4 May 2012 – South African golfers reached deep into their pockets in April as golf clubs around the country hosted Sanlam Cancer Challenge golf days in aid of the Cancer Association of South Africa.
A total of 38 men’s and women’s golf days took place at clubs around South Africa in April as part of the 20th anniversary of the Sanlam Cancer Challenge.
The nationwide amateur tournament, which last year drew 37 000 golfers from 800 club qualifying competitions, annually raises millions of rands for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). Since its inception in 1993 it has raised over R26 million for CANSA to assist with research into the disease and the treatment thereof.
Clubs from Boggomsbaai to Beeshoek, and Royal Durban to Erinvale, all hosted club competitions in April as part of the Challenge.
“We’ve had a phenomenal response from South Africa’s golfers, and it looks like we are well on our way towards raising the R3 million we have set ourselves for 2012,” said Gary van Loggerenberg, Sanlam’s Sponsorship Manager.
One of the standout clubs in April was the Kambuka Golf Club in Komatipoort in Mpumalanga. This small golf club raised R6 000 for CANSA.
“It went exceptionally well – far better than we expected,” said local Sanlam representative Johan Aucamp.
“The golf club has got such a friendly atmosphere and the people were so willing to try and help.”
Aucamp is well aware of the power of golf to make a difference. He is the father-in-law of Sunshine Tour professional Marc Cayeux, who is still recovering from a massive car accident in Zimbabwe in 2010.
“He is still hoping to play again and has set himself a target for the end of this year,” said Aucamp.
The Sanlam Cancer Challenge’s nationwide club competitions will take place from March to July, followed by the Regional Finals from August to September, and culminating in the Finals at Sun City on both the Gary Player Country Club and Lost City Golf Club courses in October.
For more information go to www.sanlamcancerchallenge.co.za
Message from Ernie Els
The Sanlam Cancer Challenge has been built up over the years by the South African golf community. I am particularly proud to be part of this process as I think every golfer who participates in the good cause should be.
So many people do so much to make the Club Competitions possible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the golf clubs and their management who take up the Challenge each year for their members and for CANSA.
I hope 2011 is a successfull year for you and Sanlam Cancer Challenge. Good luck.
To those playing this year: Thank you for playing a round for CANSA.
Ernie Els
