Eishmedia: GOLF: Bearing Man takes pro golf to new heights with BMG Classic

JOHANNESBURG, 7 October 2008 – As the 2008 Sunshine Tour season rolls towards an exciting Summer Swing, the Bearing Man Group revealed exciting changes in its bid to support professional golf in South Africa.

After 12 dedicated years of sponsorship at the Bearing Man Highveld Classic, the group have taken their backing to the next level and announced sponsorship of its own professional golf tournament on the Tour’s schedule.

Under the umbrella of the newly branded Bearing Man Group, the inaugural BMG Classic will be played at the Ebotse Golf & Country Estate in Benoni from 10-12 October 2008.

Preceding the Metmar Highveld Classic at Witbank Golf Club next week, the BMG Classic will offer prize money of R500,000, with a first place cheque worth R79,250.

Previous winners of the Bearing Man Highveld Classic, including Bradford Vaughn, Darren Fichardt, Dion Fourie and defending champion Marc Cayeux of Zimbabwe will be in the 144-man line-up for the BMG Classic, eager to be the first player to have their name inscribed on the new trophy.

Bearing Man has grown into a mould showing exponential growth, and integrated itself into a competitive market with a vision to expand and be a powerful force providing superior technical solutions to customers.

“The changes reflect and underpin our new corporate identity which will be revealed in September,” said Bearing Man CEO Charles Walters.

“As Africa’s largest specialist distributor of bearings, seals, power transmission components, electric and geared motors, belting, fasteners and filtration, Bearing Man now sports a bold new name and an exciting new logo and slogan.”

Players are also looking forward to their first professional outing at the much-anticipated Ebotse course – the R60-million links designed masterpiece by renowned golf architect, Peter Matkovich.

The course boasts spectacular features such as the 40-hectare lake and tee shots from heights of up to 25-metres. The course, measuring at 6,372-metres, has seven water holes and has been built to US PGA specifications with a par 72-rating.

“The Bearing Man Group has been a loyal sponsor on the Sunshine Tour’s schedule for the last 12 years and we are delighted that they have extended the partnership with their own event,” said Sunshine Tour CEO Grant Wilson.

“There was much speculation over where the Bearing Man Group would take their event after its enormously successful run at Witbank Golf Club. The course at Ebotse will unquestionably provide a stern examination for our professionals and we look forward to a wonderful week in Benoni.”