Dimension Data gives ladies 450,000 reasons to smile

Dimension Data has announced a significant prize money hike for the 2016 Sunshine Ladies Tour Dimension Data Challenge, teeing off in George on Friday, 19 February.

“For the third year running, Dimension Data has raised the stakes in the overall prize money on offer for the ladies,” announced Sunshine Ladies Tour tournament director Pauli van Meersbergen.

“This year, the players will be competing for a purse of R350 000, with the Betterball Competition also receiving a momentous boost with prize money of R100 000.

“This marks a jump of R150 000 from the initial purse and an additional R75,000 for the leading 10 professionals in the Betterball competition.

“Not only do the increases take the overall purse of the 2016 Sunshine Ladies Tour to R2.9-million, but it will have a significant impact on the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies.”

The winning lady at Fancourt on Sunday will bank a cheque for R49 000 and receive 560 points in the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies race.

Dimension Data Chairman Jeremy Ord said the company is proud of its association with both the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour.

“We have enjoyed a strong partnership with the Sunshine Tour for 21 years through the Dimension Data Pro-Am and were proud to extend that relationship to the Sunshine Ladies Tour in 2014,” Ord said.

“We are very passionate about golf, the development of our local players and our role in growing the sport in South Africa. It is really fantastic to see how the Sunshine Ladies Tour has taken off and how well supported it is by our country’s top players.

“The 2015 Sunshine Ladies Tour Dimension Data Challenge was a fantastic experience for spectators and competitors alike. We feel it’s fitting to increase our investment in the future growth of the Ladies Tour as the Dimension Data Pro-Am celebrates its 21st anniversary.”

Defending champion Stacy Bregman and 2014 champion Monique Smit welcomed the raised stakes.

“The increased prize money will definitely heighten the status of this event, and I believe it goes a long way in supporting the growth of the Sunshine Ladies Tour as a whole,” Bregman said.

Smit added: “With just two events after the Sunshine Ladies Tour Dimension Data Challenge, the points on offer in the Chase to the Investec Cup could be a game changer for the girls who are currently outside the top 10.

“This is definitely going to push everyone in the field to bring their A-game to George this week.”

And the news has South Africa’s top golf export Lee-Anne Pace on high alert.

The Paarl golfer will need to be on top form in the 54-hole championship to protect her number one ranking in the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies.

Ladies Tshwane Open champion Smit is just 230 points behind Pace.

Rebecca Hudson from England, who won the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies at Houghton, lurks 378 points back, while rookie Carrie Park and Bregman are also within striking distance.

Park needs 343 points to catch Pace and Bregman needs 476 to overhaul the number one.

“The big goal for everyone is to make the top 10 in the standings to qualify for the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies Final,” Pace said.

Pace is relishing the tussle for glory

“I flourish under pressure, so I am really looking forward to this year’s Sunshine Ladies Tour Dimension Data Challenge. Looking at the current form of players like Monique, Becks, Melissa (Eaton), Stacy and Carrie, I think we are in for a very tightly-fought battle.”

PHOTO – Sunshine Ladies Tour Dimension Data Challenge defending champion Stacy Bregman; credit Sunshine Ladies Tour.

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