The Sunshine Ladies Tour has announced another major sponsor as Absa joins the 2024 schedule.
The new Absa Ladies Invitational will be hosted at Serengeti Estates in Gauteng from 4-6 April.
The announcement follows hot on the heels of the Pan-African banking giant unveiling its fresh brand positioning with the tagline, Your story matters.
With this sponsorship, Absa is writing an exciting new chapter, underscoring its commitment to diversity and inclusion, not only in the boardroom, but also in the world of sport and within the communities it serves.
With the 2024 Sunshine Ladies Tour already keeping golf enthusiasts on the edge of their seats, the Absa Ladies Invitational with prize money of R1.2-million forms part of a strong schedule of eight tournaments, two of which are co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour.
“As part of our efforts to be an active force for good in everything we do, we are proud to be part of the Sunshine Ladies Tour and to be fostering diversity and inclusivity in the world of golf,” said Sanah Gumede, managing executive for strategy and customer value management at Absa Relationship Banking.
“Although the journey to narrow the gender pay gap is ongoing, Absa Relationship Banking takes pride in actively fostering greater equity through this sponsorship, while also creating more playing opportunities.”
Absa’s sponsorship will also encompass a golf development programme targeted at young women and will include both professional and amateur players.
“As the proud sponsor of the Absa Ladies Invitational, we also look forward to playing our part in bringing clients and communities together as we recognise and celebrate the talent, dedication and skill of women golfers, and contribute to a more balanced and equitable landscape within the sport,” added Gumede.
The Absa Ladies Invitational has already attracted high profile entries, including 15-time winner Lee-Anne Pace, six-time winner Stacy Bregman and three-time winner Casandra Alexander. Previous winners Nadia van der Westhuizen and Anne-Lise Caudal have also confirmed their participation.
The 2024 Sunshine Ladies Tour will see the country’s elite women’s professional golfers competing for total prize money of almost R20-million and with live coverage on SuperSport in what is another significant statement regarding the growth of women’s sport in South Africa.
“Absa is immensely proud to be supporting the Sunshine Ladies Tour,” said Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele, Absa’s group chief marketing and corporate affairs officer.
“Breaking barriers and empowering women in society, sports and the workplace are ingrained in the Absa DNA – and there is great congruence with this, and the work we have already undertaken to promote women’s participation in the renowned Absa Cape Epic through the enduring #SheUntamed initiative.
“As Absa moves towards a more human-centered approach to banking, initiatives like this are the ultimate embodiment of our commitment to making a meaningful contribution
Thomas Abt, commissioner of the Sunshine Tour and speaking on behalf of the Sunshine Ladies Tour, said: “Together with the Absa Group we now have an extremely competitive Sunshine Ladies Tour that will showcase not only the growing strength of Southern African women’s golf, but also the growing value some of the biggest brands see in women’s golf.”
2024 Sunshine Ladies Tour schedule
16-18 February: Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am. Fancourt
21-23 February: SuperSport Ladies Challenge presented by Sun International, Lost City Golf Course.
6-8 March: Fidelity ADT Ladies Challenge, Blue Valley Golf Estate.
13-15 March: Cape Town Ladies Open, Royal Cape Golf Club.
4-6 April: Absa Ladies Invitational, Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate.
10-12 April: Jabra Ladies Classic, Glendower Golf Club.
18-21 April: Joburg Ladies Open, Modderfontein Golf Club (co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour)
25-28 April: Investec South African Women’s Open, Erinvale Golf Estate (co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour).
Photo: Troy Winfield/Sunshine Tour
