Bagging birdies for nature

GOLF NEWS - The SANParks Honorary Rangers hosted its second annual golf day at Pezula Championship Course last Sunday, 13 November. Nearly 100 golfers took part.

The Honorary Rangers are the official fundraising arm of SANParks and the golf day has become their flagship fundraiser in the area in only its second year.

A total of 96 golfers took to the tees on a beautiful sunny Sunday and it was a fabulous day of great vibes and good golf.

The winning team of Andy Stringer and Pieter Odendaal won on 49 points - a notable achievement considering the breeze and the entertainment along the course. No less than 64 sponsors contributed to the success of the event with many offering a snack or a sip of something tasty along the way.

Beer, wine, champagne, cocktails and cold drinks - something for everyone. With banners flying high and all in aid of conserving our environment, everyone had great fun.

Vuyiswa Radebe, manager of the Garden Route National Park, spoke at the prize-giving and expressed her thanks to the Honorary Rangers, the work they do and how much the additional funds mean to SANParks.

Tracey Mills and Lee Varlee toasting to Birdies for Nature.

The funds are used for many needs and this year it included two rangers travelling to Hoedspruit to complete an intensive field ranger course over eight weeks.

They both spoke recently on how their lives have been changed due to this experience and their successful graduation.

Lucky draws, an auction and the prize-giving took place afterwards. Sabine Schukai, chairperson of the SANParks Honorary Rangers in the Knysna Lakes Region and organiser of the event, said that over R200 000 was raised on the day and this will help provide the extra items needed to ensure the ongoing conservation of the estuary, the forests and to help the community who live here.

The Honorary Rangers provided Bockwurst rolls and craft beer along the way.