Programme Director,
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
All protocols observed.
On behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and the people of this province, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the countries which participated in this year’s edition of the 18th Amateur World Golf Championship, which was not only a runway success but which cemented the reputation of our province and our city of eThekwini as the much sought after golfing destination.
As we draw down the curtain to this year’s instalment of this tournament we do so with more than a sense of collective achievement, for this tournament has also proven once again that golf has become one of the powerful instruments to unite people from diverse backgrounds and from across the world.
Despite the intermittent showers which, at times, interfered with the flow of the game, we have no doubt that many of you had fun on the golf course as you strutted your stuff in what has become the biggest golfing event in the annual golfing calendar globally.
However, we are happy that the rain did not dampen your spirits. After all, in our African culture, when the heavens open it is an omen and a sign for great things to come.
This was evidenced by the fact that as we toasted the success of this tournament this week, we also announced that the Volvo Golf Championship, the European Tour’s very own ‘Tournament of Champions” is coming to Durban next year at the Durban Country Club which was also the venue for this tournament. This also proves that our province and our city of eThekwini are fast emerging as golfing destinations of choice in the world.
Programme Director, in any game characterised by competition it is expected that the intense rivalry should produce winners and losers. However, we believe all of us here are winners, for we have not only competed in the
spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood but we have once again demonstrated, through our actions the distinctive power of sports to act as a catalyst for forging friendships.
Programme Director, when you have achieved something as remarkable as this year’s edition of this tournament it is tempting to bask in the transient sun of your successes.
However, as we mark the end of the 18th World Amateur Golf Championship, we believe that the preparations for next year’s instalment should begin now. As all of us know, this year we had at least 30 countries participating. The challenge facing all of us is to ensure that we work doubly hard to ensure that come next year, this tournament attracts even more countries.
As you prepared to leave South Africa back to your respective destinations, we have no doubt that you will be leaving with fond memories about our country’s inimitable beauty and the hospitality of our people. We hope that you will come back next year to enjoy the splendour of our country, this time accompanied by your families.
We hope that you will not only talk about the spellbinding beauty of our country but also about the investment opportunities that are found in this country and the diverse tourism offerings that can rival the best in the world.
But, more importantly we also hope that you will spread the message that while you have seen some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, KwaZulu-Natal was a hidden jewel which, fittingly, had to be discovered lastly. We wish you a safe journey back home and hope that you will also be with us next year and that you will continue to be our ambassadors.
Once again, we wish to take this opportunity to thank the organisers and the patrons of the Amateur World Golf Championship for entrusting our province with the responsibility of hosting this tournament. If we have raised the bar this year, next year we promise that we will endeavour to do even better.
As we say, in isiZulu, Ndlelanhle, Goodbye.
I thank you!
