Gayton McKenzie dodges what LIV Golf event will do for development of golf in SA
Following the announcement on Saturday that LIV Golf will be heading to South Africa in 2026, SA minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie could not give a definitive answer about what the hosting of the big-money event would do for the development of the game in the country. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
Following the announcement on Saturday that LIV Golf will be heading to South Africa in 2026, SA Minister of Sports Gayton McKenzie did not say what the event will do for the development of golf in the country.
The Saudi-funded tournament will be held at the exclusive Steyn City, in Johannesburg, from March 20 to 22 next year.
The event will have a strong home contingent representing the nation with Stingers GC featuring Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace.
LIV Golf events, as its name is derived from the Roman numerals for 54, have three 18-hole rounds and currently do not carry world rankings points for the tournaments.
McKenzie on Golf’s Elitist Perception and LIV’s Impact on SA Golf Development
With tickets well over R500 (30 US dollars per person), although children under 12 will have free entry, it’s difficult to see new fans attending the event.
When asked by IOL what the event will do for SA golf development, McKenzie dodged the question: “I think the uncomfortable truth about this great sport called golf is that it has not truly broken through to the poorest of the poor or the underprivileged in our country, and the masses of black people.
“Golf is still seen, unfortunately so, despite the hard work that the people that are involved, but they’ve not truly made it a sport for everyone. It is still seen as an elitist sport in a country of 60 million people.
“It’s an expensive sport. LIV wants, when they leave, to leave an impact behind.”
McKenzie though, said local artists would also feature in the entertainment at the events.
“We’re also going to have headliners, which we’ve discussed, which is still a surprise, but this is one of the biggest headliners in the world that will play and perform. That headliner will perform with local artists, which will also give local artists exposure.”