Empowering Women’s Golf: Standard Bank Pro-Am Series Returns for 2023, Fostering Talent Nationwide

• The highly anticipated Standard Bank Pro-Am Series returns in 2023, offering a platform for women golfers to showcase their talent across seven tournaments at premier golf clubs in South Africa. The series, which is intended to elevate women’s golf in the country, is set to commence with a 3-day event at Cotswold Downs Golf & Country Estate and culminate at the renowned Blair Atholl Golf course.
• Standard Bank, in association with Lifestyle Golf and the Women’s Professional Golf Association (WPGA), is not only sponsoring the Pro-Am Series but also supporting a golf development programme aimed at fostering young female talent. This initiative, which was launched in 2021, is expanding its reach with a new development area on the Gauteng West Rand, emphasizing the bank’s commitment to invest in the future of women’s golf and drive societal and economic development.
• The Pro-Am Series and its associated development programme are viewed as more than just golf initiatives. They are platforms for building connections, creating opportunities, and making golf more accessible to women of all ages. The ultimate goal is to provide local professional women golfers more playing time and opportunities to perform on the international arena, contributing to the growth of women’s golf in South Africa and the golf industry at large.

Johannesburg – Standard Bank, in association with Lifestyle Golf and the Women’s Professional Golf Association (WPGA) of South Africa, announces the return of the Standard Bank Pro-Am Series for 2023. The series showcases seven Pro-Am events, providing a platform for women golfers to compete for the grand prize at some of the country’s finest golf clubs.

The first event, a 1-day Pro-Am event followed by a 2-day pro tournament, will commence at the Cotswold Downs Golf & Country Estate in KZN from 29 -31 May. Cotswold Downs is renowned for its world-class golfing experience, with spectacular views, indigenous bush, and an 18-hole championship course designed by Peter Matkovich to USGA specifications​¹​​²​. The remaining tournaments will take place in the Eastern & Western Cape, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga provinces, culminating in a flagship event at the Blair Atholl Golf Course in Lanseria, a classic style course known for its beautifully balanced challenge that allows good scoring for the patient, precise player​.

The Pro-Am Series is designed with the intent of elevating women’s golf in South Africa. “Standard Bank is once again delighted to be sponsoring these prestigious events,” says Lindy-Lou Alexander, Head of Brand and Marketing, Consumer & HNW Clients at Standard Bank. The bank sees the growth of women’s golf as an opportunity to enrich people’s lives beyond banking. Its sponsorship is a testament to the commitment to provide support, services, and lifestyle experiences that go beyond a basic “transactional” relationship​.

Standard Bank’s commitment is not limited to sponsoring tournaments; they also support the Pro-Am golf development programme, which was launched in 2021 by Lifestyle Golf in association with the WPGA. The programme identifies, nurtures, and supports talented young women, offering them opportunities to develop life skills through golf. It includes fun activities, modified golf games, and golf instructional clinics facilitated by WPGA coaches​.

The 2023 development programme began in April and will run over three terms to accommodate the girls and their school calendars. The programme has expanded its reach, aiming to become a wide-reaching national programme, with development areas in the Eastern and Western Cape and Gauteng (Orange Farm and Serengeti), and a new golf development area launching in May 2023 on the Gauteng West Rand​.

The Pro-Am Series and the development programme are about more than just golf. They are about building the nation, connecting professionals with corporate companies, and making golf more accessible to women of all ages. They are about creating opportunities for local lady pros to gain playing time and the chance to perform on the international arena.

Jenny Havenga of Lifestyle Golf, Founder, and promoter of the series and golf development programme, expresses gratitude to Standard Bank for recognising their passion for the development of female golfers. The bank’s investment is integral in assisting them in their collective mission of making a difference and growing women’s golf​.

Kabelo Makeke, Standard Bank’s Head of Consumer & HNW Clients in SA, sees this initiative as a powerful platform for broadening access and exposure to the game of golf, benefiting societal and economic development. The bank, as one of Africa’s largest by assets, is proud to enable growth within the sport and give women and girls the opportunity to forge professional careers for themselves in the golf industry​.