Last year, a cr`eche received 10 kick bikes, a school was given 10 bicycles and helmets, primary school prefects served meals at a soup kitchen, dozens of children had fun at a soccer day, 24 primary school learners attended a leadership academy, and a Christmas party brightened up the day at an after-care centre - all because a group of men and women did what they thoroughly enjoy: they played golf.
This year marks the third Synergy-organised Elna Britz Memorial Golf Day, giving businessmen and women an opportunity to shed some stress, network, and raise funds for Foundation Backbone - a charity that supports organisations involved with children in need.
"We are keen to make the 2014 event a spectacular success. In the past two years, our golf day made a sizeable contribution to Foundation Backbone. This year, we want to double our contribution so that the foundation can double its impact," said Synergy MD, Christo Bredenkamp.
Bredenkamp said Synergy instituted the annual golf day in memory of a much-loved colleague, Elna Britz, who died in a car accident on her way to a company year-end function in 2011.
"Elna was an integral part of our team. A woman whose compassion touched the lives of many. We knew at the time that we could pay tribute to her in many ways, and one of those ways was to launch a charity golf day.
"Elna understood and celebrated the value and joy of involving others to reach a common goal, so we figured an annual golf day would give participants the chance to have fun - which Elna was exceptionally good at - and, at the same time, raise funds to do others good, which Elna was passionate about."
This year, participants will return to Cape Town's number four course, the picturesque De Zalza, where fourballs can play one of the city's jewels, enjoy an appetising halfway lunch and a buffet dinner, and vie to take home one of the many great prizes up for grabs.
"We are committed to this annual event," said Bredenkamp. "Not only to honour the memory of a wonderful colleague, but also because we keep track of the difference Foundation Backbone volunteers are making in the lives of children, especially the children at Hermes Primary School, in Atlantis."
The foundation is volunteer-run and was founded in 2008 with a vision to be part of the backbone - not the wishbone - of the world around them. It describes itself as supporting organisations involved with children in need, while adding some fun to the youngsters' lives. This takes the form of events, trips and an annual camp. Foundation Backbone is registered as a Section 21 company and as a public benefit organisation.
"Of course, no golf day can succeed without players or sponsors. Players have obvious perks - they get to do what they enjoy - while sponsors have a few added benefits," said Bredenkamp.
These added benefits include:
* Inclusion in all pre-event electronic correspondence with the sponsor's company logo embedded in all documentation.
* Sponsors' company logos will be linked back to their official company Web site.
* Branding via pull-up and feather and/or A-frame banners in and around the clubhouse.
* The right to provide company-branded promotional items to be handed out at the event.
* A branded hole on the golf course that can also be used by company staff to promote their products and services.
*Opportunity to provide prizes for the event.
Fourballs cost R3 500 and sponsorship starts at R1 200.
"It's a win-win for all involved," said Bredenkamp. "We have a fun day, with great prizes and many opportunities to network, while Foundation Backbone gets the funds it so desperately needs to continue the excellent work its volunteers are doing."
The event is being managed by Golfbizniz's Riaan Myburgh, who can be called (021 975 5358 or 083 628 7395), or e-mailed (riaan@golfbizniz.co.za), for further information or bookings. For sponsorship information, please contact Priscilla.doig@synergy.co.za.
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