:: Tour Blog 08
15 December, Tradition Keeping Me Green
You may remember that at end of last year one of my sponsors, Tradition, decided to congratulate me for winning the 2007 European Order of Merit by pledging to offset all carbon emissions generated by me and my team’s professional travel in 2008. The carbon emissions were offset by purchasing CERs (Certified Emissions Reductions) from a specifically sourced project in Stutterheim, near East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The project involved the construction of a factory that will produce bio mass bricks (clean burning bricks) intended to replace traditional coal in local industries and public institutions. The bricks will be manufactured using wood-chip waste, which would otherwise rot and emit methane gas into the atmosphere. Replacing traditional coal in local industries will also eliminate the burning of fossil fuels.
In addition, the factory will create jobs and self-employment opportunities for 20 families, in an area where communities suffer from an 80% unemployment rate. The project is registered with the United Nations under the Kyoto Protocol to ensure that the emissions reductions are of a high international standard.
Well, today I went to the factory where the bio mass bricks are made and I have to say I was very impressed. I was keen to use a project in South Africa as this is the country of my birth and I am extremely pleased that Tradition were able to help me in my ongoing commitment to the environment.
To see pictures of my visit, go to the Off Course Gallery
Justin
9 December, Nedbank Golf Challenge
The Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City really is a reward for being at the top end of the world rankings. The event is so much as the course is superb the crowds are huge and the weather is great. After all it is called Sun City! As there are only 12 players playing it is a great opportunity to win a tournament at the end of the year although Henrik Stenson shattered those hopes by whipping the rest of us!
My rounds of 73, 73, 72 and 72 certainly were consistent but not good enough to really ever challenge. I got off to a strong start but a triple bogey at the 8th kind of ruined the week as I never really recovered and hovered around +2 the whole week. This was mainly because I battled to hole a putt. I virtually didn't make a birdie other than the par 5's! This makes progress slow. So my focus on my week off before the South African Open will be my putting and developing some confidence. The rest of the game is in reasonable shape.
I'm staying down in South Africa during the week off visiting family especially my Gran who recently lost her husband. I always enjoy playing down here in South Africa and it would be great to steal a title before the end of the year! Keep watching! Thanks, Justin
