Ernie Els will once again support South Africa’s amateur golfers as they get “hands-on” in the fight against cancer when the 2015 Sanlam Cancer Challenge tees off nationwide in March.
From March to July, South Africa’s biggest charitable sports event will feature hundreds of club competitions nationwide that are part of the annual drive to raise funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
After a series of club and provincial competitions, 100 golfers will qualify to attend the National Finals on the Gary Player Country Club and Lost City Golf Club at Sun City from October 19 to 20.
A record amount of more than R3.3 million was raised last year in an event that has a place in the South African Golf Hall of Fame and which counts Els as its patron. More than 35 000 golfers took part in the event.
This year there will be an even greater focus on early detection as the most effective means of treating cancer. CANSA statistics reveal that one in four South Africans will be affected by cancer. But one in three cancers can be beaten by early detection.
“This year we’re getting the message out there that early detection is one of the best ways to fight cancer,” said Gary van Loggerenberg, Sanlam Sponsorship Manager.
“So we want every golfer taking part to be aware of this. As they put on their golf gloves before teeing off, we want them to know this year’s Sanlam Cancer Challenge is about getting hands-on with this dreaded disease and raising our game in the fight against it.”
Now in its 23rd-year as the biggest fundraiser for CANSA, the Sanlam Cancer Challenge mobilises South African golfers around the common cause of raising funds for cancer research and treatment.
