The 2018 Drive to Sun City is well under way after an early start at San Lameer and a detour to Zimbali via Omeya Golf Club in Namibia, writes WADE PRETORIUS in Compleat Golfer.
‘We love hosting the Els for Autism golf day here at San Lameer Country Club,’ says golf director Meyer du Toit, the 2015 PGA Professional of the Year.
‘December is the start of our season and the start of the Drive to Sun City, so it’s a perfect match.
‘We absolutely love being a part of it and always make sure we continue to roll out the red carpet in support of Ernie’s great cause. We are so thrilled to be asked to host a leg of this initiative and watch as our members and their guests come to the party and throw their weight behind the event.’
There were 108 players who took to the lush fairways of San Lameer looking to book their place at the new final at Sun City but at the end of the round just two, Koko Zithumane and Mthandeni Mtshaka, were the ones to advance.
For the field in play, the day didn’t end there as the auction, a video of thanks from the ‘Big Easy’ and then the hospitality of the San Lameer team were other treats that made the day so worthwhile. ‘We had a little shootout on the deck afterwards and challenged the likes of Mark McNulty and Pat Symcox to test their skills. It was good fun and we even managed to raise a few extra thousand for the autism cause,’ says Du Toit.
‘The first leg of the Els for Autism series has become so popular that next year is already filling up as businesses jostle for their place in the festivities. The message from those who played is clear – if you don’t book early, you’ll miss out and we can’t wait to have a full field back for next year!’ adds Du Toit.
Next up was the serene pace of Namibia as Omeya Golf Club’s members embraced the challenge of keeping up with the standard set by those on the KZN South Coast.
‘The first event of 2018 was a roaring success thanks to Dan Zwiebel and his team,’ says Els for Autism’s Nico van Rensburg.
‘The pace over the border was slower but not in terms of effort, performance on the course or in the clubhouse afterwards. The members enjoyed themselves and their sponsors made it worthwhile.’
Booking their place at Sun City with a whopping 47 points were XL Dang and Min Deng as they outplayed the rest in ‘God’s own country’.
Adding their names to the finalists at Sun City were Fanie van Rensburg and Shane Douglas. The duo came out tops after another excellent outing at Zimbali Country Club.
The Els for Autism series has returned to South Africa well supported after being treated to the finest hospitality north of the border, as the local legs come thick and fast over the next few months.
HOW CAN READERS HELP?
Els for Autism funds its centre mainly through golf days, which form part of the ‘Els for Autism Drive
to Sun City’. You can enter these golf days:
1 June: Stellenbosch GC
8 June: Royal Jhb East and West
15 June: Pretoria CC
28 June: Randpark GC
27 July: Oubaai GC
21 August: Copperleaf Els Club
18 October: Silver Lakes Estate
25 October: Ebotse Estate
31 Nov – 1 Dec: Sun City (final)
– This article first appeared in the May issue of Compleat Golfer, now on sale!
