Michael Sheehan
Golfing legend Mark McNulty will be among an array of senior golfers gearing up for another tilt at the famed Humewood links when the Nelson Mandela Bay Classic is played in Gqeberha next week.
Part of the Sunshine Seniors Tour, the second edition of the event, sponsored by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, will take place from May 4-6, with pro-am rounds being played on Wednesday and Thursday, and the pros shooting it out for the title on Friday.
A total prize-fund of R500 000 will be up for grabs in the pro event.
Reigning champion Chris Williams and top senior golfer James Kingston have overseas commitments, but McNulty feels there will still be strong competition for this year's title.
"There will be some new boys on the block such as Keith Horne and statistics overseas have shown that the younger players who come onto these sorts of tours win most of the tournaments," said 69-year-old McNulty, a winner of 59 professional titles around the globe.
"I would imagine the same applies here, but I will be out there seeing what I can do. I must be honest, the days of heavy practicing for me are past and it's now a case of trying to practice smart and I will use Monday and Tuesday to get a feel for the greens.
Sunshine Senior Tour chief operations officer Neville Clarke said they were excited about returning to Nelson Mandela Bay for the second edition of the tournament.
"It is a great pleasure and honour for us to join the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Humewood Golf Club in hosting this prestigious tournament at the iconic links course."
"Adilson da Silva has unfortunately had to withdraw and I think Keith Horne and Doug McGuigan are now firm favourites, although Mark says he is hitting the ball very solidly," said Clarke.
"The likes of Andre Cruse, Neil Cheetham, Paul Marks, Kenneth Dube and Bobby Lincoln will also be in the mix." .
Former Sunshine Tour professional Titch Moore remains hugely popular in golfing circles in his 'old home town' and he will be making the trip from George to host a golfing clinic during the 2nd NMBClassic.
