Cricket greats Barry Richards, Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis teamed up in one of South African golf’s biggest charity drives to raise money for the Birdies for Kiddies campaign at the Vodacom Origins of Golf tournament at Simola Golf Estate in Knysna.
The Power2You Putting Competition forms part of the Vodacom Origins of Golf series on the Sunshine Tour, which incorporates South Africa’s best golfers, celebrity invitees and some of the country’s most recognised business figures all raising money for various children’s charities.
With six charities set to benefit, and a host of professional golfers watching them, the three cricketers needed every bit of their big match temperament. Arriving on the practice putting green the players were taken through the task ahead. Five markers were set out at one meter intervals from the hole, with the challenge being to sink as many of your five shots as possible. The more balls you sink, the moreVodacom would donate to the six charities aligned with the Vodacom Foundation’s Birdies for Kiddies. At R10 000 for the one meter putt ranging up to R50 000 for the 5 meter putt, the pressure was on.
Kallis, undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketers of all time and the only cricketer to hold more than 10000 runs and 250 wickets in both one day and Test match cricket, raised a total of R80 000.
“To be able to raise money for these deserving charities and beat Mark’s score in the process is priceless.”
Boucher didn’tdisappoint with his efforts, raising a total of R20 000,
“I was pleased with what I could contribute, but I hate coming second. I feel good though that we raised a total of R120 000 for the charities. It was an enjoyable experience and thanks to the pros for taking time out and showing us how it’s done.”
Richards weighed in with a contribution of R20 000,
“I wasn’t about to let these youngsters outshine me. I love my golf and it’s just such a pleasure to be able to give back to charity through this game,” he said.
In addition to this Power2You Putting Competition, Vodacom is donating R500 for every birdie scored throughout the six-leg series. Now in its fourth year, the Birdies for Kiddies campaign has grown from one beneficiary to six with an astonishing R3-million being raised at the end of last year’s series.
The second day of the tournamentcontinues tomorrow at the Simola Golf Estate in Knysna.
Remaining events :
Date: 10-12th August
Venue: WildCoastCountry Club
Prize Money: (R540 000)
2010 Champion: James Kingston
Date: 31 Aug -2nd September
Venue: Sishen Golf Club
Prize Money: (R540 000)
2010 Champion: Jean Hugo
Date: 21-23rd September
Venue: Legends Golf & Safari Resort
Prize Money: (R600 0000)
2010 Champion: Justin Harding (D)
For Vodacom Origins of Golf related queries, please feel free to contact:
Thomas Abt: SAIL
082 411 0840
Thomas@Sail.co.za
Alternative contact:
Caroline Malan: The PR Machine
082 904 6848
caroline@theprmachine.co.za
