Looking distinguished, Baiocchi said he felt honoured to be inducted and also to be immortalised in the museum.
Also present and there to be inducted was Jeanette Burd, one of South Africa’s top lady golfers with an all enduring career from the 1960s to 1971, during which she won countless records. At the glittering event, held at the Hyatt Regency Oubaai hotel, MC Dayle Hayes paid tribute to the other inductees who were honoured as part of the Class of 2011 including Cobie le Grange, world ranking number 15 (1964 - 1971).
Those that are deceased included administrator Charles Kingsley (1910 - 1936) and professional golfers George Fotheringham, leading professional golfer from 1905 to 1914, and Jannie le Roux, amateur record (12) (1961 - 1956). Special recognition went to Simon Cox Hlapo, leading black golfer before 1960.
Unique
Western Cape Minister of Culture and Sport Ivan Meyer announced he would be giving R50 000 to help fund the museum. He said his department had already contributed R350 000. He added that the Southern African golf Hall of Fame Museum is unique, and a world class establishment where in a most significant way the achievements of golfers past and present were captured with imagination and in a manner that makes history come alive.
Notables
Notables at the glamorous dinner included Sally Little, Grant Wilson, CEO of the Sunshine Tour, sponsor BMW GM Dumisani Radebe, Mayors of Eden and George Wessie van der Westhuizen and Charles Standers as well as Opulent Living Magazine Publisher Barbara Lenhard and Eden Municipal Manager Godfrey Louw. John Bland (2010 inductee) was also there with his wife Sonja.
The most well-known Southern African golf icons have been honoured so far. The Class of 2009 inductees include Gary Player, Harold Henning, Sally Little, Ernie Els, Nick Price, Retief Goosen, Sewsunker ‘Papwa’ Sewgolum, Mark McNulty and David Frost.
Guests had a chance to admire the museum which is now open to the public and has some of the oldest golf clubs, memorabilia, photos and a research library housed in a 523 m² building at Hyatt Regency Oubaai hotel. CEO of the Southern African Golf Hall of Fame Barry Cohen said he was gratified that the Pro-Am Celebrity Golf and auction held at Oubaai was so well supported.
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Golf icon Hugh Baiocchi and his wife Joan were a sparkling presence at the induction gala dinner held on Monday at the Hyatt Regency Oubaai at Herold’s Bay.
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ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
