Absa Bank Seychelles Limited and the Seychelles Golf Federation (SGF) signed a sponsorship agreement this weekend that will enable the SGF, through a National Order of Merit programme, to finance national golf competitions as well as international competitions, effectively allowing Seychellois golfers to build up enough points to eventually become professional athletes.

“As Absa Seychelles, we are proud to yet again, be part of such a monumental step towards taking our local golfers to the next level,” said Retail Banking Director, Fabiola Horner while speaking at the event.

“This Absa Mug tournament will not only help spotlight the best players for the month, but also give us an opportunity to partner with the Seychelles Golf Federation to bring possibilities of expansion and growth for many of our local golfers. Over the past 47 years, we have worked with the Seychelles Golf Federation to increasingly grow the profile of the Monthly Mug and prestigious McQueen tournaments, transforming them into a great asset, not only for the golfing community but also for the country,” said Mrs Horner.

“Today, the Absa Golf competitions are one of the biggest golfing events in Seychelles and has contributed immensely to the promotion of golf within the country – and very soon – internationally too,” she concluded.

Speaking at the ceremony, Michael Lavigne, Chairman of the Seychelles Golf Federation said that the Federation was determined to find a headline sponsor to enable them to run comprehensive tournament programs as well as a national order of merit which would help the Federation select players from across the country for international tournaments.

“It is a pleasure to announce that Absa Seychelles has agreed to come on board as the main sponsor for the Seychelles Golf Federation,” he said.

After the agreement signed today, Absa Seychelles will take a more prominent role during the execution of all SGF tournaments including the traditional Absa Mug competition.

“All these tournaments will be amalgamated into the national order of merit and Absa’s presence will also be seen on the apparel of players representing Seychelles in  September 2022, when a team of four golfers will compete in the All Africa Teams Tournament in Egypt,” he concluded.

The signing took place on Saturday 27 August at the Seychelles Golf Course as a prelude to the much anticipated Absa Monthly Mug Golf Tournament. 

The Monthly Mug, an intense competition with over 25 golfers battling it out to claim the trophy. This usually culminates into the final McQueen Medal, sponsored by Absa Bank Seychelles, at the end of the year that will pit the 12 Absa Monthly Mug winners from the preceding 12 months against one another to see who the ultimate champion will be.

The event has a loyal following of players, bringing together both the younger and older generation with players ranging from 15 years old up to the oldest player at 80 years old, and both are frequent competition winners.

This month’s competition awarded the Absa Mug to Darren Roberts with a 63 nett.

This was followed by Caroline Bradley in second place with a 66 nett and Michele Risoli in third place with a 67 nett. 

The winners from this tournament will then come together on the golf course with other winners from the monthly Absa Mug competitions to battle it out for the tournament’s finale – the Absa McQueen Medal. 

It’s worth noting that the McQueen’s medal golf competition is among one of the most anticipated tournaments in the country.

This golf sponsorship remains the longest running partnerships in any sport in the country and has been taking place since 1975. Absa Bank has remained a steadfast supporter of the event and has proudly continued this legacy stewarded by the organisation.