NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE: The design  is a wonderful representation and record of the great history of Africa’s major tournament

By Sports Reporter

On the first tee at this year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge will be two icons of this tournament – Gary Player and the famous crystal trophy awarded to the winner of ‘Africa’s Major’.

Both were there when this tournament first teed off in 1981. Player has shaken the hands of the greatest in golf to play in this event, and the trophy bears their names.

“When I think about the beautiful crystal trophy, I think of what Lee Trevino once said about the Gary Player Country Club course. He told me we got the design of the golf course right the first time.

 I feel the same about the trophy. The design was perfect from the start, and it is a wonderful representation and record of the great history of the Nedbank Golf Challenge,”said Gary Player.

The Nedbank Golf Challenge’s crystal trophy can trace its roots back to an Irish city founded by Vikings and to a company with a history of over 200 years in the art of glassmaking for royalty and some of the world’s greatest sport events. It was in 1981 that Sam Feldman, the charismatic sports promoter who was part of the early team behind the launch of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, placed a phonecall to Waterford Crystal in the city of Waterford in Ireland for the purpose of designing a trophy for a new golf tournament at Sun City.

But not just any trophy. As Feldman explained over the phone, “We are hosting the richest tournament in world golf. We need a trophy just as special”.

That was how the crystal trophy of ‘Africa’s Major’ came into existence. Feldman’s idea for the design was that it should be a golf ball and that the stem of the trophy should represent a tee in the ground upon which the ball rests.

“Every time a player lifts it up I feel for him, because I know how heavy that trophy is,”said Feldman. The winner of the Nedbank Golf Challenge also receives a smaller replica of the trophy to keep.

The original design of the trophy was so accurate and timeless that it has hardly changed at all over the years.

The only change to the original trophy is to its base. There was an inconsistency as a result of the different inscribers of the champions’ names over the years, and it was decided to replace the base and have one inscriber redo all of the names.

The 2023 Nedbank Golf Challenge will once again be included on the DP World Tour schedule in partnership with Nedbank and Sun International and will be the penultimate event before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

This year’s field already includes defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, Major champions Justin Thomas and Justin Rose, and Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner and DP World Tour champion Ockie Strydom

MAGNANIMOUS BUCS

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Lofentse Girls High School rewarded with the Pitso Mosimane Multipurpose Facility

By Sports Reporter

In a heartwarming gesture of community support and sports development, Orlando Pirates Football Club as the 2022/23 Nedbank Champions, celebrated their achievement by giving back to the local community.

The Club rewarded Lofentse Girls High School, situated in Orlando East, with the impressive Pitso Mosimane Multipurpose Facility during a glittering event held at the school on Tuesday afternoon. The project became a reality thanks to the generous funding provided by Nedbank, in collaboration with The Sports Trust’s Soccer Development Programme.  The partnership underscores a shared commitment to the development of sports, the identification of talent, and the empowerment of the local community in South Africa.

Lofentse Girls High School holds a special place in this endeavour, as it is the first all-girls school to receive the Pitso Mosimane Multipurpose Sports Court. The school not only offers a diverse range of sports disciplines but also provides a progressive and empowering academic program.

It is widely regarded as the premier educational institution in Orlando, making it the ideal choice for parents seeking to provide their children with a high-quality education in a convenient location equipped with excellent facilities.

The event was attended by distinguished guests, including the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Zizi Kodwa; Nedbank Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Khensani Nobanda; Coach Pitso Mosimane; the Premier of Gauteng, Payanza Lesufi; and the PSL Chairman, Dr. Irvin Khoza.

Orlando Pirates media officer, Thandi Merafe, expressed that choosing Lofentse Girls High School as the recipient of the gift was an obvious choice. 

The school is nestled in the very heart of the community that gave birth to Orlando Pirates Football Club, further cementing the Club’s commitment to its roots.

The Pitso Mosimane Multipurpose Facility is expected to play a fundamental role in fostering the growth of soccer, netball, and volleyball talents within the Orlando community and surrounding schools.