The four winners of South Africa’s top amateur annual golf tournament – Tsogo Sun’s Duke of Edinburgh Championship – were revealed after a day of nail-biting play on 20 April on the Rockland and Woodmead courses of the Johannesburg Country Club, winning a once-in-a-lifetime chance to participate in the exclusive Duke of Edinburgh Cup 2015 World Finals in England.
The winners are Mr Mervin Mudaly and Mr Kevin Naidoo from Pietermaritzburg, representing Golden Horse Casino, who won on the Rockland course, and Mr Man Chan and Mr Zhao Jin Chen from Johannesburg North, representing Silverstar Casino, who won on the Woodmead course.
The tournament represents the South African leg of the Duke of Edinburgh Cup, which is played annually in 10 different countries with the aim of raising funds to benefit children and young people in need. Tsogo Sun has been associated with the tournament for more than 10 years and has raised over R8 million for charitable causes over the years.
The much sought-after prize for the winning pair on each course is a golfer’s dream come true. It includes a trip to London, hotel accommodation for five nights from 27 September to 1 October 2015, entry to the 36-hole Duke of Edinburgh Cup World Final which will be held over two days at the Buckinghamshire and Mill Ride Golf clubs near Windsor, an invitation to play at the Royal Household Golf Club at Windsor Great Park and attendance at a royal champagne reception and prize-giving dinner in the state apartments of Windsor Castle where all contestants and their guests will be introduced to a senior member of the British Royal Family who will be in attendance at the dinner.
This year’s tournament was by invitation only, giving Tsogo Sun the opportunity to thank their loyal and supportive card members.
“The Duke of Edinburgh Championship is a highlight on our annual calendar; it is a leading tournament in the country and always provides an exciting day’s play, and it also gives us a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for underprivileged children,” says Noëleen Bruton, Director of Marketing for Tsogo Sun.
This year more than 2 200 children from Grade 1 to Grade 7 from Muzomuhle Primary School, Diepsloot’s oldest and largest school, benefitted from funds raised through the charity-driven golf tournament. On 24 March, Tsogo Sun handed over 2 200 anoraks, 400 pairs of school shoes and 300 school jerseys to help the children cope through the winter months. Tsogo Sun worked in partnership with the school to identify the children’s needs and how to positively impact these children’s school experience.
“We’re delighted to be involved in this highly prestigious event every year and we believe it is a truly memorable experience for all the players – particularly the winners – as well as the worthy beneficiaries of the funds we raised. We heartily congratulate the four worthy winners and wish them an exciting and successful trip to the Duke of Edinburgh Cup finals in September,” says Bruton.
Tsogo Sun’s portfolio includes over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi. The Group operates in all segments of the hotel market from Deluxe to Budget. For further information, visit tsogosun.com.
