“It's a massive victory for me, I didn't expect to win the tournament, but I knew I had to take the challenge head on," bursts golfer Nobuhle Dlamini in a delicate but controlled laughter.
You could have understood her apologetic tone. Golf Greens are places where everyone must control their voices to avoid distracting the attention of a player while driving the ball into the hole.
Yet Nobuhle would not have broken any of the game's golden rules by happily laughing louder. She had all reason to do so at the end of the tournament where she had carded a great 72, 72, 70 to secure the Joburg Ladies Open title plus an Investec Order of Merit trophy on the sleek 18-hole Soweto Country Club in Pimville.
Bongi Mokaba, Director of Events in the City of Johannesburg was full of praise for the Swaziland –born young lady. “Her play took the shine out of the performance of Lejan Lewthwaite, the tournament's best player the previous day. Even the windy day on the eve of the final round, she remained head and shoulders above other players.."
During the prize-giving ceremony, Nobuhle said she was delighted to be on the winner's stand, adding: it had been nine-tough weeks of play which are now rewarded with the winners and Best Player of the tournament to take home.
“Everything went well for me on this great venue. Three years ago, I played on these greens. I must say the greens are completely different from how they were, after the renovations. The City of Johannesburg has done a lot for golf and I want to thank sponsors for investing so much in refurbishing the golf course and the City of Joburg for sponsoring the tornament."
Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, who also contributed his own money for the golf club's renovations, congratulated the players and presented trophies to winners. He also thanked Salwyn Nathan of the Southern Africa PGA Tour, commonly known as the Sunshine Tour. Nathan, who was absent from the tournament due to ill-health. Nathan had raised eighty-nine (89%) of the money required to refurbish the Soweto Club.
“The money raised exceeded my expectations and I thank Nathan's efforts and those who invested in this project. I also want to give credit to Bongi Mokaba and members of the Soweto Country Club for pulling this off," said Mayor Mashaba.
He encouraged members of the community and the players to ensure that facilities and the venue are treated with respect. Positive gains have been observed since the Mayor wrote to communities of Pimville and Kliptown residing in areas close to the golf course to protect the newly improved facility. They recently provided critical information to Joburg City's Group Forensic, Investigations Services (GFIS) and assisted the SA Police Services (SAPS) in the recovery of the fence and arrest of suspects who had stolen the expensive “see-through" fence.
“We continue to improve the clubhouse area. Recently, potholes were repaired with the tarring of the roads; clearing of rain water drain system to minimise risk of flooding during heavy rainfall; upgrading and installation of new lights which has triggered property improvement and increased value for their properties," added Mayor Mashaba.
MMC for Group Corporate and Shared services, Ntombi Khumalo, who attended the three-day tournament says golf has been a pre-dominantly male sport. “The City's support of the tournament demonstrates that it cares. In principle, the City supports women issues. This is not because of gender compliance but rather for real transformation instilling uppermost principles of the City including: equality, service and work with pride, which bring people together."
