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Senior stars set for Sun City

Sun City - Adding to what is guaranteed to be a very special 30th Nedbank Golf Challenge, the African Continent’s premier golf tournament will also feature a senior event to be contested by eight of the game’s most recognisable over-50 champions.

The Nedbank Senior Golf Challenge has attracted an impressive line-up including multiple Nedbank Golf Challenge champions Nick Price and David Frost, as well as previous winners Corey Pavin, Mark McNulty and Fulton Allem. Adding lustre to this tournament will be Americans Jay Haas, Fred Funk and Tommy Armour III.

“We see this addition to the programme as something that the crowds are sure to enjoy, and while the main focus will obviously be on the traditional tournament, the senior event is sure to attract a lot of attention,” says tournament director Alastair Roper.

There has been increased interest in senior events in recent years, particularly those played on the Champions Tour, and the standard of golf seen on that Tour continues to rise. It is agreed that the depth and quality of player now competing is comparable to that seen the PGA and European Tours.

“When the Senior Tour first began, many of the legends that competed had been retired for some time, and in fairness, the quality of golf cannot compare to what we have seen on the Champions Tour over the last few seasons. The 40-something players are winning regularly, they are fitter and stronger than ever before, and all of the eight players in this field have remained competitive on their respective Tours before qualifying for senior status. We can expect to see some excellent golf from these champions, all of whom look forward to doing battle on a course with which they are familiar,” added Roper.

The seniors will tee off ahead of the 12-man field, also playing in pairs, and by 10:10, when the first of the senior pairings tee off, the first fairway is sure to be lined with appreciative spectators.

“Judging by attendance figures on the Champions Tour, which matches those seen at PGA Tour events, it is obvious that golf fans love watching these icons of the game in competition, and you can be sure that they will all be determined to win,” says Roper. “I’m am confident that the mix of players we invited to take part in this unique event will make for a great spectacle – and besides their impressive records of the past, every one of the eight players will arrive in Sun City after successful 2010 seasons.”

A replica trophy of the Nedbank Golf Challenge will be presented to the senior champion, and although the over-50s will play a slightly shortened course, the tournament pin positions and the narrow fairways are sure to bring out the best in this elite group of senior champions.

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