Amateur golfer Alwyn Joseph of Westville, Durban clinched the individual and fourball categories of the SUNCOAST round of the 2010 Duke of Edinburgh Cup round held at Durban Country Club on Monday, 19 April. The South African leg of this international golf tournament is sponsored by Tsogo Sun Gaming, whose properties contribute in excess of R700,000 to charities around the country. In this instance R45,000 was donated to SUNCOAST’s CSI partner, Vukukhanye Community Upliftment Initiatives, a Chesterville-based public benefit organisation. Joseph scooped the fourball category along with his father, brother-in-law and another player, Mr K Singh. He won a tailor-made seven wood and an Odyssey putter. He will join six other winners from the various rounds of the tournament to compete in the Montecasino shoot out at Pecanwood Golf and Country Club on 18 May 2010. The ultimate winner at Pecanwood will secure their place to play in the 2010 Duke of Edinburgh Cup Championship in the United Kingdom, with flights hotel accommodation and entry fees covered. (Left) Winner of the SUNCOAST leg of the 2010 Duke of Edinburgh Cup, Alwyn Joseph, seen with SUNCOAST's VIP Manager Adrienne Humfrey.

To date, rounds have taken place at Tsogo Sun Gaming’s casino and entertainment complexes nationally including SUNCOAST, Emnotweni, The Caledon and The Ridge, with Century Casino and Hemingways still to play.

Joseph, a married father of two toddlers, began playing golf little more than a year ago and has a handicap of 22.

“This was my first sponsored corporate tournament, so I am really ecstatic about my win. It was extremely exciting and surprising,” he said.

The owner of a construction firm, Joseph started out playing at his home course on the Bluff and this was only his third tournament. He boasts one previous victory in a recent club tournament.

“I’m nervous but excited about the upcoming Pecanwood shoot out, but I’m sure I have a good chance of making it through,” he said after his win.

The Duke of Edinburgh Golf Cup Tournament is South Africa’s most prestigious amateur golfing event.

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh Golf Cup was established to raise funds on behalf of International Golf for Youth Ltd, which supports youth development all over the world. Since its inception in 2000, this distinguished tournament has raised over 4 million dollars for selected beneficiaries. South Africa is one of ten countries around the world that has the privilege of hosting such a salient golfing cup tournament.

SUNCOAST’s partnership with Vukukhanye commenced at the beginning of 2009 and has included financial support and the investment of time and effort by SUNCOAST’s staff through the Touching Lives Project.

The R45,000 donation to Vukukhanye was an extension of the casino complex’s support to date, which has included monthly staff trips to provide assistance at Vukukhanye, the ‘Sport For All’ project involving 100 Chesterville children and the annual SUNCOAST Bursary Project for learners within Chesterville. (Left) Cheque hand-over of R45 000 from SUNCOAST's Executive Director Mr Mike Dowsley to Vukukhanye's CEO Anthony van der Meule