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THE Zimbabwe Golf Association has had another golf tournament added onto their calendar following the coming on board of Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL).
The Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Championship was launched in Harare yesterday.
Negotiations for the tournament started during the Zone VI Golf tournament hosted by the Namibia Amateur Golf Union in Windhoek in March this year
Paul Norris, head of export marketing at NBL said they had partnered with golf because the sport ensures purity and is governed by traditions something which draws a similarity with their brand.
“The reason for Windhoek Lager getting involved with golf and its development is that golf and Windhoek Lager have actually got a lot in common in that golf throughout the world is governed by the traditions and rules of the Royal & Ancient Golf controlling body which dates back to 1413 and this has ensured that the game retains its purity and world class (premium) recognition.
“Windhoek Lager, likewise has consciously decided to brew pure beer according to the Reinheitsgebot (Bavarian) Purity Law of 1516 to ensure 100 percent pure beer and world class recognition,” said Norris
Windhoek Lager has steadily been growing in the African continent.
Within Africa, NBL identified a number of focus markets where they want to grow the brand but also where there is a desire to grow the game of golf.
On this basis NBL worked with the unions and associations of these countries to create the inaugural Windhoek Lager Africa Golf Championship.
“Apart from Namibia, the countries that will be participating in the inaugural tournament are Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia. We definitely see this expanding in the near future to also include for example Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania and Kenya. Who knows where this will go . . . maybe one day Tiger Woods would also like to add this trophy to his collection,” added Norris.
Norris said they have been under pressure to change rules but would not do that.
He noted that national golf associations already have established tournaments that golfers enter, but often, the incentive to enter is not strong enough resulting in poor attendance or some players feeling they are not good enough to play.
“We believe through the Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Golf Championship that we have an incentive for all aspiring golfers to enter and play in these competitions,” he said.
Brian Maphosa, a member of ZGA and the liaison person for Zimbabwe in this tournament said this is obviously an exciting opportunity for local and regional golf and looks forward to very competitive golf leading to the finals.
Maphosa said each one of the participating countries would choose four tournaments which would count towards the Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Golf Championship and all players entering these tournaments would be eligible to participate in the Windhoek Lager Africa Jacket Golf Championships.
Players will compete in three divisions: A – Handicaps; B – Handicaps and C – Handicaps.
Four tournaments in Mutare (2), Hwange and Mashonaland South will determine who travels to Namibia on an all expenses paid for trip to compete in the final Windhoek. The sponsors will take care of the winners in all the three divisions.
The overall winner has the honour of having a plaque on the floating trophy to last forever.
This overall winner will also be awarded the Windhoek Lager Green Jacket and gains a wildcard entry into a PRO-Am event in South Africa.
1. Leopard Rock Open: 23-24 November 2013
2. Hwange Open: 28 November-1 December 2013
3. Troutbeck Open: 13-15 December 2013
4. Mashonaland South: Mid March 2014
Online Reporter