Latest news with #PhilSimmons


The South African
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'The Germiston Giant' Phil Simmons dies
The Professional Golfers Association of South Africa (PGA of SA) has announced the passing of Phil Simmons, a beloved figure in South African golf and a PGA Master Professional. He was 71. Phil Simmons began his journey with the PGA in 1970, apprenticing under Graham Roebert at Pretoria Country Club. He became a Full PGA Professional in 1972 and went on to serve the game for over five decades, leaving a profound impact on everyone he encountered. 🏆 PGA National Championship Trophy Winner – 1989 & 1997 – 1989 & 1997 🏅 PGA Club Pro of the Year – 1998 – 1998 👨🏫 PGA Life Member – inducted in 2008 – inducted in 2008 🥇 PGA Master Professional – awarded in 2009, the Association's highest honour Germiston Golf Club (1972-2001) Fondly known as 'The Germiston Giant' , Simmons spent nearly 30 years shaping talent and community at this club Fondly known as , Simmons spent nearly 30 years shaping talent and community at this club Mount Edgecombe (2001-2015) Served as Golf Director , elevating the club's reputation and mentoring numerous young professionals Served as , elevating the club's reputation and mentoring numerous young professionals Randpark Golf Club (2016-2018) Returned to Gauteng and continued to share his wisdom and experience Returned to Gauteng and continued to share his wisdom and experience Gowrie Farm (2018-2023) Stayed active in the game until ill health brought his career to an end Phil Simmons wasn't just a golf professional – he was a mentor, leader, and pillar of the PGA. His service on the PGA National Board Committee and his unwavering passion for the game earned him the admiration and respect of countless players and colleagues. His influence reaches far beyond fairways and clubhouses, touching the lives of generations of golfers. Deepest sympathies go to his beloved wife Joanni, his children, grandchildren, and all his family and friends. The golfing world has lost a true legend. 'Rest in peace, Phil. Your legacy will live on in every swing, every lesson, and every life you shaped' – Your PGA of South Africa Family Post your condolences below by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


Khaleej Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Fit Mehidy gives Bangladesh selection 'headache' for Sri Lanka Test
Bangladesh are boosted by the return of star all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz for the second Test against Sri Lanka, but it also provides a selection dilemma for the team management. The 26-year-old, who missed the first Test due to illness, is ranked number two among Test all-rounders. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, who replaced him in the first Test in Galle that ended in a draw on Saturday, finished with a six-wicket match haul. Head coach Phil Simmons admitted the team now faces a "good headache" in balancing the playing 11. "Miraz is world-class, no doubt he strengthens us in both departments," Simmons told reporters on the eve of the game at in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo. "Nayeem was outstanding in Galle. It's tough to leave someone out after a performance like that. But everyone understands the team requirements. We'll take a final call after training today." One possible workaround being floated is sacrificing a specialist batter — potentially Jaker Ali — to accommodate both spinners. But Simmons was tight-lipped, saying the final squad would only be confirmed on match day. Hosts Sri Lanka are grappling with a selection choice of their own, following the retirement of stalwart Angelo Mathews, who called time on his Test career after the Galle game. Three uncapped players — Pavan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha —have been added to the squad. Selectors are likely to hand Dinusha his maiden cap. "Sonal's a promising left-hander who also offers us left-arm spin. Given the conditions, he fits the bill," said skipper Dhananjaya de Silva. Sri Lanka will also be forced to make at least one more change with seam-bowling all-rounder Milan Rathnayake out due to a side strain. The toss-up is between an extra pacer — most likely Kasun Rajitha, back from a stint of County Cricket with Essex — or a second frontline spinner in Akila Dananjaya, who last played a Test almost six years ago. The Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo is usually a seamer-friendly venue, but the pitch this time is expected to assist spinners as the game wears on.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mehidy gives Bangladesh selection 'headache' for Sri Lanka Test
Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando attends a practice session at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh (Ishara S. KODIKARA) Bangladesh are boosted by the return of star all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz for the second Test against Sri Lanka, but it also provides a selection dilemma for the team management. The 26-year-old, who missed the first Test due to illness, is ranked number two among Test all-rounders. Advertisement Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, who replaced him in the first Test in Galle that ended in a draw on Saturday, finished with a six-wicket match haul including a five-for in the first innings. Head coach Phil Simmons admitted the team now faces a "good headache" in balancing the playing 11. "Miraz is world-class, no doubt he strengthens us in both departments," Simmons told reporters on the eve of the game at in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo. "Nayeem was outstanding in Galle. It's tough to leave someone out after a performance like that. But everyone understands the team requirements. We'll take a final call after training today." Advertisement One possible workaround being floated is sacrificing a specialist batter -- potentially Jaker Ali -- to accommodate both spinners. But Simmons was tight-lipped, saying the final squad would only be confirmed on match day. Hosts Sri Lanka are grappling with a selection choice of their own, following the retirement of stalwart Angelo Mathews, who called time on his Test career after the Galle game. Three uncapped players -- Pavan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha -- have been added to the squad. Selectors are likely to hand Dinusha his maiden cap. "Sonal's a promising left-hander who also offers us left-arm spin. Given the conditions, he fits the bill," said skipper Dhananjaya de Silva. Advertisement Sri Lanka will also be forced to make at least one more change with seam-bowling all-rounder Milan Rathnayake out due to a side strain. The toss-up is between an extra pacer -- most likely Kasun Rajitha, back from a stint of County Cricket with Essex -- or a second frontline spinner in Akila Dananjaya, who last played a Test almost six years ago. The Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo is usually a seamer-friendly venue, but the pitch this time is expected to assist spinners as the game wears on. str/sai/pjm/dhw


India Gazette
20-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
CPL: KKR team mentor Dwayne Bravo replaces Phil Simmons as new Trinbago Knight Riders head coach
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have announced the appointment of former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as their new head coach for the upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. Following the latest development, Bravo has replaced Phil Simmons, who is currently serving as the head coach of the Bangladesh men's team. 'It's an honour to be given the opportunity to be Head Coach of TKR, a team that's very close to my heart. I would like to personally thank Coach Phil Simmons for his time and commitment over the last few years, and now I look forward to this new challenge for me and my staff,' Bravo said in a social media post of the franchise. During his stint in the Caribbean Premier League as a player, Bravo made 107 appearances between 2013 and 2024 and scalped 129 wickets while maintaining his economy rate at 8.74. Of 11 seasons, Bravo represented the Trinbago Knight Riders in nine. He lifted the title five times, including the season when he led St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to a memorable title run in 2021. Last year, Bravo was appointed as the head coach of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. In the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), Bravo retired from the league in 2022 and served as a bowling consultant for the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In IPL 2025, Bravo joined the Kolkata Knight Riders to replace Gautam Gambhir as the team mentor. Under his watch, the Knight Riders, the defending champions, failed to defend their crown and finished eighth with 12 points. The renowned West Indies all-rounder lifted four IPL titles with CSK in different roles. The decorated Caribbean star is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 183 scalps and the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament, in 2013 and 2015. (ANI)


India Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
CPL 2025: Trinbago Knight Riders appoint Dwayne Bravo as new head coach
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have appointed Dwayne Bravo as their head coach for the 2025 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), ushering in a new era for the most successful franchise in tournament history. Bravo replaces Phil Simmons, who has taken up the role of head coach of the Bangladesh men's national team.A CPL stalwart, Bravo's association with the tournament stretches back to its inception in 2013. He played 107 matches across 11 seasons, finishing with 129 wickets at an economy rate of 8.74. Nine of those seasons were spent with TKR, a franchise he helped to four titles, and a fifth with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in 2021—his lone season away, which also saw him lead the side to their maiden an honour to be given the opportunity to be head coach of TKR, a team that's very close to my heart,' Bravo said in a post on social media. 'I would like to personally thank Coach Phil Simmons for his time and commitment over the last few years, and now I look forward to this new challenge for me and my staff.' This appointment continues Bravo's growing coaching portfolio. Last year, he was named head coach of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20, another team owned by the Knight Riders group. He also served as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2025 IPL and had stints as a bowling consultant with Chennai Super Kings in 2023 and 2024, following his retirement from playing in the IPL in the international level, Bravo was the bowling consultant for Afghanistan during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where the team made a historic run to the semi-finals before being knocked out by South will be hoping Bravo's experience and leadership can take them back to the top after a mixed campaign in CPL 2024. The franchise finished third in the league stage but bowed out in the Eliminator following a defeat to Barbados his transition into coaching, Bravo isn't done playing yet. The 40-year-old will feature once again alongside Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard for West Indies Champions in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), set to begin in England on July 18. The Caribbean side will open their campaign against South Africa Champions at Edgbaston on July 19. Last year, they reached the semi-finals before being ousted by Bravo at the helm, TKR will look to blend experience with youth as they aim for a record-extending fifth CPL Watch