The 2024 Sunshine Ladies Tour season kicked off with a remarkable event, the inaugural Absa Ladies Invitational at Serengeti Golf Estates in Kempton Park in Gauteng. This premier tournament marks the beginning of a significant partnership between Absa and the Sunshine Ladies Tour, aligning with Absa’s core values of diversity and inclusion.
Sanah Gumede, managing executive for strategy and customer value management at Absa relationship banking, expressed Absa’s commitment to promoting diversity in both corporate environments and sports.
“By sponsoring the Sunshine Ladies Tour, Absa strives to bridge the gender pay gap and provide more opportunities for women in golf,” she said.
Beyond the tournament, the bank’s support extends to a golf development programme designed to nurture young female players at all levels of expertise. The Absa Ladies Invitational attracted top players such as Lee-Anne Pace, Stacy Bregman, Zethu Myeki, Yolanda Duma and Casandra Alexander, along with accomplished past winners Nadia van der Westhuizen and Anne-Lise Caudal.
With nearly R20-million in prize money and live coverage on SuperSport, the Sunshine Ladies Tour provides a platform for South Africa’s elite female golfers to showcase their talent.
The tournament saw impressive performances from players such as Kiera Floyd, who led with a remarkable five-under-par 67 in the first round, and a strong showing from South African golfers, breaking the trend of overseas dominance.
The collaboration between Absa and the Sunshine Ladies Tour marks a significant milestone in promoting women’s golf and championing gender equality in the sport.
“This partnership not only elevates the status of women in golf but also paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for the sport. Absa’s support shines a light on the talent of female golfers, inspiring the next generation of players to follow their passion and excel on the course,” she added.
