The opening was attended by numerous golfing legends, and was followed by the 6th Southern Africa Golf Hall of Fame Induction where Gary Player was inducted as part of the Class of 2009, whilst the Class of 2014 was inducted, headed by Fulton Allem, with Sol Kerzner receiving the Harry Brews award for his contribution to golf.
The following day, Wednesday, 3 June, the Trust hosted an exclusive Golf Hall of Fame Tournament, which included the Deputy Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa, and the likes of Hugh Baiocchi, Fulton Allem, John Fourie, John Bland, Dale Hayes, Denis Hutchinson, and a host a professionals, springboks, and leading business identities.
The project tells the story of the heritage of golf in Southern Africa, consolidates memorabilia, acknowledges those who have contributed to the rich history of golf in Southern Africa, retains the legacy for future generations, and both demystifies and expounds on the game of golf.
The Mercedes-Benz Southern African Golf Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre will showcase the heritage of South African golf to 24 million annual visitors. The heritage centre included, inter alia, a Hall of Fame, Major winners, and the lost history of the non-European tour. It also showcases woman's golf, a magnificent research library, amongst the finest exhibition of golf clubs and balls dating back to 1850, memorabilia, trophies, amateur, junior and professional international triumphs, and many other subsets and artifacts which tell the story of golf in this part of the world.
"This heritage museum will be of interest to young and old, golfer and non-golfer," stated trustee, Barry Cohen.
"As proud sponsors of the South African Golf Museum, Mercedes-Benz is delighted to be associated with this project, which further leverages Mercedes-Benz's involvement in golf, and more particularly in retaining the heritage whilst growing the game," says Selvin Govender, Marketing Director Mercedes-Benz Cars.
