe, participate in the World Golfers Invitational.
- The world final is an exciting week of intense competition, beautiful scenery, exquisite luxury and great golf. In short, so much more than you would expect from any golf vacation.
- Both tournaments, the Championship and Invitational, are played simultaneously (but separately) under the strict guidance of professional referees assigned from PGA of South Africa. Off the course everyone enjoys various activities such as the Opening Flag Raising and Closing Awards Gala Ceremonies as well as other functions that include business-networking evenings.
- For more information:
Released By:
FLAGSHIP PR on behalf of World Golf Events South Africa
Contact: Lee Jarrett | Cell: 082-920-2142 | Landline: 031-202-8401 | Email: