The game is on … SA Open tees off
Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubeli emphasised the importance of the metro hosting the SA Open at Glendower Golf Club, during the gala dinner, held at Emperors Palace, this week.
“When the City of Ekurhuleni resolved to host this spectacular four years ago we had no doubt that it would fly our flag higher locally and internationally,” said the mayor.
“We knew it would help us to fast-track our introduction as a young metro to the world, as the destination of choice to stay, work and play.
“We understood that, among others, local industries and the local sports sector would emerge should the event generate enough interest to attract people willing to attend and purchase products and services associated with it.
“At local level, we understood the SA Open would help to create a ‘virtuous cycle’, in which sports-related services are provided, creating jobs and opportunities to upgrade skills and produce further services and products – a positive spill-over for locals.
“Such events are a fertile ground for the growth of sports tourism.
If, however, local economic opportunities are to be made through sports tourism, local responses to building local economic development have proven to be most effective in creating lasting and sustainable opportunities for local people.
“Hosting the Open in Ekurhuleni has also helped to develop the talent of golfers in previously disadvantaged areas, as golf in the past has been stigmatised as a sport for the elite only – a myth that needed urgent intervention.”
The mayor added that, four years later, since first hosting the Open, Ekurhuleni has seen great change in its fortunes.
“We have now established the Gaven Levenson Golf Academy with the European Tour and several small businesses have benefited from us hosting the tournament, while a number of youngsters have taken up the sport of golf,” he said.
”These youngsters have gone on to rub shoulders with the professionals through the coaching clinics and the ProAm.
“We are also excited by the fact that 25 per cent of the gate takings continue to be donated to local charities.
”In 2013 we invested an amount of R13.5-million in the SA Open, and the return on investment was a staggering R258-m – a ratio of 19:1.
“It is also great that Ernie Els is involved in the 104th edition of the SA Open; we could not have asked for a better and more suitable ambassador and player host than the ‘Big Easy’ himself.
“Ernie is a local talent who has become a legend in the sport of golf throughout the world; this gentle giant commands the respect of all the peoples of the world, regardless of age, gender or race.
“His involvement with the organisation of the SA Open, which is hosted by his home city of Ekurhuleni signals a new beginning for the competition.
“A former two-times winner of the SA Open himself, there is no doubt that Ernie’s involvement can mean only an even better future for this legendary Open.”
The mayor stated that Ekurhuleni will continue to play its part to develop world-class infrastructure that will result in the mass participation of its residents in competitive sport, through various programmes of action.
“This approach will ensure that sport codes are developed to produce not only champions, but healthy and fit residents,” he said.
