The 17th through 20th annual World Golfers Championships were held in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Sport has an unrivalled ability to collapse national, racial, ethnic, religious and many other differences to build a unified human spirit for all the people of the world. Golf in particular has forged great bonds in the business community, which ultimately broadens global trade, creates jobs and reduces poverty worldwide.
A big thank you once again to Tourism Kwazulu-Natal, Trade & Investment and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, under the visionary leadership of MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu MPP, for their unwavering support.
Southern Sun Elangeni HotelWe are also extremely grateful to Tsogo Sun for coming on board once again as host accommodation partner.
The two host Tsogo Sun hotels offered the perfect location for golfers. Perfectly positioned in the heart of Durban’s Golden Mile, guests stared out of their room windows at the 180º horizon of the pristine blue Indian Ocean, with the waterfront a mere 200m from their hotel doorstep. The quality of food, accommodation and service provided by Tsogo Sun has been outstanding and is a major contributor to the success of The World Golfers Championship.
In keeping with previous events, 2013 was yet another fantastic tournament, with new countries taking part in the championship. The weather – the only aspect beyond the control of the event organisers – was not always kind to the championship. However, despite some rain, golfers still carded some really great scores, with many teams playing consistently well over the four days.
We feel extremely proud and privileged to have hosted the 19th world finals in our beautiful province. We trust that all golfers have enjoyed our hospitality and the opportunity to experience the unique cultural and entertainment diversity that KwaZulu-Natal offers.
This event was truly a joint collaboration, which enjoyed the generous support of a number of stakeholders in the province. We also thank the Independent Newspaper Group and in particular the Business Report title for the fantastic support.
The response to the 19th World Golfers Championship has been phenomenal, and the organisers wish all Prince’s Grant Golf Estate on the breathtaking Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is rated as one of the top twenty golf courses in South Africa and is also a winner of the 5 Star Golf Experience Award.
Umhlali Country Club
Umhlali Country Club is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most picturesque golf courses and tests the skills of the more competitive golfer while also catering for the higher handicappers, depending on where the T-boxes are placed.
Zimbali Golf Course, amongst the top 10 courses in South Africa to receive the Complete Golfer’s Fivestar Golf Experience Award. With its exceptional water and wetland features and an inspiring natural setting, players a safe trip home and great golfing in the future -preferably in our beautiful province of KwaZulu-Natal.
World Golf Events South Africa, the current event organisers, look back with nostalgia and a sense of accomplishment at the previous World Golfers Championship hosted in KwaZulu-Natal in 2011 and 2012.
In 2011, participants in the 17th World Golfers Championship were introduced to the unique culture and hospitality of our beautiful province. With the warm welcome of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu MPP still ringing in their ears, golfers enjoyed the superb golfing offered by the 4 courses of the championship.
Durban CC
Durban Country Club is a beautiful course lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the only course on the African continent to be rated in the Top 100 Golf Courses by Golf Magazine USA.
Zimbali Country Club is a memorable, charismatic and challenging course.
The response to the event was unanimously positive, which boded well for the 18th World Golfers Championship, held from October 22 – November 3 2012. Many familiar faces were seen amongst the participants, as many players returned to play and enjoy the beauty and warm hospitality of KwaZulu-Natal.
The winning formula of 2011 was repeated, with the only notable change being the course substitution of Cotwold Downs Golf Club for Zimbali Golf Club. Cotswold Downs is a magnificent Championship golf course, built to USGA specifications and as such boasts world class putting surfaces. Cotswold Downs was rated by Complete Golfer in 2008 as the best conditioned golf course in KZN and one of the finest in the country.
KwaZulu-Natal is proud to have provided World-class amenities and service, magnificent championship golf courses, luxury accommodation, friendly and hospitable management, professional organization and operational efficiency – the ingredients for a successful and magnificent World Golfers Championship, for three consecutive years. We trust that every golfer who participated will think back on the 17th, 18th and 19th World Golfers Championship with fond memories and a yearning to return to our beautiful province in the future.