European Ryder Cup stars confirmed for 2014 Nedbank Golf Challenge

Half of the victorious European Ryder Cup team as well as two Major winners and three former world number ones are amongst the first group of players to confirm their place in this December’s Nedbank Golf Challenge.

Tournament Director Alastair Roper, in announcing the first 12 players that will tee it up in the 4-7 December tournament co-sanctioned by the European Tour and Sunshine Tour and played at one of Sun International’s flagship golf courses in the Gary Player Country Club, said he was delighted with the response of Europe’s Ryder Cup stars.

“To secure half of the European Ryder Cup team, which is by far the biggest representation of that team to be playing in a single tournament anywhere in the world at this same time, is a major coup for us in a year when European golfers are in such demand following their Ryder Cup victory,” Roper said.

The European Ryder Cup stars in the Nedbank Golf Challenge field include Thomas Bjørn, Martin Kaymer, Victor Dubuisson, Jamie Donaldson, Stephen Gallacher and Lee Westwood. Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiminez, who was a vice-captain on the team, is also in the field.

Bjørn is back to defend the title he won in spectacular fashion last year, claiming a two-stroke victory at the age of 42.

Westwood is making his 10^th appearance in the Nedbank Golf Challenge and returns as a back-to-back winner of “Africa’s Major” in 2010 and 2011.

Kaymer is back hoping to add to his 2012 triumph in the Nedbank Golf Challenge, and the 2014 US Open champion and former world number one is joined by other former world number ones in Westwood and Luke Donald.

Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, leads the South Africans in the group, which includes 2013 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner Dawie van der Walt.

Thai golf legend Thongchai Jaidee will be joined in the field by his younger counterpart Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who qualified by virtue of his first-place finish on the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit.

NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE CONFIRMED PLAYERS:

Thomas Bjørn (Denmark)

Martin Kaymer (Germany)

Lee Westwood (England)

Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)

Victor Dubuisson (France)

Jamie Donaldson (Wales)

Stephen Gallacher (Scotland)

Dawie van der Walt (South Africa)

Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand)

Luke Donald (England)

Miguel Angel Jiminez (Spain)

Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand)

BY THE NUMBERS:

Past Champions (3):

Thomas Bjørn – 2013

Martin Kaymer – 2012

Lee Westwood – 2010, 2011

Major Champions (2):

Martin Kaymer – 2010 PGA Championship, 2014 US Open

Charl Schwartzel – 2011 Masters

2014 European Ryder Cup players (6):

Thomas Bjørn

Martin Kaymer

Lee Westwood

Victor Dubuisson

Jamie Donaldson

Stephen Gallacher

Former World Number Ones (3):

Martin Kaymer

Luke Donald

Lee Westwood

Countries Represented (9):

Denmark, Germany, England, South Africa, France, Wales, Scotland, Thailand, Spain

VOLVO OCEAN RACE IS SAILING INTO THE V & A WATERFRONT

The 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race finishes its first leg in the Mother City between 2 and 6 November. The race, which started in Alicante, Spain with an in-port race on 4 October, departed for Cape Town on 11 October and will see seven syndicates take on the grueling journey, which could take anything between 23 and 27 days to complete.

Known as the Everest of sailing and one of the toughest races in the world, the Volvo Ocean Race is the biggest event on the yachting calendar. It attracts the strongest and most experienced sailors, who will no doubt experience massive sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion and of course the wrath of Mother Nature.

Luckily for us landlubbers, there’s some fun and entertainment to be had from these athletic exploits during the stopover period from 1 to 19 November. While the sailors tackle a nine month stint with which to cover 39 000 nautical miles of the most treacherous sea, the V & A Waterfront becomes a hive of activity.

The lead boat is expected to arrive in Cape Town at the beginning of November. You can welcome the sailors as they arrive from 1 to 6 November at Quay 6, and join in the fun at the official Race Village opening at 5pm on the 1^st of November.

Be part of the Open Ocean Festival action in the Race Village during the stopover period, featuring activities such as stand up paddling, fly boarding and dragon boat racing. You can also catch the IRC National regatta, the Ocean Film Festival, the Ocean Long Table Fish Braai and other Volvo Ocean Race Experiences.

The race restarts on 19 November with the ceremony starting at 3pm and competitors leaving at 6pm. Catch the pro-am races on 14 and 16 November, or the in-port race on 15 November. The Volvo Ocean Race Academy will also offer activities from 16 to 18 November. There will be an on-site classroom and playground for aspiring sailors as well as sailing officials to better hone their skills.

The Volvo Ocean Race offers something for everyone as well as every budget with many free and paid for options. The Volvo Ocean Race, the Everest of sailing, on at the V & A Waterfront from 1 to 19 November.

Visit http://www.volvooceanrace.com for more info on the race en first leg results.