HARARE - Zimbabwean golfer Ryan Cairns initiated a breast cancer awareness campaign at the BMG Classic that ended yesterday at Glendower Golf Club in South Africa.

Cairns together with South African golfers Dean Burmester, Mathew Carvell and Irvin Mazibuko all wore pink top and white bottoms from their sponsor Pringle of Scotland on the rain-affected second round on Saturday.   

The four golfers brightened the fairways at Glendower during round two of the BMG Classic.

Speaking on behalf of the players, Cairns said: “It is a great idea, it feels good and looks good. It is very cool to be able to bring awareness, and we are glad to have the opportunity to give something back.
And we definitely play better in pink!”

The wardrobe was however, not able to help inspire Cairns, who missed the cut for yesterday’s final round after he carded two-over 146 to finish on number 56.

Cairns shot a 73 in the first round and was not able to better that score when play finally resumed yesterday morning scoring another 73.

Saturday was an interesting day at Glendower as hailstones, some larger than golf balls, pelted the course at 2.30 pm, shortly after play was delayed due to a lightning risk. Tournament director Dirk Cloete said: “Firstly we suspended play due to a lightning risk. We were lucky enough to have all the players off the course when the hailstorm came in. The intensity of it surprised all of us. Once the storm had subsided it became apparent that the course was damaged, along with many cars in the parking lot.”

More than a dozen cars had their windows smashed, but it was the greens which took the brunt of the damage. Once the storm subsided Cloete assessed the damage and decided to attempt to repair the course.

A massive cleaning project was undertaken to clear up the course and to deal with damage to the greens.

Play finally resumed yesterday morning after the greenkeeper was satisfied with the condition of the greens after the repair work.

Glendower’s head greenkeeper Mike Burnard and his team set out to clear the course of plant debris. Many of the local caddies assisted. - SPORTS WRITER