Teeing off for a better world: 30 years of the NTT DATA Pro-Am

When the sun rises over the picturesque Montagu, Outeniqua and The Links golf courses at Fancourt in South Africa’s Western Cape province this February, excitement for the 30th annual NTT DATA Pro-Am will be palpable.

Once again, we’ve invited 200 amateur players — 156 men and 44 women — all of whom are C-suite executives and decision-makers drawn from NTT DATA’s blue-chip client base. They will tee off with some of the best professional golfers in South Africa and Europe.

Because we’re marking three decades of the prestigious four-day tournament this year, we’re also reflecting on how we got here and the impact we’ve made along the way.

Since its start in 1996 at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, the Pro-Am has grown in stature and significance. It moved to Fancourt in 2010, and the Ladies’ Pro-Am was introduced in 2014. More recently, the rebranding of Dimension Data to NTT DATA ushered in a new chapter as we embraced our global identity and a renewed focus on innovation and sustainability.

The 30th annual NTT DATA Pro-Am is a celebration of this journey, the power of partnerships and a promising future built on NTT DATA’s expertise.

Making strides to level the playing field for women golfers

As the NTT DATA Pro-Am evolves, some progress has been made toward leveling the playing field for women in golf.

The introduction of the NTT DATA Ladies’ Pro-Am created a platform for women golfers to showcase their talent. In 2020, the Ladies European Tour cosanctioned the event, further elevating its status and offering more opportunities for women to compete at the highest level.

Standard Bank, a key partner on this journey, has invested significantly in the professional prize fund for the NTT DATA Ladies’ Pro-Am. Their investment goes beyond just the prize money; it’s also a vote of confidence in the talent and dedication of women players.

How we help schoolchildren (and rhinos)

NTT DATA believes that technology can be a powerful force for good. This commitment is seen in our Solar Backpack Initiative, a sustainability project that’s had a profound impact on the lives of schoolchildren in South Africa.

We sponsor Chedza solar backpacks, manufactured by Ked-Liphi, that are equipped with solar panels which charge while children walk to and from school. These backpacks include an LED lamp for studying in the dark and a power bank to charge small devices like smartphones or tablets.

The initiative supports our global sustainability goal of providing five million young people and children from underresourced areas with digital access and education opportunities by 2030.

Our solar-backpack drive will be a focal point at this year’s Pro-Am tournament, where we aim to raise funds through a range of events to help us distribute these backpacks to more schools in rural areas and townships.

Watch how our solar backpacks are changing schoolchildren’s lives

We’re once again also supporting the Birdies 4 Rhinos initiative, which raises funds for rhino conservation based on the number of birdies scored each day of the tournament.

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Celebrating the contributions of our partners

The NTT DATA Pro-Am would not succeed without the unwavering support of our partners, each of whom plays a crucial role in making the event a reality.

On top of their support for the professional prize funds for both the NTT DATA Men’s Pro-Am and NTT DATA Ladies’ Pro-Am, Standard Bank sponsors the 19th Hole Action bar, contributing to the event’s vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

Palo Alto Networks is sponsoring the Thursday-evening dinner, the Friday-evening talent show comes courtesy of DFA, and Cisco is partnering with us to make the Saturday-night gala dinner one to remember.

Our other partners include Coca-Cola, whose marquee and viewing deck offer a comfortable space for spectators to enjoy the tournament, and Pringle, the official apparel provider, who will help both the professional and amateur players look their best on the course.

Europcar and Mercedes-Benz provide courtesy vehicles; Amazon Web Services is responsible for the electronic scoreboard; and SAB, Stella Artois and Boschendal are the official beer and wine providers.

These valued partnerships are a testament to the collaborative spirit that has come to define the NTT DATA Pro-Am.

Today’s achievements with an eye on tomorrow

“Ignite tomorrow, today.” is not just an NTT DATA slogan but also the guiding principle of our actions and initiatives. The Pro-Am is a platform for making connections, building partnerships and exploring opportunities to foster sustainable change.

We aim to inspire fans and players alike with the positive impact we have made on the golfing community, and we look forward to continuing our journey fired up by the sense of purpose that has come to define the NTT DATA Pro-Am.

Join us to celebrate 30 years of the tournament and change our communities for the better.

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