Fancourt announced that it has joined forces with South Africa's rising golf star Branden Grace, winner of the co-sanctioned Joburg Open, as well as the European Tours' Volvo Golf Champions, which took place at The Links last month (January 2012). 23-Year old Grace, who was born and bred in George, will represent Fancourt on the international golf circuit over the next five years, displaying the Fancourt logo on both his shirt and golf bag. When in South Africa, 'Amazing Grace', as he has been dubbed by the media, will live on the Fancourt estate, where he will have full access to arguably some of the best golf facilities in the world.
'I am thrilled with the Fancourt partnership. As a local boy from George, I know as well as anybody else, what a fabulous venue Fancourt is. It is here that my dream to be a golf professional was born, when at the age of 15, I was one of the first kids to be selected for the Fancourt Foundation, and now, as a player on the international circuit, I am very proud to be representing Fancourt and South Africa around the world', said Grace.
Branden Grace shot to global prominence and had a flying start to 2012 with back-to-back victories, when he claimed victory at both the recent Joburg Open and the prestigious Volvo Golf Champions. With a total prize fund in the region of R22 million, the Volvo Golf Champions featured only those players who won on the 2011 European Tour and who had 10 or more European Tour career wins. Grace competed at Fancourt, where the tournament was hosted at The Links for the first time, playing against other golf super stars who included South African major champions Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, together with golf legends and current International stars: Padraig Harrington, Jose Maria Olazabal, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn - to name but a few.
'Winning my maiden European Tour event in Joburg was special, but to then come down to Fancourt a week later and win again, especially in a play-off against Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, was beyond my wildest dreams. I will never forget that week and what it meant to me to win in front of my own people. I consider it an honour to be given the opportunity to represent Fancourt in this way,' added Grace.
Kerrin Titmas, CEO of Fancourt commented: 'Branden has always remained a true ambassador of Fancourt, so the decision to sponsor him for a 5 year period was an easy one. Dr Plattner is a big fan of Branden, and has keenly followed his career since his days at the Fancourt Foundation. We are delighted to have Branden as our local and international ambassador, and know that he will fly the Fancourt flag with pride.'
Situated within 613 hectares of lush countryside with magnificent vistas of the Outeniqua Mountains, Fancourt is located in the heart of South Africa's fabled Garden route, and is renowned for its world class golf courses, spa, hotels, wedding and conference facilities, as well as prestige real estate.
FANCOURT
