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GEORGE NEWS - Sporting legends, including South African cricket greats Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, West Indies cricket icon Brian Lara and former England football captain John Terry, will be among the international stars taking on one of golf’s biggest challenges when the $10 million Swing returns to Fancourt in George in December.
The high-stakes challenge, billed as the richest hole in golf, will take place at the 17th hole of Fancourt’s Montagu Course at 17:30 on Wednesday 9 December, ahead of the Icons Cup South Africa from 11 to 13 December.
The challenge will see sporting icons from South Africa and the rest of the world each attempt a single shot over a water hazard from more than 165 yards.
A hole-in-one will trigger an extraordinary $10 million jackpot, making it one of the most valuable single shots in sporting history.
The South African team will be led by golf legend Ernie Els and includes Kallis, De Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Schalk Burger, Schalk Brits, Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Shaun Pollock, Vernon Philander, Chris Morris, Akona Ndungane, Butch James, Jimmy Tau and Roland Schoeman.
The World team, captained by José María Olazábal, features Brian Lara, former Australian tennis world number one Ash Barty, former England cricket captain Sir James Anderson, rugby legends Christian Cullen and George Gregan, Indian cricket star Yuvraj Singh, Terry, and former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke.
More international names are expected to be announced.
A selection of wildcard participants, including digital content creators, celebrity guests, local Fancourt representatives and a young golfer from George, will also get an opportunity to take on the challenge.
Fans also stand a chance to win
The public will be able to share in the excitement through a free online competition.
Fans worldwide can visit the Icons Series website and vote for the player they believe will score a hole-in-one. Should their chosen player succeed, the $10 million prize will be divided equally between the player, the event’s official charity partners and one randomly selected fan who voted for that player.
Spectators attending the event at Fancourt will also have a chance to win a separate R100 000 prize by backing the nearest-the-pin contenders.
“The $10M Swing is designed to be an absolute show-stopper, a moment of pure sporting jeopardy, global scale and electric tension,” said Thomas Brookes, CEO and founder of the Icons Series.
He said the pressure of attempting a shot with $10 million at stake would make for unmissable sporting entertainment, whether watched live in George or by international audiences.
The challenge will be broadcast live on YouTube and through various international sports broadcasting partners.
The Icons Cup South Africa will follow from 11 to 13 December at The Links at Fancourt, where Team South Africa will face Team World in a three-day match-play golf tournament featuring some of the biggest names in international sport.
The event is expected to draw thousands of spectators to George, while international audiences will be able to follow the action through global broadcasts.
Fans can enter the free online competition and find ticket and hospitality information at www.icons-series.com.
International sporting icons, including South African cricket legends Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, are among the stars set to compete in the $10 million Swing at Fancourt in George this December. Photo: Supplied
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