Rakes & Cues for Charity

Professional golfer Adilson da Silva is one of the most consistent putters on the Sunshine Tour. When he has a putter in his hands. But at San Lameer Country Club this week, he took part in a putting competition for charity using a bunker rake, surf ski paddle and even a pool cue.

Da Silva joined former women’s professional Nicola Eaton as well as amateurs Dion Scoulelis and Lynette Magasa in the Vodacom Origins of Golf Charity Putt at San Lameer on Wednesday.

The Vodacom Origins of Golf is the biggest series of professional tournaments on the Sunshine Tour, and it features a two-day pro-am before the main professional event. The birdies made by the professionals and amateurs over the two days results in a cash donation to charity by Vodacom. The charity theme for the series this year is gender-based violence, and the official charities are MEMEZA, a crime prevention and women empowerment initiative focused on Community Policing to safeguard women and families in vulnerable areas; and Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA).

The pro-am raised R70 800 for the charities. But then the four golfers added another R45 000 through their unique Charity Putt for a total of R115 800.

The golfers were given a four-hole course on the putting green. Divided into teams of men versus women, they then had to play each hole with a different instrument, starting with a putter at the first followed by a bunker rake, surf ski paddle and finally pool cue. The team with the least putts won. After four holes they were tied, forcing a playoff, which the women won.

“It was a lot of fun to be a part of, and also great that we could raise money for charity in Women’s Month,” said Eaton.

PHOTO 1: Former women’s professional Nicola Eaton putts with a bunker rake while her amateur partner, Lynette Magasa (right), as well as Dion Scoulelis (far left) and Sunshine Tour professional Adilson da Silva watch. The four golfers took part in the Vodacom Origins of Golf Charity Putt at San Lameer Country Club this week to help raise R115 800 for support of charities against gender-based violence. Credit: Heinrich Helmbold.

Written by Michael Vlismas