‘TRANSFORMING Fairways and Futures’
FNB Eswatini Chief Executive Officer Thokozani ‘TK’ Dlamini has announced a lucrative E2 million sponsorship for the FNB Golf Challenge to be played at Ezulwini Golf and Country club from August 7-9.
Dlamini revealed this during the official launch of the this year’s edition held at Ezulwini Golf and Country club yesterday morning, stating that as part of their year-long celebration it was exciting for them to bring back the challenge that had become one of the leading golf tournaments in Eswatini since its inception in 2022.
He highlighted their firm belief that sport was one of the best vehicles that could help the bank achieve shared growth targets.
“I am now happy to share that FNB Eswatini is committing E2 million towards the 2025 FNB Eswatini Golf Challenge. The winner of the challenge will receive E317 000 while the best placed liswati will take home E30 000. This package is a testament of our commitment to sport development and Eswatini at large. We remain committed to working together with His Majesty’s government and all stakeholders to help accelerate sustainable economic growth in our kingdom. We are equally excited and looking forward to partner towards the successful hosting of the annual King’s Cup Tournament.”
Dlamini further announced that three top Emaswati golfers would receive an incentive as motivation for good performance in the tournament.
“I am, therefore, excited to share that as part of this commitment, for the first time this year, we will recognise the top three Emaswati in the main tournament, who will share a prize of E60 000. The first prize winner will walk away with a whooping E30 000, second prize, E20 000 and lastly the third prize will get E10 000,” Dlamini said.
He then appreciated their long-standing partners Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate who had graciously hosted them over the past three years.
The FNB Eswatini Golf Challenge is an annual professional golf tournament that is part of the Sunshine Tour, a men’s golf tour based in Southern Africa. It has been hosted every year consecutively since the official launch in 2022, making this year’s challenge the fourth edition.
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The tournament is organised jointly by FNB Eswatini and the Sunshine Tour.
The first stage is the Pre-Qualifiers, which will take place from July 4-6. Open to both amateurs and professionals, the Pre-Qualifiers will determine 12 participants for the main tournament 10 professionals and two amateurs.
Then between August 5 and 6, the Client Day Pro Am is hosted, whereby FNB Eswatini clients participate and get a chance to network with professional golfers from around the globe. Each day of the Pro-Am, 120 players compete including FNB Eswatini clients, FNB Eswatini staff, sponsors, and other key stakeholders such as the media.
Prize giving ceremonies will be held at the end of both Pro-Am days on August 5-6 to reward the best performing players.The main tournament will be played between August 7- 9 where approximately 120 players from around the world will compete, inclusive of local golfers who will have qualified via the Pre-Qualifiers.
There will be a cut-off on Friday evening with only the top 50 players advancing to compete on Saturday.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader
