South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal can proudly hold its head up high after receiving international acclaim for a highly memorable, 5-star hosting of the 17th Amateur World Golfers Championship. More than 200 golfers from 29 countries received the KwaZulu-Natal “warm and friendly” hospitality while enjoying the exhilaration of competing for a world amateur golfing title across four of KZN’s first-class courses, Zimbali Country Club, Umhlali Country Club, Prince’s Grant and Durban Country Club. High spirits and competition nerves, challenging winds mixed with perfect golfing weather conditions all combined with each of the course’s beautifully landscaped, but uniquely challenging terrains offered the ‘best of the best’ in amateur championship golfing experiences over the four days of play.
At a prestigious Gala Prize Giving, Thailand was announced the overall team winner of World Golfers Championship team event and Macau the winner of World Golfers Invitational. South Africa finished in 3rd place in Wold Golfers Championship and also won an individual world amateur title in the 6-10 flighting.
The individual flighting world title winners was Germany in the 0-5 flighting, South Africa 1 in the 6-10 flighting, China in the 11-15 flighting, Thailand in the 16-20 flighting and the Czech Republic in the 21-25 flighting.
The World Golfers Invitational event was won by Macau 2, with Germany in 2nd position and India in 3rd position. The individual flighting world title winners was Germany in the 0-5 flighting, Poland in the 6-10 flighting, Germany in the11-15 flighting, India in the 16-20 flighting, Macau in the21-25 flighting and Ukraine in the26-30 flighting.
Commenting on the hosting of the 17th Amateur World Golfers Championship, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Michael Mabuyakhulu, said, “It is with great pleasure and pride that on behalf of the government of KZN we congratulate World Golf Events SA on their personal initiative and the commitment they have made to bring an event of this stature to our beautiful province of KwaZulu-Natal. We are proud to host this wonderful initiative and support the objectives of all involved in this annual event. We would also like to thank the patrons and principals of World Golfers Championship and all participating golfers from around the world for entrusting our province with your treasured event, an occasion which is created to unite amateur golf enthusiasts from around the world with a common goal of developing the sport, forging global relationships and helping those less fortunate.”
Nils Nordh, CEO and Chairman of World Golfers Championship, added, “I am proud to say that the organisation of this event has been absolutely professional and the feedback from the golfers this past week makes me extremely proud. A special thank you is extended to the MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu MPP and the countless number of stakeholders who have shown their support for this event. Further appreciation is extended to IFA Hotels & Resorts, Zimbali Coastal Resort and Fairmont Zimbali Resort for their hospitality to my management team, all players and our patron HRH Princess Birgitta of Sweden who has enjoyed her stay immensely.”
This year a new trophy has been introduced in memory of the endearing, loving and kind spirit Sven Tumba (founder of World Golfers Championship) brought to the world of golf and the manner in which he grew World Golfers Championship over the past 17 years.
Craig Clay-Smith, spokesperson for World Golf Events South Africa, the event owners and organisers who have brought this prestigious event to Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa for three years, 2011 – 2013, explained how the trophy was awarded, “It is based on the manner in which Sven Tumba would love to see the championship grow in years to come. It is not all about winning, but about taking part and making new friends and forging new business opportunities that matters most. The first trophy is awarded to Nigeria who stood out for having the best attitude, complying with all organisational requests, going out of their way to accommodate fellow golfers, and being friendly and courteous on the course at all time and generally playing the championship with a positive spirit and the right attitude, both amongst themselves and towards others.
Visiting South Africa for the first time celebrity sport heroes, Jerzy Dudek (retired Liverpool and Real Madrid goalkeepr) and Mariusz Czerkawski (retired NHL ice-hockey player), who played in the World Golfers Invitational, agreed that KZN’s courses were among the most scenic and beautifully landscaped in the world and said they looked forward to returning to South Africa in the near future. Also playing the Invitational was HRH Princess Birgitta of Sweden who endorsed the sentiments of our beautiful province and warm hospitality.
The 18th Amateur World Golfers Championship sees the return of this prestigious event to South Africa next year and encourages all amateur golfers who have not yet experienced the thrill and excitement of playing “like a pro” to be a part of this exhilarating experience.
