South African golfers have amassed many milestones over the decades. But this year, the country’s unheralded amateur golfers from Magersfontein to Klerksdorp and Hartswater to Koffiefontein are being celebrated as heroes in their own right.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership between the Sanlam Cancer Challenge amateur golf competition and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
Annually, the Sanlam Cancer Challenge and the funds raised help support roughly 14 933 people affected by cancer.
Since 1993, amateur golfers around South Africa have played in their own club competitions and then regional competitions in order to qualify for the annual Sanlam Cancer Challenge National Final, which was first played at San Lameer Golf Estate, and which is now hosted at Sun City.
The hundreds of club competitions nationwide raise valuable funds for CANSA, and the Sanlam Cancer Challenge has over 25 years played a key role in various areas of support for the organisation.
The competition’s annual fundraising effort – which regularly exceeds the R3-million mark – contributes more than 10% of CANSA’s annual budget. The money raised is vital in the funding of 11 CANSA Care Homes, 5 TLC Facilities and 9 Mobile Clinics.
According to statistics compiled by CANSA, the support of South African golfers to this cause over the last 25 years has helped CANSA support 6 815 patients, and helped to provide medical loan equipment to 6 646 patients.
The competition’s funds also help support an average of 1 660 patient visits per month, and for the annual training of 2 329 care and support volunteers.
The Sanlam Cancer Challenge has also been a key driver of awareness around cancer.
In 25 years, the competition has helped to take the message of the value of healthy lifestyles and preventative screenings to over 875 000 golfers and more than 400 golf clubs.
A total of 8% of CANSA’s national cancer screenings take place directly at Sanlam Cancer Challenge events.
And the tournament has provided a valuable footprint over the years that has allowed for 369 712 pamphlets and 9 960 posters creating awareness around cancer to be distributed to the South African golf community.
“We are very proud of the partnership we have had with CANSA and the difference this has made in the ongoing battle against this disease,” said Sanlam Sponsorship Manager Gary van Loggerenberg.
“From that first competition 25 years ago to what we have today, every South African golfer who has supported this event can also be extremely proud of the role he or she has played to ensure its success and make a real difference.”
As one of the longest running partnerships in the history of South African sport, the Sanlam Cancer Challenge is also one of South African golf’s greatest success stories.
For more information go to www.sanlamcancerchallenge.co.za
