Welcome to the Second newsletter for the third World Schools Golf Challenge
to be held in Stellenbosch, South Africa, April 24-29, 2011.
We're delighted to report that since the first newsletter went out we have had entries from South Africa, Australia, Zimbabwe, England and New Zealand. On top of that we have been contacted by a lot of schools who have said - yes we're in - but as yet we haven't received an entry form from them.
The fact that the World Schools Golf Challenge is open to every high school without having to qualify or have a team or teams packed with single figure golfers is really starting to generate interest.
Everyone is welcome - so if you're interested in developing golf in your school read on.
The full details of the World Schools Golf Challenge are elsewhere on this website.
Roger Carroll
Tournament Director
WORLD SCHOOLS GOLF CHALLENGE
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
WHAT IS THE WORLD SCHOOLS GOLF CHALLENGE?
The World Schools Golf Challenge is a four round teams and individual strokeplay event played on four golf courses. With each team playing one round on each course.
The rounds are all morning shotgun starts and the players are mixed each day so they play with as many different people as possible.
The advantage of the shotgun start is that with everyone finishing around the same time, schools can do something each afternoon. There are a number of tours available and you can check them out through the Brothers Sport dedicated World Schools Golf Challenge web page.
The teams event is for Nett and Gross scores with the best three scores counting each day. The individual competitions are also Nett and Gross within handicap divisions. You can see who the previous winners were here>>
STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE.
Just 30 minutes from Cape Town, Stellenbosch was founded in 1697, by Governor Simon van der Stel making it the oldest town in South Africa and the second formal settlement created after the establishment of Cape Town in 1652.
Stellenbosch is the center of the South Africa's wine industry, and is also home to the world-renowned University of Stellenbosch, of whom the alumni are known as "Maties". Many national and international companies have their headquarters here.
Followers of golf will know the name Ernie Els the magnificent South African golfer who has won 3 of golf's majors. Els has a vineyard and a restaurant in Stellenbosch. The restaurant called "The Big Easy" is in the middle of Stellenbosch.
This beautiful part of South Africa is the ideal place to host the third World Schools Golf Challenge for the students, school staff and parents who accompany the teams.
HOST CLUBS
Four outstanding golf clubs have agreed to host the third World Schools Golf Challenge. They are De Zalze GC, Devonvale GC, Erinvale GC and Stellenbosch GC.
De Zalze G.C.
They are all championship courses that are eminently playable from the club tees by all levels of golfers. We can guarantee that after the World Schools Golf Challenge every golfer will remember these courses fondly.
TOURNAMENT ENTRIES
At the time of publishing this newsletter we have had written confirmation of entry from Auckland Boys' Grammar School (New Zealand), Henley High School (Adelaide, Aust.), High School Strand (Western Cape), Hilton College (KwaZulu Natal), St Anne's College (Hilton, KwaZulu Natal), St George's College (Harare, Zimbabwe), St Thomas Aquinas School (Witbank, Gauteng Province). 
The schools who have said they are in include Como Secondary College (Perth WA), Bethlehem College (Tauranga, New Zealand) Otago Boys' High (Dunedin, New Zealand), Millfield School (Street, Somerset), Westville Boys' High, (KwaZulu Natal), Otumoetai College (Tauranga, New Zealand) Sandown High School (Isle of Wight, Hampshire).
On top of these there are several other schools who have registered their interest but have yet to confirm an entry including schools from Canada, Thailand, New Zealand, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Australia.
We have also been advised by Ann Rycraft, National President, South African Junior Golf Foundation that they intend to enter the winner of their National High Schools event being held this September.
ACCOMMODATION
The touring schools who have already entered have booked themselves into the Protea Hotel Stellenbosch which will serve as the Tournament Headquarters.
The Protea overlooks De Zalze and is very handy to the other World Schools Golf Challenge golf courses.
To secure your accommodation at the Protea you need to contact Renette at Brothers Sport in Cape Town. There are other options for accommodation and you can see what Brothers have to offer here
PARENTS - If parents travelling with a school want to stay at accommodation separate to the teams there are a myriad of options beginning with Kleine Zalze Lodge, which is on the De Zalze G.C. property. Kleine Zalze is a working vineyard and has a restaurant that has won many prestigious awards, including the Eat Out Johnny Walker 'Restaurant of the Year 2006', Eat Out 'Service Excellence Award 2006', Eat Out 'Top 10 Restaurant' 2005 and 2006, Dine (Wine magazine) 'Top 10 Restaurant' in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and Best of Wine Capitals of the World South African Wine Tourism Restaurant of the Year 2006.
The stylishly decorated 47 rooms and suites of the lodge are set alongside the first fairway of the championship 'De Zalze Golf Course'. The clubhouse is just on the other side of the Blaauwklippen and within walking distance.
The rooms enjoy breathtaking views of the Stellenbosch Mountains and are surrounded by 120 hectares of vineyards. Guests can enjoy a full or continental breakfast overlooking the first green while being shaded by old oaks.
Accommodation is available in a variety of units: two bed roomed family suites, one bed roomed suites, superior rooms and standard rooms.
Although the lodge offers all the comforts associated with a four star facility, the rooms are available with kitchens or kitchenettes, complete with microwave, and cutlery and crockery for those who prefer to self-cater.
Once again, talk to Renette at Brothers Sport.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Schools travelling to South Africa will get the benefit of a very favourable exchange rate and should be pleasantly surprised at what they can get for their money.
Do some comparisons here>>
SAFETY
The Organisers are only too aware of the concerns regarding personal safety in South Africa.
We asked for comment from the South African Embassy and from our partners in South Africa regarding this issue.
The Embassy sent us a document they prepared for the recent FIFA World Cup which can be downloaded here.
We also received a very common sense response from Dave Hansen, CEO of De Zalze GC.
"... there is potential for crime everywhere in the world, including South Africa. We have loads of tourists through our busy seasons who visit the Winelands area and stay and play golf.
I believe that the school children will be fine. They will be monitored/managed all the time, and will be playing golf in secure environments. The hotel will also have sufficient security measures in place."
Common sense is definitely the key word. If you are not sure ask someone first.
REGISTRATION
Full details on the cost of entry per team, the players and supporters packages can be seen here>>
You can complete an entry form online here>> or download an entry form here and fax or mail it back.
Entry is limited to 80 teams. As we had 60 at Adelaide and with the reputation of the Challenge growing it will pay to get your entry in as soon as possible. Entries will be definitely limited to 80 teams and it will be a case of 1st teams entered being the teams that will take part.
For more details or any queries please do not hesitate to be in touch with Tournament Director:
Roger Carroll
World Schools Golf Challenge
Level 1, 250 Mahurangi East Rd
PO Box 78, Snells Beach 0942, New Zealand
Telephone: +64 9 425 5294
Facsimile: +64 9 425 6956
Email: roger@schoolsgolf.com