Sense of togetherness saves Wild Coast Challenge from being cancelled

THE 2018 Wild Coast Challenge will tee off this morning, in spite of significant vandalism to six putting surfaces on the back nine of the popular Port Edward track over the weekend.

The damage was allegedly done by disgruntled community members, and carried out late on Saturday night, just days before the three-day tournament.

The event, a fixture on the Sunshine Tour schedule, provides employment for hundreds of locals during tournament week, ranging from caddies, spotters, and casual staff at the hotel and restaurants in the area.

Initially, there were fears that the tournament would have to be scrapped, given the severity of the damage to the most integral parts of the course.

However, a united front has been presented to the course and the event, and that wave of support has overwhelmed organisers.

“The reaction was incredible,” Sandi Burger, the public relations and promotions manager at the Wild Coast Sun resort explained.

“The phone has not stopped ringing since Sunday morning, from near and far. People have offered to fly or drive down to lend a hand, while so many local pros and green-keeping staff have simply rocked up, ready to help.”

That response saw to it that a very thorough repair job was carried out on the affected greens, and the course was able to retain most of its formidable mongrel. The contingency plans had included the possibility of playing the tournament on just the front nine, but the collective efforts of the last three days have seen to it that all 18 holes are ready for play.

“The biggest thing we can say is a massive thank you to the entire golf community,” Burger reiterated.

“Some courses and businesses offered to organise golf days to help raise funds to pay for the costs, and donate anything else we may need. It has been overwhelming to see how much this has affected people around our industry.”

That sense of togetherness has helped allay fears of the tournament being postponed or even cancelled, but there is still a fear of further attempts of sabotage. To this end, extra security has been added for the week, as organisers hope that the only headlines are made on the golf course from now.

The tournament itself has always provided drama, thanks to a treacherous, par70 layout, protected by some notorious winds and natural undulations.

The back nine is famed for its risk-andreward options, providing a fitting finale for those in pursuit of the title down the stretch.

Last year, winner Oliver Bekker notched a timely eagle three on the par-5 16th hole, and that helped him to a three-shot victory over Tyrone Ferreira, Ockie Strydom and Alex Haindl. The win came in the midst of a purple patch for Bekker, as it was his third title of the season.

A similarly aggressive mindset will be needed this week, and those players who can get at the course will be in the reckoning. The unknown will be the six greens that were affected in the build-up to the tournament.

The players got a feel for the course yesterday, in the pro-am, but that was played on the front nine holes only.

Those who can quickly get to grips with the pace that the back stretch provides will be in with a very good chance of landing a title that is always coveted by the players.