The International Rugby Board today announced that Richie McCaw has been named IRB Player of the Year. The All Blacks captain scooped the top individual accolade at the IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline, held this year at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, Scotland.
On an evening of celebration and reflection, New Zealand Rugby won a hat-trick of awards with the All Blacks named IRB Team of the Year for the second consecutive year and head coach Graham Henry winning the IRB Coach of the Year award.
The All Blacks have been the outstanding team in 2006 and will finish the year at number one in the IRB World Rankings – a position they have occupied since June 2004. Last year’s IRB Player of the Year Daniel Carter was again instrumental in the All Blacks’ success and was short-listed for the top prize again this time, however, the outstanding leadership and inspirational performances of skipper Richie McCaw was a key feature of New Zealand’s supremacy during the year.
The IRB Player of the Year award was considered by a panel of former rugby legends with 503 caps between them including Jonathan Davies, Keith Wood, Will Greenwood and Fabien Galthie, chaired by double Rugby World Cup winner John Eales. All major Test matches during 2006 were considered with Australia's Chris Latham, South Africa's Fourie du Preez and Ireland lock Paul O'Connell all short-listed alongside McCaw and Carter for the prestigious award.
The IRB Awards also recognise the future stars of the Game and France's outstanding young fly half Lionel Beauxis was named IRB Under 21 Player of the Year after starring in his country's triumph in the Under 21 World Championship on home soil this year, while Australia’s Josh Holmes was named IRB Under 19 Player of the Year after a string of outstanding performances for his country on the way to the Under 19 World Championship title in Dubai.
The award for IRB Sevens Team of the Year went to 2005/06 IRB Sevens Series winners and current Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Fiji, while Samoa's captain Uale Mai was named Sevens Player of the Year.
The IRB International Women's Personality of the Year was awarded to England flanker Margaret Alphonsi and the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service went to recently retired test official Peter Marshall.
The Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished service went to former All Black captain Brian Lochore, the IRB Development Award was given to Mike Luke, the Spirit of Rugby Award was presented to Bali bombings victim Polly Miller in recognition of her charity work for other burns victims since the atrocities.
IRB Hall of Fame
The glittering ceremony also saw the announcement of the inaugural inductees into the IRB Hall of Fame that was launched during the Awards ceremony. The IRB Hall of Fame has been established to chronicle the achievements and the special contribution of Rugby’s players, coaches, administrators, match of?cials, institutions and individuals. Inductees will be announced annually at the IRB Awards.
To commemorate the establishment of the IRB Hall of Fame and to recognise the proud history and traditions of the Game, including its origins, William Webb Ellis and Rugby School were enrolled into the Hall of Fame. Accepting the Award on behalf of the school and its most famous pupil was Headmaster Patrick Derham. Visit the IRB Hall of Fame website HERE.
IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline – 2006 winners
IRB International Player of the Year: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
IRB International Team of the Year: New Zealand
IRB International Coach of the Year: Graham Henry (New Zealand)
IRB International U19 Player of the Year: Josh Holmes (Australia)
IRB International U21 Player of the Year: Lionel Beauxis (France)
IRB International Sevens Team of the Year: Fiji
IRB International Sevens Player of the Year: Uale Mai (Samoa)
Spirit of Rugby Award: Polly Miller
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service: Brian Lochore
IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service: Peter Marshall
IRB International Women's Personality of the Year: Margaret Alphonsi
IRB Development Award: Mike Luke
IRB Hall of Fame inductees: William Webb Ellis and Rugby School
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
IRB Awards
The IRB Awards in association with Emirates Airline take place in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday night when the winner of the prestigious IRB Player of the Year will be announced.
New Zealand fly half and previous winner Dan Carter, Australia full back Chris Latham, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, Ireland second row Paul O’Connell and South Africa scrum half Fourie du Preez are all nominated for the top individual accolade at the Awards, being held this year at the historic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the heart of Glasgow city centre.
The IRB Player of the Year is one of 12 categories of awards that include the IRB Coach of the Year, IRB Team of the Year, IRB Sevens Player of the Year, IRB Sevens Team of the Year and IRB Women’s Personality of the Year. The event also recognises Age Grade Rugby and there is a special Spirit of Rugby award which honours outstanding contribution to the Game.
The glittering ceremony will also see the announcement of the inaugural inductees into the IRB Hall of Fame.
New Zealand fly half and previous winner Dan Carter, Australia full back Chris Latham, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, Ireland second row Paul O’Connell and South Africa scrum half Fourie du Preez are all nominated for the top individual accolade at the Awards, being held this year at the historic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the heart of Glasgow city centre.
The IRB Player of the Year is one of 12 categories of awards that include the IRB Coach of the Year, IRB Team of the Year, IRB Sevens Player of the Year, IRB Sevens Team of the Year and IRB Women’s Personality of the Year. The event also recognises Age Grade Rugby and there is a special Spirit of Rugby award which honours outstanding contribution to the Game.
The glittering ceremony will also see the announcement of the inaugural inductees into the IRB Hall of Fame.
Paddler assaulted in home
A paddler in the Hansa Powerade 50 Miler became another crime statistic which stopped him from taking the start line for the second day of the event at Inanda Dam today.
Dusi star, Loveday Zondi, who made Dusi history when he finished 3rd in the last k1 (singles) Dusi in 2005 was assaulted in his home near Inanda Dam and ended up in hospital.
According to a member of a TV crew that was filming the star at his home during the night, a man who appeared to be drunk was asked to leave the Zondi residence. The man threw a rock at Zondi which dislocated his shoulder. The crew who are filming a documentary for international TV networks captured some of the drama on video.
“It is such a shame that this happened to one of South Africa’s top sportsman. Not only did this stop his race dead in it’s tracks, I think this puts his chances of a victory in the Hansa Powerade Dusi in January in jeopardy” said Ray de Vries spokesman for the event.
“When Loveday didn’t arrive at the start of the second day of the Hansa Powerade 50 Miler, we became really worried. A member of the TV crew informed me as to what had happened and I alerted race officials.
Zondi was admitted to Greys Hospital where it was confirmed that he had dislocated his left shoulder. He was discharged from the hospital after midnight last night (Saturday).
“I spoke to Loveday earlier today and he was sad that his race had ended, but was overwhelmed by the messages of support he had received from his fellow paddlers and others in the canoeing fraternity” said de Vries
Dusi star, Loveday Zondi, who made Dusi history when he finished 3rd in the last k1 (singles) Dusi in 2005 was assaulted in his home near Inanda Dam and ended up in hospital.
According to a member of a TV crew that was filming the star at his home during the night, a man who appeared to be drunk was asked to leave the Zondi residence. The man threw a rock at Zondi which dislocated his shoulder. The crew who are filming a documentary for international TV networks captured some of the drama on video.
“It is such a shame that this happened to one of South Africa’s top sportsman. Not only did this stop his race dead in it’s tracks, I think this puts his chances of a victory in the Hansa Powerade Dusi in January in jeopardy” said Ray de Vries spokesman for the event.
“When Loveday didn’t arrive at the start of the second day of the Hansa Powerade 50 Miler, we became really worried. A member of the TV crew informed me as to what had happened and I alerted race officials.
Zondi was admitted to Greys Hospital where it was confirmed that he had dislocated his left shoulder. He was discharged from the hospital after midnight last night (Saturday).
“I spoke to Loveday earlier today and he was sad that his race had ended, but was overwhelmed by the messages of support he had received from his fellow paddlers and others in the canoeing fraternity” said de Vries
Friday, November 24, 2006
Rugby Rankings this weekend
With nine of the top 10 teams playing this weekend, the results could bring about a number of changes to the IRB World Rankings, as detailed below.
New Zealand, currently 1st
Win or lose against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, New Zealand will remain at the top of the IRB World Rankings.
France, currently 2nd
If France defeat Argentina at Stade de France, they will remain in second in the IRB World Rankings. If they lose, they could end up as low as fourth, depending on other results.
Ireland, currently 3rd
As they are playing the Pacific Islands, the result of this match will not count towards the IRB World Rankings. However, Ireland could drop below Australia and South Africa if either record wins this weekend.
Australia, currently 4th
If Australia defeat Scotland, they will remain at least in third in the rankings. If Argentina also defeat France, Australia will go up to second. If Australia lose to Scotland, they could end up as low as fifth in the rankings.
South Africa, currently 5th
South Africa could reclaim third place in the IRB World Rankings, if they defeat England and Scotland beat Australia. Defeat against England will not affect the Springboks' fifth place ranking.
Argentina, currently 6th
Even if they defeat France, Argentina will remain in sixth place in the IRB World Rankings. If they lose, they will only drop to seventh if England see off South Africa.
England, currently 7th
England will go up to sixth if they defeat South Africa and France overcome Argentina in Paris. Should Argentina win, however, then they will remain ahead of England in the rankings. Should England lose and Scotland defeat Australia, they will drop to eighth in the rankings.
Scotland, currently 8th
Scotland could move up one place in the IRB World Rankings to seventh if they can get the better of Australia, and South Africa defeat England. If they lose and Wales can overcome New Zealand, they will drop to ninth.
Wales, currently 9th
Wales could move up to seventh if they can beat the number one-ranked team in the world and other results go in their favour. A defeat will not have any effect on their position in the rankings.
Italy, currently 12th
Italy will remain in 12th, even if they defeat Canada by more than 15 points. They will, however, move to within 0.4 rating points of Fiji in 11th. If they lose to Canada, the Italians will fall to 13th in the rankings.
Canada, currently 13th
If Canada defeat Italy, they will replace the Azzurri in 12th. If they lose, they will drop to 14th, 0.01 rating points behind USA.
A full explanation of the IRB World Rankings system can be found at irb.com.
New Zealand, currently 1st
Win or lose against Wales at the Millennium Stadium, New Zealand will remain at the top of the IRB World Rankings.
France, currently 2nd
If France defeat Argentina at Stade de France, they will remain in second in the IRB World Rankings. If they lose, they could end up as low as fourth, depending on other results.
Ireland, currently 3rd
As they are playing the Pacific Islands, the result of this match will not count towards the IRB World Rankings. However, Ireland could drop below Australia and South Africa if either record wins this weekend.
Australia, currently 4th
If Australia defeat Scotland, they will remain at least in third in the rankings. If Argentina also defeat France, Australia will go up to second. If Australia lose to Scotland, they could end up as low as fifth in the rankings.
South Africa, currently 5th
South Africa could reclaim third place in the IRB World Rankings, if they defeat England and Scotland beat Australia. Defeat against England will not affect the Springboks' fifth place ranking.
Argentina, currently 6th
Even if they defeat France, Argentina will remain in sixth place in the IRB World Rankings. If they lose, they will only drop to seventh if England see off South Africa.
England, currently 7th
England will go up to sixth if they defeat South Africa and France overcome Argentina in Paris. Should Argentina win, however, then they will remain ahead of England in the rankings. Should England lose and Scotland defeat Australia, they will drop to eighth in the rankings.
Scotland, currently 8th
Scotland could move up one place in the IRB World Rankings to seventh if they can get the better of Australia, and South Africa defeat England. If they lose and Wales can overcome New Zealand, they will drop to ninth.
Wales, currently 9th
Wales could move up to seventh if they can beat the number one-ranked team in the world and other results go in their favour. A defeat will not have any effect on their position in the rankings.
Italy, currently 12th
Italy will remain in 12th, even if they defeat Canada by more than 15 points. They will, however, move to within 0.4 rating points of Fiji in 11th. If they lose to Canada, the Italians will fall to 13th in the rankings.
Canada, currently 13th
If Canada defeat Italy, they will replace the Azzurri in 12th. If they lose, they will drop to 14th, 0.01 rating points behind USA.
A full explanation of the IRB World Rankings system can be found at irb.com.
RACE ORGANISERS TO CONSULT EC OVER "UNFAIR" PROTOUR
Organisers of some of the world's biggest cycle races are to call upon the European Commission over the running of cycling's elite calendar, the Pro Tour.
The Pro Tour was introduced two years ago by former International Cycling Union (UCI) president Hein Verbruggen.
However its introduction was met by a lot of resistance from race organisers, some of whom have since been marginalised.
The biggest current gripe of race organisers is that the current format of the Pro Tour - which consists of having the biggest teams racing in an elite calendar of over 20 races per seasons - is too restrictive.
In a statement issued here Friday, the AIOCC, the international association of cycling race organisers, voted 81 percent in favour of appealing to the European Commission.
"We have decided to consult the European Commission to show our opposition to what we believe is a closed system of competition in the ProTour," said the statement.
Eighty-seven race organisers from 12 countries participated in the meeting in Paris.
Among its many roles the European Commission regulates competition in the European Union. It vets all mergers with Community-wide effects and initiates proceedings against companies which violate EU competition laws.
The Pro Tour was introduced two years ago by former International Cycling Union (UCI) president Hein Verbruggen.
However its introduction was met by a lot of resistance from race organisers, some of whom have since been marginalised.
The biggest current gripe of race organisers is that the current format of the Pro Tour - which consists of having the biggest teams racing in an elite calendar of over 20 races per seasons - is too restrictive.
In a statement issued here Friday, the AIOCC, the international association of cycling race organisers, voted 81 percent in favour of appealing to the European Commission.
"We have decided to consult the European Commission to show our opposition to what we believe is a closed system of competition in the ProTour," said the statement.
Eighty-seven race organisers from 12 countries participated in the meeting in Paris.
Among its many roles the European Commission regulates competition in the European Union. It vets all mergers with Community-wide effects and initiates proceedings against companies which violate EU competition laws.
Hansa Powerade 50 Miler canoe marathon
An air of intrigue surrounds the weekend’s Hansa Powerade 50 Miler canoe marathon, as the season unashamedly shifts to preparations for the Dusi in mid January.
The 50 Miler course embraces the second half of the Dusi first day and the first half of the Dusi second day, while the second stage is identical to the Dusi final stage into Blue Lagoon in Durban.
A strong field has been assembled for the race which includes most of the paddlers that will be shortlisted as potential Dusi winners, bar the Dusi defending champion Hank McGregor, who has opted instead to head for the SA double ski championships in Knysna instead.
That leaves Len Jenkins as the clear favourite to take the two day race, and with it the tactical high ground in the crucial build-up to the Dusi in January.
Also in A batch are a number of potent K1 paddlers, all capable of winning the race and seriously contesting a podium place in the Dusi. Sven Bruss has been in excellent form, and he will start alongside his older brother Deon, and good friend Shaun Biggs.
Biggs, whose career in the SA K4 team has been truncated by commitments to his family’s nursery, is arguably the best river paddler in the country, and is coming off the training base that earned him a silver medal at the world marathon championships with Shaun Rubenstein.
Now paddling for Gauteng clubs Michael Mbanjwa and Loveday Zondi are both fixated on winning a Dusi K1 title and have both been preparing for this season with great determination. Both were raised in the Valley of a Thousand Hills and learnt to paddle at Robert Lembethes club at Nagle Dam, very close to the first stage of the 50 Miler course.
Also in contention are fellow Gauteng stars Jacques Theron, Piers Cruikshanks, Stu Rawlinson, Mike Stewart and Mike Harris, and local speedsters Brett Bartho, Jason Graham an Scott Rutherfoord, who is on the comeback trail.
The undisputed “Dusi Duke” Martin Dreyer is also in the field. While the 38 year old downplays his chances in the January showcase, he has a deep seated competitive streak that will make him a factor in virtually every race he takes part in. he has enjoyed a stellar year adventure racing, but has admitted to being lured back to the Dusi once again.
In the women’s race Alexa Lombard and Abbey Miedema line up alongside each other for what promises to be an intriguing race between two women who have both won the Dusi title. Carol Joyce is another top paddler who has opted to travel to Knysna instead of racing the 50 Miler.
The 50 Miler is also synonymous with cat-and-mouse tactics, as many paddlers with serious intentions of winning the Dusi title in January will be reluctant to show their hand in late November, and many opt to play a low key part in the 50 Miler and use it as part of their training and planning for the three day race in January,
The 50 Miler is sharply different to the Dusi, despite the fact that it shares the same two rivers. While the Dusi is blatantly designed around portages that either take short cuts or eliminate rough sections of river, the 50 Miler is intended to be a paddling race, and forces the paddlers to negotiate the rough water by outlawing most of the Dusi portages.
The first day starts just above Mission rapid and ends some distance below Ngumeni hill, with the second day starting at Nagle Dam and ending at Blue Lagoon in Durban.
The 50 Miler course embraces the second half of the Dusi first day and the first half of the Dusi second day, while the second stage is identical to the Dusi final stage into Blue Lagoon in Durban.
A strong field has been assembled for the race which includes most of the paddlers that will be shortlisted as potential Dusi winners, bar the Dusi defending champion Hank McGregor, who has opted instead to head for the SA double ski championships in Knysna instead.
That leaves Len Jenkins as the clear favourite to take the two day race, and with it the tactical high ground in the crucial build-up to the Dusi in January.
Also in A batch are a number of potent K1 paddlers, all capable of winning the race and seriously contesting a podium place in the Dusi. Sven Bruss has been in excellent form, and he will start alongside his older brother Deon, and good friend Shaun Biggs.
Biggs, whose career in the SA K4 team has been truncated by commitments to his family’s nursery, is arguably the best river paddler in the country, and is coming off the training base that earned him a silver medal at the world marathon championships with Shaun Rubenstein.
Now paddling for Gauteng clubs Michael Mbanjwa and Loveday Zondi are both fixated on winning a Dusi K1 title and have both been preparing for this season with great determination. Both were raised in the Valley of a Thousand Hills and learnt to paddle at Robert Lembethes club at Nagle Dam, very close to the first stage of the 50 Miler course.
Also in contention are fellow Gauteng stars Jacques Theron, Piers Cruikshanks, Stu Rawlinson, Mike Stewart and Mike Harris, and local speedsters Brett Bartho, Jason Graham an Scott Rutherfoord, who is on the comeback trail.
The undisputed “Dusi Duke” Martin Dreyer is also in the field. While the 38 year old downplays his chances in the January showcase, he has a deep seated competitive streak that will make him a factor in virtually every race he takes part in. he has enjoyed a stellar year adventure racing, but has admitted to being lured back to the Dusi once again.
In the women’s race Alexa Lombard and Abbey Miedema line up alongside each other for what promises to be an intriguing race between two women who have both won the Dusi title. Carol Joyce is another top paddler who has opted to travel to Knysna instead of racing the 50 Miler.
The 50 Miler is also synonymous with cat-and-mouse tactics, as many paddlers with serious intentions of winning the Dusi title in January will be reluctant to show their hand in late November, and many opt to play a low key part in the 50 Miler and use it as part of their training and planning for the three day race in January,
The 50 Miler is sharply different to the Dusi, despite the fact that it shares the same two rivers. While the Dusi is blatantly designed around portages that either take short cuts or eliminate rough sections of river, the 50 Miler is intended to be a paddling race, and forces the paddlers to negotiate the rough water by outlawing most of the Dusi portages.
The first day starts just above Mission rapid and ends some distance below Ngumeni hill, with the second day starting at Nagle Dam and ending at Blue Lagoon in Durban.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
American Hall of Famer Inkster confirmed for Women’s World Cup of Golf
The third Women’s World Cup of Golf will feature a mix of established stars and new talent on the fairways of the Gary Player Country Club in January.
All 22 countries have finalised their teams for the 19-21 January event at Sun City. American LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Famer Juli Inkster, English legend Laura Davies and the talented Carin Koch from Sweden have confirmed their participation.
South Africa will once again be represented by the experienced Laurette Maritz and teenager Ashleigh Simon, with the latter fresh from leading her country to victory in the world Amateur Teams Championships.
Inkster is one of the most respected players in the women’s game and will team up with Pat Hurst, who has made over $1-million in earnings this season.
Inkster’s career began in 1983, six years before South African Simon was born, when she was named Rookie of the Year.
Inkster, a mother of two teenage daughters, has multiple LPGA Tour victories to her name, adding another this season at the Safeway International. Renowned for her consistency and resilience, Inkster has also managed 12 top tens from 21 events in 2006.
Hurst’s consistency has been as impressive, and she earned her way on to the American team with 15 top 20 finishes.
The Americans finished fourth at the 2006 Women’s World Cup of Golf and will again be challenged by defending champions Sweden and inaugural winners Japan.
Sweden has selected Koch and Helen Alfredsson to defend the title they won at Sun City last year, while Japan will be represented by Momoko Ueda and Shinobu Moromizato.
Of the other countries taking part, Jennifer Rosales returns as the most experienced campaigner in the team from the Philippines.
The veteran English pair of Davies and Trish Johnson also bring a wealth of experience with them. Davies is ranked first on the Ladies European Tour, while Johnson, a Solheim Cup teammate of Davies, has accumulated an astonishing 101 top tens in her career.
Becky Brewerton and Becky Morgan, two highly accomplished players, have confirmed their participation for Wales, who ended third in 2006.
From an African perspective, Kenya will make their debut in the tournament in 2007. As part of the vision of the organisers to grow the game in Africa, the Kenyans were invited as official observers to the 2006 event.
Another first in 2007 will be the four development players who will take part in the official Pro-Am preceding the tournament.
Telecommunications giant Telkom has also confirmed a three-year sponsorship of the Women’s World Cup of Golf, which will play a key role in assisting the tournament to meet its charity objectives.
As part of several projects set up by the organisers, a craft market will be housed in the public village at next year’s event, where local crafters can sell their wares.
Another project encouraging youth involvement will see school choirs in the province hold a provincial “sing off” to win the right to sing at the opening ceremony.
And in partnership with Avis, rural woman in the North West province have been paid to grow 500 hanging baskets of flowers for the tee boxes at the course. These flowers will be sold off during the tournament to raise money for several worthwhile charities.
The funds from the tournament will also be used to build five houses in the province to house families suffering from HIV and AIDS.
The tournament is also fast becoming one of the biggest social events on the South African corporate calendar, and in 2007 official sponsor in Jenna Clifford is harnessing her association in joining with Olympic gold-medal-winning swimmer Ryk Neethling who will be amongst the celebrities attending.
All 22 countries have finalised their teams for the 19-21 January event at Sun City. American LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Famer Juli Inkster, English legend Laura Davies and the talented Carin Koch from Sweden have confirmed their participation.
South Africa will once again be represented by the experienced Laurette Maritz and teenager Ashleigh Simon, with the latter fresh from leading her country to victory in the world Amateur Teams Championships.
Inkster is one of the most respected players in the women’s game and will team up with Pat Hurst, who has made over $1-million in earnings this season.
Inkster’s career began in 1983, six years before South African Simon was born, when she was named Rookie of the Year.
Inkster, a mother of two teenage daughters, has multiple LPGA Tour victories to her name, adding another this season at the Safeway International. Renowned for her consistency and resilience, Inkster has also managed 12 top tens from 21 events in 2006.
Hurst’s consistency has been as impressive, and she earned her way on to the American team with 15 top 20 finishes.
The Americans finished fourth at the 2006 Women’s World Cup of Golf and will again be challenged by defending champions Sweden and inaugural winners Japan.
Sweden has selected Koch and Helen Alfredsson to defend the title they won at Sun City last year, while Japan will be represented by Momoko Ueda and Shinobu Moromizato.
Of the other countries taking part, Jennifer Rosales returns as the most experienced campaigner in the team from the Philippines.
The veteran English pair of Davies and Trish Johnson also bring a wealth of experience with them. Davies is ranked first on the Ladies European Tour, while Johnson, a Solheim Cup teammate of Davies, has accumulated an astonishing 101 top tens in her career.
Becky Brewerton and Becky Morgan, two highly accomplished players, have confirmed their participation for Wales, who ended third in 2006.
From an African perspective, Kenya will make their debut in the tournament in 2007. As part of the vision of the organisers to grow the game in Africa, the Kenyans were invited as official observers to the 2006 event.
Another first in 2007 will be the four development players who will take part in the official Pro-Am preceding the tournament.
Telecommunications giant Telkom has also confirmed a three-year sponsorship of the Women’s World Cup of Golf, which will play a key role in assisting the tournament to meet its charity objectives.
As part of several projects set up by the organisers, a craft market will be housed in the public village at next year’s event, where local crafters can sell their wares.
Another project encouraging youth involvement will see school choirs in the province hold a provincial “sing off” to win the right to sing at the opening ceremony.
And in partnership with Avis, rural woman in the North West province have been paid to grow 500 hanging baskets of flowers for the tee boxes at the course. These flowers will be sold off during the tournament to raise money for several worthwhile charities.
The funds from the tournament will also be used to build five houses in the province to house families suffering from HIV and AIDS.
The tournament is also fast becoming one of the biggest social events on the South African corporate calendar, and in 2007 official sponsor in Jenna Clifford is harnessing her association in joining with Olympic gold-medal-winning swimmer Ryk Neethling who will be amongst the celebrities attending.
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