30 MAY - 2 JUNE 2024
2023 RESULTS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SCORE CAPTURE
"Again...Just wow!! Thank you to all involved for an UNBELIEVABLY awesome and momentous weekend! World Class!"
- Bryan Habana
2023 TEAM SCORES
96
93
South African sports legends gracing the stage at the Shootout.
Schalk Brits and his partner Bryan Habana during the Absa SuperSkills competition.
Thomas Mlambo making his mark at the Shootout.
20 YEARS IN THE MAKING
When the Supersport Shootout sprung to life at the Champagne Sports Resort in 2004, founder Kevin Curren could surely not have envisaged how the tournament would evolve and grow over the next two decades.
But in 2023 it returned to its province of origin, KwaZulu-Natal and, in Zimbali Estate, to a venue that had previously hosted the event. A key element of the event since BCX came on board as a co-title sponsor has been the Ryder Cup-style team competition between Team BCX and Team Supersport and, after a nail-biting draw at the 19th tournament at Fancourt in 2022, both captains were eager to take the spoils at the 20thanniversary event.
As the title ‘Tournament of Champions’ suggests, Friday saw the arrival of some legends of South African sport past and present as well as some of the country’s top business leaders at the Capital Hotel at Zimbali. An astonishing eight former Springbok captains were in attendance for the 20th anniversary.
It was perhaps the presence of these greats of the game that prompted the team captains – Jonas Bogoshi of Team BCX and Marc Jury of Team Supersport – to appoint vice-captains to their teams at the Friday evening welcome and flag-raising ceremony. Francois Pienaar and Schalk Brits were appointed to Team BCX and John Smit and Jean de Villiers to Team Supersport as they banter between the leadership teams set the tone for a weekend of competitive fun.
The two round event – incorporating as usual the team competition as well as an individual medal and better-ball medal competition – got underway in near perfect conditions around the Tom Weiskopf designed championship golf course at Zimbali on the Saturday morning, with Team Supersport making an early run, but Team BCX steadying their ship to come back strongly and only be five points adrift at the end of day one.
ABSA had very kindly sponsored prizes for the longest drive and nearest the pin on day one, which were won by Bongi Mokaba and Piet Mouton respectively. Supersport Bet had also put up R10 000 of value into a Supersport Bet account for the overnight leaders in the individual and better-ball medal competitions. Selwyn Nathan led the individual competition after a stunning round of 8-under par 64 nett, while he and his partner Bongi Mokaba led the better-ball on 10-under par.
They all received their prizes at the gala dinner evening, hosted by Supersport’ Matt Pearce – at his 19th of 20 Shootout events – and Motshidisi Mohono who, fresh off hosting coverage of the Rugby World Cup final in Paris, was attending her first BCX Supersport Shootout.
Generosity flowed in the room as the players looked to build on the more than R30 million that has been raised for deserving charities over the tournament’s duration. The beneficiaries from the 2023 event were LIV Village, Gift of the Givers and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, in which Shootout regular Moss Ngoasheng has had such a profound influence.
Dave Usendorff did his usual sterling job as the event’s ‘resident’ auctioneer, with some wonderful unique pieces on offer, including two artworks by former wicketkeeper Richie Ryall. Sponsors then dug deep and challenged each other to match their donations, while individual players were also generous with their pledges, leading to an amount in excess of R1.5 million being raised.
Day two was a little more blustery on the golf course, creating challenging conditions for the overnight leaders and those trying to chase them down. Consistency would win the day however, with former Sharks and Springbok Charl McLeod, playing in his first ever Shootout, remaining steady to post a two round score of 8-under par nett for the two rounds, good enough to take the individual title.
The better-ball medal competition was incredibly tight with four pairings finishing tied on 14-under par. A count back ensued and Sanah Gumede and Michal Kotze were declared the winners. And speaking of tight finishes, it looked at one stage as though we were heading for another tie in the team competition before Team Supersport clinched some crucial late points to take the team trophy by 96 points to 93.
While the competition was intense at times, the overwhelming feeling of the weekend was one of reflection and celebration of 20 incredible years of the BCX Supersport Shootout, friendships rekindled and stories told, players treated and celebrated. But most importantly, the coming together of some of South Africa’s finest leaders in business and sport to help raise awareness and funding for some richly deserving causes.
After two decades, the flame of the BCX Supersport Shootout continues to burn brightly. Here’s to 20 more…