Irish 15-handicapper Sinead Kenny in

winning four at Gary Player Invitational

FROM THE SUNSHINE TOUR WEBSITE
Irish businesswoman Sinead Kenny, pictured, enjoyed the most memorable moment of her golfing career when she finally claimed victory today in the 11th Gary Player Invitational, presented by Coca-Cola, at The Links at Fancourt Hotel, George on South African's renowned Garden Route at the southern Cape.
The Dublin-born 15-handicapper, a business property magnate and a regular competitor in this charity tournament - she is a member of the local golf club, finished second last year and vowed she would return to win it.
And on an overcast afternoon on The Links, Kenny combined with former football star Dwight Yorke and professionals Sergio Garcia and John Cook to win the four-ball alliance competition by three strokes on 27 under par.
“I think the difference this year was that I just had so much fun out there,” said Kenny. “Being with these ultimate professionals makes all the difference to your own game.”
Kenny was also delighted to hear that the tournament raised in excess of R5 million for charity through the participating business leaders, the live and silent auctions and various donations.
“As always it’s been such an amazing experience to be part of this. It’s a wonderful privilege to contribute to Gary’s charities,” added Kenny.
As her amateur partner, Yorke was equally thrilled to claim a victory on his debut in this event.
“I’m absolutely over the moon. These are things you dream of. I’ve played Premiership football and golf is now the next step in my career and the next challenge for me to master. So to have the opportunity to play with someone like Sergio Garcia and John Cook was fantastic.”
Kenny and Yorke had to fight off a strong charge from the team of Alex Maditsi, the Country Manager of Coca-Cola East and Central Africa, and his amateur partner DJ Thomas Msengama, who finished second on 24 under par.
“It was very exciting,” said Yorke. “My game wasn’t that great off the tee. But you can watch and learn so much from these pros. So I’ll go away knowing what I need to work on if I want to get close to these guys.”
In the professional better-ball competition, Garcia and Cook triumphed on a score of 14 under, winning by a single stroke over the team of Bertus Smit and Darren Fichardt.
“John really kept us together out there. When I was struggling he made all the necessary birdies,” said Garcia. As the tournament host, Gary Player expressed his thanks for the continued support of business leaders, celebrities and professional golfers in the cause to raise funds for underprivileged children.
“Thank you to everybody who has helped to make a change in so many young peoples’ lives. To raise R5 million in these tough economic times is a fantastic achievement,” he said.