AS CUSTOMARY members of the press were invited to inspect and
and tee-off at this years’ Nedbank Golf Challenge Gary Player course at Sun City. And boy, we came in large numbers.
This is in preparation for the European Tour sanction tournament, were world’s top stars will be teeing off at the revamped resort from November 9 to 12 2017.
Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn makes a return to his happy hunting ground to compete for the $7.5 million tournament.
Four years’ ago the Danish swept aside challenges from the likes of Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose to claim the 15th European Tour title of his glittering career.
The likes of SAs Luis Oosthuizen and Brandon Stone, Swedish Noren Alex and Henrik Stenson and others, will be the talk of town as they vie for top honours at Africa’s Major.
Other groundbreaking news is that an application MasterPass will be added as part of the digital drive and a new mobile phone during the tournament.
This will encourage fans to use their mobile phones at tournaments, but under certain guidelines.
Fans can take photographs anywhere on the golf course but must have the phone on silent and the camera flash switched off.
The taking of video will be restricted to non-competition areas at a tournament such as the driving range. And there will be designated mobile phone areas where the public can make and receive phone calls during a tournament.
The MasterPass is a cashless payment portal within the app that will allow golf fans to purchase anything from tickets, food and beverages, as well as merchandise using the app.
“The app was one of the tremendous innovations that we experienced at the 2016 Nedbank Golf Challenge,” said Andy Stubbs, Director, International Policy for the European Tour.
“The app proved a great success with over 11 500 sign-ups and fantastic interaction and engagement throughout the tournament week. The European Tour is working closely with the app development team and is looking to add a number of new dimensions including live scoring, video clips and other items.”
Euphoric Raul Deliam, Sun City Complex- General Manager, quipped that they look forward welcoming the stars and their families as they soak under the South African skies at the rejuvenated resort for work and fun.
DJ Tira was also seen gallivanting with family at the popular Valley of Waves. Unfortunately, we couldn’t establish if he’s an ardent Golfer…
Tickets for the 2017 Nedbank Golf Challenge are on sale at http://www.ticketpros.co.za.
Adults will pay R100 for access on the practice and pro-am days on Tuesday 7 November and Wednesday 8 November, after which the cost will be R200 on Thursday 9 November and Friday 10 November, and R220 on Saturday 11 November and Sunday 12 November.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 will gain free access on 7 and 8 November, after which they will pay R90 on 9 and 10 November, and R100 on 11 and 12 November.
Children under 12 will gain free access for the duration of the event.
We can’t wait to see that stroke of a genius!
