Putting for glory and big money

SUN City's world famous Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge has changed its name to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, the reason: the winner will this year walk off with the unheard of sum of US$2m (now almost R14m) up from US$1m last year. Sun International and Nedbank, together with other sponsors say the prize money offered has taken the annual golf extravaganza at the Gary Player Country Club to a new level. "This year we have taken the bull by the horns and doubled the prize money in ensuring that the event will be irresistible to the cream of the world's greatest golfers," says Alastair Roper, the tournament director. In preparation for the tournament, the Gary Player Country Club's course and clubhouse will undergo a facelift. Tournament chairman, Philip Georgas, says extensive work will be done in bringing the clubhouse in line with the best in the world. "The ground floor is to be revamped, the verandah area will be enclosed with sliding doors, and the flooring will be refurbished with tiles and carpets. The Pro Shop will be also be extended to three times its present size to accommodate the many visitors to the club." He added that other improvements include the construction of an entire upper floor measuring some 1 200 sqm which will house a comprehensive gym facility and health spa, while a new halfway house will be built near the tenth tee. Regarding upgrades to the course, Georgas says a programme of beautification, involving the planting of various indigenous plants and shrubs will be carried out, as well as the fumigation and re-seeding of 16 putting surfaces and the paving of the roads on the course. Sun International also announced that the pay channel M-Net would replace the SABC as the television broadcaster of the event which takes place in the first week of December. (Miguel de Sousa)