Charity golf day was ‘phenomenal’

Fitting then that “phenomenal” was the word used by title sponsor Buco Rietpan’s branch manager Jaco Pretorius to depict the 2017 version of the Benoni City Times Buco Rietpan Charity Golf Day, which was held on September 6.

Now in its eighth year, the annual fund-raiser attracted 34 four-balls (136 golfers) to the new host venue for this year, namely the historic Benoni Country Club (BCC).

A warm spring day greeted the participants at BCC where many club-swingers were hoping their golf would be as hot as the conditions.

READ: Golfers swing clubs for local causes

Some participants moved around the local golf course with Tiger Woods-like ability and guile, while others (like City Times’ sports journalist Logan Green) were simply hoping their basic golfing ‘skills’ would be enough to avoid the dreaded prize of an actual toilet – proudly sponsored by Buco Rietpan, of course.

Fortunately, Benoni’s sports scribe managed to evade the dreaded Longest Day Award – this time – thanks to the efforts and scores of BCT editor, Kevin van der List.

In fact, Green described his outing as “a magical day at the beach” because he literally spent most of his time in the sand bunkers.

Luckily, he and all the other golfers who played on the day each received marvellous prizes courtesy of the numerous sponsors who had so kindly donated them.

The prizes were announced by proud Benonian Paul Rotherham who, once again, performed the master of ceremony duties with his usual humour and unique Benoni insight.

Pretorius said the event was a terrific success.

“The feedback we have had from our clients, suppliers and guests was great. Many of the guys who have played at golf days before, are saying this was the best one,” he said.

READ: Golfers unite for worthy causes

Pretorius added that the company had also benefited from the golf day on the business side of things.

“We have since received a couple of enquiries for quotations and have made some good contacts too.”

He said he was initially unaware of the development and lease issues BCC had faced recently.

“These issues made it even more sentimental to host the golf day there.”

Darren Millington, CEO of BCC, said: “Benoni Country Club is proud they were able to support the golf day and the local charities for whom the funds were raised.

“Once again, Benonians have shown how they come together in support of our wonderful town.

“Well done to all those who supported us. We also thank the main sponsors – Buco Rietpan – who truly put on a great show.

“The staff who helped out on the day and Jill Dial and her team from golf day marketing partner, Heypenni Gold Marketing and Design Studio, were fantastic.

“Congratulations to all.

“Thank you to the Benoni City Times and editor Kevin van der List for bringing the fund-raiser to the ‘home of the community – Benoni Country Club’.”

This year’s chosen beneficiaries of the golf day were two local non-profit organisations: the Benoni SPCA and the Manger Care Centre.

The total funds raised were not yet finalised at the time of going to press but the final amount will be published in the City Times soon.

• The top three four-balls (Betterball Stableford) were: 1 Mark Hamilton and Billy Mckenzie; 2 Phillip van Rensburg and Morné Pieterse; 3 Robert Heuer and Steve Prophet.

• Longest drive hole nine: Ruan du Preez

• Longest drive hole 18: Ruan du Preez

• Nearest to the pin hole three: Mark Beneke

• Nearest to the pin hole eight: Billy Nhlengethwa

• Nearest to the pin hole 12: Wayne Stevens

• Nearest to pin hole 15: Cliff Sher.

Sponsors and players at the 2017 Benoni City Times Buco Rietpan Charity Golf Day:

• ABE
• Action Coach
• Bella’s Biltong
• Benoni Action Sports
• Benoni City Times
• Benoni Citi VW
• Benoni Country Club
• Braai Buddy
• Brentwood Park Liquors
• Checkers Northmead Square
• CMS
• Emperors Palace
• Everite
• Face Value
• FKS Computers
• AB InBev represented by Frank Johnson
• Get It Magazine
• Getpix Creative College
• Grid and Grill Pub and Restaurant
• Hammond Pole Attorneys
• Heypenni Gold Marketing and Design Studio
• Heunis Roofing
• Hirsch’s Carnival Mall
• i-Collect Textile Recycling
• Ingwe Safety
• Jamm Trading
• Krimline
• La Maison
• Lakeside Mall
• Laserderm Rynfield
• Mac Neil
• Marley Roofing
• Matt’s Meat Market
• Maxi’s
• Meat Empire
• Meat World
• One Logix Group
• Oom Kallie Kakie
• Paul Rotherham
• Perry’s Foods
• Petit Bricks
• Pick n Pay Farrarmere
• Pick n Pay Northmead Mall
• Prestige School
• P&R Earth Moving
• Premier
• Radiant
• Robmeg
• Rothenberger
• Rynfield Primary School
• Spectacle Corner
• St Dunstan’s College
• Sephaku
• Suburban Services
• The Pro Shop Boksburg
• Tudo Pave
• Yolande van der Westhuizen Audiology
• @TheBistro