Women’s professional golf has received a major boost with the announcement of the new Standard Bank Pro-Am Series scheduled to tee off at Killarney Golf Club from March 31st.
“After a challenging year which saw the postponement of the inaugural 2020 Standard Bank Pro-Am Series, initiated by Lifestyle Golf in collaboration with the Women’s Professional Golf Association [WPGA], we are thrilled to have Standard Bank on board again as a sponsor as we commence the 2021 Series,” said Margie Whitehouse, Chair of the Women’s Professional Golf Association.
“As we embark on this new journey, the WPGA welcomes opportunities to grow and empower both current and future individual women golf professionals within their chosen careers. We look forward to the continued support of our valued partners in uplifting and developing the women’s game, and the women’s professional game in particular.”
The Standard Bank Pro-Am Series was launched early last year but could not be played due to the outbreak of Covid-19 but now with the restrictions loosened and with health protocols in place, the Series will finally tee off at the end of this month.
Launched by the promoters, Lifestyle Golf in association with the WPGA, the Series will consist of seven tournaments to be held around Gauteng.
Speaking at the launch of the Series, Schalk Kotze, Standard Bank Head of Affluent: Consumer and High Net Worth South Africa.
said: “We are proud to be the title sponsor of the 2021 Standard Bank Pro-Am Series. It is imperative that we support the development of women’s professional sport.
“Over the years, our contribution to the development of sporting programmes across the continent has significantly helped elevate the role of sport in Africa’s growth story. Golf is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and Standard Bank’s sponsorship aims to support and grow the development of women’s golf locally and across Africa at large.”
The Series aims to drive the development of female players at grassroots level and empower talented professional female golfers by creating opportunities for more playing time, which will enable them to hone their skills further.
“Our aim is to promote, grow and develop Women’s Professional Golf in South Africa,” added Jenny Havenga, founder of Lifestyle Golf, “and in turn, afford amateur golfers the opportunity to improve their skills by playing this amazing game with our top SA professionals.
“We thank Standard Bank for their commitment in driving women’s golf in our country and are excited to pursue our vision together. We’d also like to thank the Women’s Professional Golf Association for their assistance in helping us achieve this milestone.”
After the start of the Series at Killarney Golf Club, the second event will be played at the pristine Serengeti Golf and Lifestyle Estate on May 27th. The next stop will be Parkview Golf Club on June 24th and from there will move to Glendower Golf Club, former home of the South African Open Championship, for the fourth tournament on July 29th.
“Golf, in general has low female representation. Female golfers make up less than 20% of registered golfers in the country”, says Kotze. “Standard Bank’s contribution to the growth of the golf ecosystem will not only create new revenue opportunities for professional golfers but will also help young female golfers transition successfully from the junior and amateur ranks into a world of professionalism.”
The fifth tournament will be played at Houghton Golf Club on August 25th and then a month later, on September 16th, Eagle Canyon will host the sixth tournament. The final event of the Series will take place at Silver Lakes Golf Club in Pretoria.
Bookings can be made online at https://www.lifestylegolf.co.za/events/ or through Cloud9Golf.
