Forming part of the winter swing on the Sunshine Tour, this twelve year old tournament is unparalleled in its playing format in the sense that two pre-qualified professionals team up with two invited amateurs for the three day event.
The six-leg series has always been synonymous with giving, and today was no different with three pro golfers and three amateurs challenging each other in the Power2You Challenge. Forming part of the Vodacom Origins of Golf brought to you by Samsung series, the hard hitting challenge required each player to hit the ball as straight as he could – in line with a series of pegs set down the first fairway. With money to be raised for the selected Vodacom charities Women and Men Against Child Abuse and Memeza, the event was not to be taken lightly.
First off the tee was the experienced Doug McGuigan. The six time winner on the Sunshine Tour hit merely meters away from the pegs, with his fellow counterparts suggesting they all go home after such a magnificent shot. Striking it equally as impressively was the 31 year old Neil Schietekat, resulting in each golfer raising R5000 for the charities. Last to go was the Kwa-Zulu Natal local Colin Nel who struck so sweetly that he landed within 1 meter of the peg – a perfect drive of over nearly 300m. With R20 000 raised by the pro’s it was the turn of the amateurs.
It was former pro rugby player Robbie Kempson who tried his hand at the accuracy challenge. As current Academy Manager at the Southern Kings Rugby Team, Kempson is an occasional golfer who struggled with the windy conditions out on the first tee. The consolation to his poor hitting was that even the last placed player would raise a much valued R5000. Following him was Samsung’s Warren Jennings who too struggled with his straight hitting equalling Robbie’s contribution. Vodacom’s Alberts Breed was the out and out winner of the amateur section, securing his R10 000 for Memeza and Women and Men Against Child Abuse. Adding some light-heartedness to the challenge, Robbie and Warren faced off against each other for one shot, with Warren improving slightly on the first time round and securing a bonus added R5000.
With the total money raised of R45 000 by the six participants, both charities ultimately walk away the winners even before the 2015 Vodacom Origins of Golf presented by Samsung began.
Pro golfers raise R45 000 for Vodacom supported charities
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