South African golfer Stacy Bregman is flying high. The Joburg-based 20-year-old has recently earned her Ladies European Tour card, placing third at the tour school in Spain. Bregman competed against 92 players from 25 countries for just 25 allocated playing cards. This career-changing milestone comes hot on her October 2006 triumph which saw her compete as an integral part of the South African team that won the World Amateur Team Championships, beating 41 countries in a nail-biting showdown against Sweden – the first time a South African team has won the championship.
It’s all part of the game. Says Bregman, “Coming from an amateur background – where you only win trophies – turning professional is very exciting. It’s really great to earn playing privileges. It means everything starts now. I can start earning money, and can start supporting myself. Literally everything changes.” Bregman has her eye firmly on the future: “Europe is a great starting ground, as I’ll be playing against new competition all the time and learning how to perform in the professional arena, which is so different to amateur golf. Longer term, my goal is to get my card on the LPGA Tour in the USA.”
Bregman has been a consistent top-five player in her five years playing on the South African amateur circuit. Says Ashley Kotzin, CEO of the FORWARDZONE Sports Agency – Bregman’s management group – “This is another great breakthrough for South African women’s golf. Stacy’s one of the first South African women to qualify for a European playing card in a number of years. We’re very excited to be representing such a fine young talent who has such great potential – and look forward to helping her develop her very promising career.”
Bregman’s debut year on the pro circuit is set to be formidable: she’s scheduled to leave for Australia in February to compete in the Australian Open and ANZ before returning to SA to compete in four tournaments. In May she’s scheduled to fly off to Tenerife, Spain, to kick-start her European campaign, which should see her competing in more than 25 tournaments through November.
With its global affiliations stretching from South Africa to Europe and the United States Johannesburg-based FORWARDZONE – which specializes in sports management, consulting and eventing – is perfectly positioned to assist Stacy with her globetrotting professional campaign.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Old Flag Rugby Fans
Much has been said over the last couple of weeks about rugby fans waving the old South African flag while the boks played the Ennglish and the World XV in England. There was also a story about a couple of boys who waved the flag when the boks came back from the tour at JHB International, oops, sorry, OR Tambo airport.
The picture to the right here, tells a different story from that that has been told. Maybe these people that wave the old flag have no choice. Maybe they can't afford a new flag at the exagerated prices that are charged. Maybe people just don't care about the politics and wave whatever is South Africa. Can the mullet in the clown hat be any worse? He is making a mokery of our national flag, isn't he?
If you make a fuss of something, people jump on thier high-horses and wonder why you are protesting so much. Deal with it and move on.
Thanks to Splattermail for the picture....
AT LAST, He leaves
It seems as if South African cricket is getting rid of all the slackers. The moron with the Australian accent left to Barbados and the fat, ex-spinner left as well. Now, another man who could never really bowl has called it quits....
Nicky Boje has taken the decision to retire from international cricket with immediate effect.
"I have decided to retire from international cricket immediately," said Boje, "and I am accordingly unavailable to form part of the Proteas squad for this season. I have had eleven years of international cricket and will always cherish wonderful memories of playing for South Africa. I now feel that the time has come for me to devote the remainder of my playing years to Eagles cricket."
"I wish my former team-mates in the Proteas side the very best for the future and I'm confident that the team has a very bright cricketing future."
Nicky Boje has taken the decision to retire from international cricket with immediate effect.
"I have decided to retire from international cricket immediately," said Boje, "and I am accordingly unavailable to form part of the Proteas squad for this season. I have had eleven years of international cricket and will always cherish wonderful memories of playing for South Africa. I now feel that the time has come for me to devote the remainder of my playing years to Eagles cricket."
"I wish my former team-mates in the Proteas side the very best for the future and I'm confident that the team has a very bright cricketing future."
Monday, December 11, 2006
Mvela Golden League, this weekend
The last of Sunday's fixtures saw Limpopo-based side Dynamos continue their Castle Premiership promotion claims when they bagged all three points on offer against OR Tambo District at Giyani Stadium, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
Cape side Western Province United - who are now safely off the bottom of the Mvela League table - drew 3-3 with Bay United in a high-scoring and entertaining match.
A Baymed Cup Final grudge match took place on Saturday, with FC AK no doubt out to avenge their final loss to current log leaders Free State Stars. Stars, however, eventually claimed a 1-1 draw in the highly-anticipated top-of-the-table clash, handing them a vital away point at Eldorado Park.
Whilst Stars held on to their position at the top of the Mvela Golden League standings, the University of Pretoria added to relegation battlers Garankuwa United's woes when they beat them 1-0, whilst Winners Park and Nathi Lions drew 0-0 at Seshego Stadium.
Mvela League action continued on Sunday when second from the bottom PJ Stars claimed an away point against Witbank Spurs in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Vasco da Gama, meanwhile, recorded the biggest win of the weekend - dominating their Cape Derby against Fidentia Rangers by a 3-0 margin at the University of Stellenbosch Stadium.
The last of Sunday's fixtures saw Limpopo-based side Dynamos continue their Castle Premiership promotion claims when they bagged all three points on offer against OR Tambo District at Giyani Stadium, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
Cape side Western Province United - who are now safely off the bottom of the Mvela League table - drew 3-3 with Bay United in a high-scoring and entertaining match.
A Baymed Cup Final grudge match took place on Saturday, with FC AK no doubt out to avenge their final loss to current log leaders Free State Stars. Stars, however, eventually claimed a 1-1 draw in the highly-anticipated top-of-the-table clash, handing them a vital away point at Eldorado Park.
Whilst Stars held on to their position at the top of the Mvela Golden League standings, the University of Pretoria added to relegation battlers Garankuwa United's woes when they beat them 1-0, whilst Winners Park and Nathi Lions drew 0-0 at Seshego Stadium.
Mvela League action continued on Sunday when second from the bottom PJ Stars claimed an away point against Witbank Spurs in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Vasco da Gama, meanwhile, recorded the biggest win of the weekend - dominating their Cape Derby against Fidentia Rangers by a 3-0 margin at the University of Stellenbosch Stadium.
The last of Sunday's fixtures saw Limpopo-based side Dynamos continue their Castle Premiership promotion claims when they bagged all three points on offer against OR Tambo District at Giyani Stadium, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Quiros seals maiden victory at Dunhill
Spanish golfer Alvaro Quiros surprised all when he surged up the leader board, over-taking favourites Charl Schwartzel and Lee Westwood to take the Alfred Dunhill Championship title on 13-under-par 275.
The gutsy Spaniard started the day four off the pace at eight-under after rounds of 74, 66 and 68.
Quiros started speeding ahead of the field after three birdies on the front and a run of three on 13, 14 and 15, taking his tally to six, and pinching the lead from Schwartzel.
At that stage journalists and commentators started scrambling for information on this unknown Spaniard, who aggressively climbed up the leader board and clung to the top spot with a final birdie on the 18th.
Quiros hails from the south coast of Spain and is playing in his first season on the European Tour. The 23-year old graduated from the Challenge Tour after finishing 18th on the Order of Merit.
He has represented Spain on all levels as an amateur and the Eisenhower trophy in 2004. At the end of 2004 he turned professional, but failed to earn his European Tour card when he missed the cut at Second Stage.
Quiros played on the Spanish International Tour and got a few starts on the Challenge Tour through invitations.
In 2006, his first full year on the Challenge Tour, Quiros broke into the top twenty on the Order of Merit when he won the Morson International Pro-Am Challenge.
Quiros sealed his victory with a remarkable putt for eagle at the last, which shaved the hole and left him with a formality tap-in to take the lead at 13-under.
Playing behind Quiros, tournament favourite Schwartzel was having a bad spell and could only manage one birdie at the second, offset by two bogeys that left the 22-year-old with a lot of hard work to do on his back nine.
With another drop on the 11th and an errant drive that almost cost him another shot on the 14th, Schwartzel luck finally turned.
The 2004 winner pulled the rabbit out of the proverbial hat with birdies at the 15th and 16th, leaving himself in a do-or-die situation at the final hole. A birdie would force a play-off and an eagle would secure the title.
“On 15 the wind just caught and it almost went out of bounds, but I was really lucky to pull that one off. Then, on 16, I hit the edge of the green and made a 20-foot putt,” said Schwartzel.
But lady luck seemed to desert him when he needed it the most.
“I felt good all day and never quite nervous. I was playing it well up the fairway. I was tied for the lead in the first round and then led during the rest of the tournament, so I really felt confident to take the title,” said Schwartzel.
But is was not to be.
Schwartzel’s second shot on the 18th found the water, effectively handing the title to the 23-year old Rookie from Cadiz.
“I was very nervous in the previous rounds, this is my first European tournament in this category. But I decided to keep fighting so I am very happy with this result, “ said a jubilant Quiros.
While players might have been intimidated by the names like Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Charl Schwartzel in the field. Instead Quiros decided just focused on his game impressing the gallery of spectators with his dynamic play off the tees.
“In the end they are just people like me. I knew it might count for or against Charl to play in front of his home crowd. So I just concentrated on my own game. “
“You know if I can make the shot I’ll go for it. Umbrellas are for ladies who can’t stand the heat,” Quiros jokingly replied to queries about his aggressive play.
Quiros has added his name to an elite list of Spanish winners on the Sunshine Tour, including Seve Ballasteros, Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jiminez.
And, he can sleep peacefully since this victory means a two-year exemption on the European PGA Tour and a five-year exemption on the Sunshine Tour (providing he takes up membership).
That, and the winner’s cheque of approximately R1, 500 000 that should lay a strong foundation for his professional golf career.
The Celebrating its 11th year on the Sunshine Tour, the Alfred Dunhill Championships is the first of three events this season co-sanctioned by the Sunshine and European Tours and boasts a prize fund of approximately R25-million.
The Sunshine Tour and European PGA Tour travel to Port Elizabeth next for the prestigious South African Airways Open Championship at Humewood Golf Club, from 14 to 17 December 2006.
The gutsy Spaniard started the day four off the pace at eight-under after rounds of 74, 66 and 68.
Quiros started speeding ahead of the field after three birdies on the front and a run of three on 13, 14 and 15, taking his tally to six, and pinching the lead from Schwartzel.
At that stage journalists and commentators started scrambling for information on this unknown Spaniard, who aggressively climbed up the leader board and clung to the top spot with a final birdie on the 18th.
Quiros hails from the south coast of Spain and is playing in his first season on the European Tour. The 23-year old graduated from the Challenge Tour after finishing 18th on the Order of Merit.
He has represented Spain on all levels as an amateur and the Eisenhower trophy in 2004. At the end of 2004 he turned professional, but failed to earn his European Tour card when he missed the cut at Second Stage.
Quiros played on the Spanish International Tour and got a few starts on the Challenge Tour through invitations.
In 2006, his first full year on the Challenge Tour, Quiros broke into the top twenty on the Order of Merit when he won the Morson International Pro-Am Challenge.
Quiros sealed his victory with a remarkable putt for eagle at the last, which shaved the hole and left him with a formality tap-in to take the lead at 13-under.
Playing behind Quiros, tournament favourite Schwartzel was having a bad spell and could only manage one birdie at the second, offset by two bogeys that left the 22-year-old with a lot of hard work to do on his back nine.
With another drop on the 11th and an errant drive that almost cost him another shot on the 14th, Schwartzel luck finally turned.
The 2004 winner pulled the rabbit out of the proverbial hat with birdies at the 15th and 16th, leaving himself in a do-or-die situation at the final hole. A birdie would force a play-off and an eagle would secure the title.
“On 15 the wind just caught and it almost went out of bounds, but I was really lucky to pull that one off. Then, on 16, I hit the edge of the green and made a 20-foot putt,” said Schwartzel.
But lady luck seemed to desert him when he needed it the most.
“I felt good all day and never quite nervous. I was playing it well up the fairway. I was tied for the lead in the first round and then led during the rest of the tournament, so I really felt confident to take the title,” said Schwartzel.
But is was not to be.
Schwartzel’s second shot on the 18th found the water, effectively handing the title to the 23-year old Rookie from Cadiz.
“I was very nervous in the previous rounds, this is my first European tournament in this category. But I decided to keep fighting so I am very happy with this result, “ said a jubilant Quiros.
While players might have been intimidated by the names like Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Charl Schwartzel in the field. Instead Quiros decided just focused on his game impressing the gallery of spectators with his dynamic play off the tees.
“In the end they are just people like me. I knew it might count for or against Charl to play in front of his home crowd. So I just concentrated on my own game. “
“You know if I can make the shot I’ll go for it. Umbrellas are for ladies who can’t stand the heat,” Quiros jokingly replied to queries about his aggressive play.
Quiros has added his name to an elite list of Spanish winners on the Sunshine Tour, including Seve Ballasteros, Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jiminez.
And, he can sleep peacefully since this victory means a two-year exemption on the European PGA Tour and a five-year exemption on the Sunshine Tour (providing he takes up membership).
That, and the winner’s cheque of approximately R1, 500 000 that should lay a strong foundation for his professional golf career.
The Celebrating its 11th year on the Sunshine Tour, the Alfred Dunhill Championships is the first of three events this season co-sanctioned by the Sunshine and European Tours and boasts a prize fund of approximately R25-million.
The Sunshine Tour and European PGA Tour travel to Port Elizabeth next for the prestigious South African Airways Open Championship at Humewood Golf Club, from 14 to 17 December 2006.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Dates for 2010 World Cup
Fifa has announced that the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will take place between 11 June and 11 July.
World football's Executive Committee has also decided to keep the qualifying format from the last World Cup so the host's place is guaranteed.
"We didn't change anything," said Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
Blatter reiterated that Fifa had faith in South Africa, but added: "...we have said that they should bring a little bit of fire to the preparations."
The decision to keep the same number of qualifying places will see five African teams plus South Africa secure a place in the tournament.
In addition, there will be places for 13 European countries, five Asian and Oceania teams, and a total of eight for South America and the Central American region.
World football's Executive Committee has also decided to keep the qualifying format from the last World Cup so the host's place is guaranteed.
"We didn't change anything," said Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
Blatter reiterated that Fifa had faith in South Africa, but added: "...we have said that they should bring a little bit of fire to the preparations."
The decision to keep the same number of qualifying places will see five African teams plus South Africa secure a place in the tournament.
In addition, there will be places for 13 European countries, five Asian and Oceania teams, and a total of eight for South America and the Central American region.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
SOUTH AFRICAN NETBALL TEAM TO TOUR ENGLAND
Netball South Africa (NSA) selectors have combined youth and experience in the SPAR national netball team to tour England in January. The tour, which includes three Tests, forms part of the team’s build-up to the world championships in Fiji in July.
Karen Venter is the newly appointed captain of the side touring England which consists of 5 new caps. The new caps are Tsakane Mbewe (Gauteng Central), Tamaryn Bragg (Gauteng East), Precious Mthembu (Ethekwini), Refiloe Mochaka (Gauteng Central) and Erin Burger (Gauteng North).
“It’s a new phase in the development of the team,” explained captain Venter. “Most of the new members of the team played in the world under-21 championships in the United States last year, so they have some international experience, and they also have valuable experience of playing in a major tournament.
“This tour will be very important for our preparations for the world championships. England are ranked above us internationally, and they play a similar style of netball to New Zealand and Australia, who are the top teams in the world.
“Their style of play is very fast – the ball moves very fast, and the players are also very fast, so we will have to speed up our style of play as well.
“It is also important for us to play away from home so that everyone can get used to travelling. Of course, England in the winter is very different from Fiji, but we will be playing on international courts with international umpires and get used to playing in conditions that are different from those at home.”
Five of the 14 members of the team are from the Free State, and Venter believes this will help the team.
“We have played together in the provincial team, and most of us also play for Kovsies, which means we know each other and are used to playing together,” she said.
The team is currently at a training camp at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. The camp began last week and ends on Saturday November 9.
SPAR National netball team: Karin Venter (captain – Free State), Sindisiwe Gumede (North West South), Tsakane Mbewe (Gauteng Central), Tamaryn Bragg (Gauteng East), Annarie Store (Free State), Rusky Mthethwa (Gauteng Central), Precious Mthembu (Ethekwini), Refiloe Mochaka (Gauteng Central), Yvonne Phiri (Free State), Erin Burger (Gauteng North), Nontle Gwavu (Eastern Province), Leigh-Ann Zackey (Gauteng West), Adele Niemand (Free State), Anchen du Plessis (Free State)
Coach: Burta de Kock
Manager: Marchelle Maroun
Karen Venter is the newly appointed captain of the side touring England which consists of 5 new caps. The new caps are Tsakane Mbewe (Gauteng Central), Tamaryn Bragg (Gauteng East), Precious Mthembu (Ethekwini), Refiloe Mochaka (Gauteng Central) and Erin Burger (Gauteng North).
“It’s a new phase in the development of the team,” explained captain Venter. “Most of the new members of the team played in the world under-21 championships in the United States last year, so they have some international experience, and they also have valuable experience of playing in a major tournament.
“This tour will be very important for our preparations for the world championships. England are ranked above us internationally, and they play a similar style of netball to New Zealand and Australia, who are the top teams in the world.
“Their style of play is very fast – the ball moves very fast, and the players are also very fast, so we will have to speed up our style of play as well.
“It is also important for us to play away from home so that everyone can get used to travelling. Of course, England in the winter is very different from Fiji, but we will be playing on international courts with international umpires and get used to playing in conditions that are different from those at home.”
Five of the 14 members of the team are from the Free State, and Venter believes this will help the team.
“We have played together in the provincial team, and most of us also play for Kovsies, which means we know each other and are used to playing together,” she said.
The team is currently at a training camp at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. The camp began last week and ends on Saturday November 9.
SPAR National netball team: Karin Venter (captain – Free State), Sindisiwe Gumede (North West South), Tsakane Mbewe (Gauteng Central), Tamaryn Bragg (Gauteng East), Annarie Store (Free State), Rusky Mthethwa (Gauteng Central), Precious Mthembu (Ethekwini), Refiloe Mochaka (Gauteng Central), Yvonne Phiri (Free State), Erin Burger (Gauteng North), Nontle Gwavu (Eastern Province), Leigh-Ann Zackey (Gauteng West), Adele Niemand (Free State), Anchen du Plessis (Free State)
Coach: Burta de Kock
Manager: Marchelle Maroun
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