SPAR SA Women’s Mid Amateur Champs a roaring success

GEORGE NEWS - Kingswood Golf Estate had the immense honour of hosting the unique inaugural SPAR SA Women’s Mid Amateur Championship.

This tournament, which was held between 8 and 10 November, was the first of its kind in South Africa for ladies and offered a platform for women in the age category 35 and over to be competitive in a sport that is largely dominated by the talents of up and coming youngsters.
The tournament is also endorsed by Women’s Golf South Africa.

Val Holland, Kingswood golf director and coach of the SA Amateur and Southern Cape ladies’ teams, noticed this need and with great enthusiasm set about making this tournament a reality. With the help of Women’s Golf South Africa (WGSA) and the financial support from various sponsors, specifically the main sponsor SPAR, the championship was realised.
Lady golfers from all across South Africa entered, providing a field of 71 women who played 54 holes over the three days.
The opening ceremony of the tournament was held at KeNako Golf Academy. Ron and Sally Boon, the owners of the academy, provided cocktail snacks and Rheboks Kloof sponsored the wines.

Holland welcomed everyone and Cynthia Rayner, vice-president of WGSA, officially opened the tournament.
Quotes from the opening speeches are:
"It is a perfect opportunity for SPAR to reach their target market - communicating with the organiser of the household is one of SPAR’s focuses. We are excited to be on board as a first time sponsor on a first time event for ladies golf in South Africa.
"We have also recognised that we need to increase our exposure in the southern region of the Garden Route and Kingswood Golf Estate and the KeNako Academy offers us a fantastic location," said Wendy Westraad, promotions manager of SPAR Eastern Cape.

Val Holland said: "This event has been a topic of conversation for many years in golfing circles and now the time has come for top South African lady golfers over the age of 35 to compete after many years of commitment and dedication to women’s golf. I look forward to reconnecting with all my fellow golfers from years ago on Southern Cape soil and at the most beautiful venue."
Monday night provided great entertainment with the gala dinner and Planet Golf fashion show. Kingswood hosted the evening in the marquee tent, sponsored by Marquee Tent Events, and KeNako again provided an excellent meal. The Planet Golf fashion show later in the evening showcased the latest golf ranges available for men and lady golfers.

"A big thank you to the resident KeNako kids, Southern Cape girls, Liz Nettlefold and Sheila Fraser from George Golf Club who modelled the clothes like old pros and provided much laughter and cheers," said Holland.
Great golf was played all-round and not even the bit of rain on Tuesday could dampen the ladies’ spirits.

The tournament was closed on Wednesday afternoon with the prize giving lunch at Kingswood and the course was handed back to Val Holland by the WGSA. All the ladies were in agreement that the fantastic prizes sponsored by Protea Hotel, SWAGG, Ping and DKNY exceeded expectations.

This first tournament was deemed a great success by all involved and many congratulations and compliments were received regarding the organisation, the friendly staff and the condition of the golf course.
"Kingswood would like to take this opportunity again to specially thank all the sponsors involved without whom this tournament would not have been possible. They are SPAR, Planet Golf, SWAGG, DKNY, PSG Konsult, Protea Hotel, Rheboks Kloof, EZ-GO Golf Solutions and Ping & Marquee Tent Events," said Holland.

Kingswood will be hosting this event again in 2011 and they are hoping to make it even bigger and better.