Latest news with #VandenBerg
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
North Carolina's David Glabicki leads Golfweek Senior National Championship at Grandover
North Carolina's David Glabicki leads Golfweek Senior National Championship at Grandover Even with a pair of heavy hitters highlighting the field at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina, for the Golfweek Senior National Championship, a local North Carolinian is the one setting the pace. After 18 holes at the resort's East Course, David Glabicki from nearby Cary, North Carolina leads the field. Glabicki, who lives roughly 70 miles from Grandover, fired an even-par 72 in the first round. That included three birdies and three bogeys and was good for a single-shot lead on Kevin VandenBerg of Pulaski, New York. Glabicki finished in the top 10 at the Society of Seniors Jack Hesler earlier in the year and most recently was T54 at the Jones Cup Senior in February. Scores: Golfweek Senior National Championship His closest chaser, VandenBerg, is notorious for teeing it up nearly every week on the senior golf circuit. He has won Golfweek Senior Player of the Year honors the past two seasons. VandenBerg had a clean card on Monday but for a double-bogey on the par-4 11th. That canceled out a birdie on No. 9 and left him at 1-over par. Behind VandenBerg sits Bryan Hoops of Tempe, Arizona, who has won the last five senior events in which he has teed it up, including two Golfweek events in the California desert in April. Hoops had an uncharacteristically colorful card on Monday, going out in 40 on the front nine before coming home in 35 for a 3-over 75. In the Super Senior division, Stevie Cannady has the solo lead after a 2-over 74. Cannady, winner of the 2024 Golfweek Super Senior National Championship and a resident of Pooler, Georgia, is one shot ahead of Randy King of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and Dub Huckabee of Midland, Texas. Both men posted 3-over 75 on Monday. Greg Goode of Salina, Kansas, and James Starnes of Ft. Myers, Florida, who are ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in Golfweek's National Senior Amateur Rankings, are tied for fourth at 76. Jeffrey Knox of Jupiter, Florida, leads the Legends division after a 1-under 71. Knox went out in 40 but fired an impressive back-nine 31 that included birdies at Nos. 11, 12, 14, 15 and 18. Pete Allen of Southport, North Carolina, leads the Super Legends division with a 1-over 73.
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tips for entrepreneurs looking for government tenders: R1 trillion infrastructure investment loading
Public infrastructure spending over three years will exceed the R1 trillion mark. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced on Wednesday during his third budget speech that the National Treasury has earmarked R1 trillion for infrastructure investment. This could mean that many construction companies in South Africa will get a chance to bid to play a role in the upcoming infrastructure transformation. Roelof van den Berg, CEO of the Gap Infrastructure Corporation, said the government's multibillion-rand infrastructure plans could create significant opportunities, but only for businesses that understand how to navigate the complexities of the tendering process. 'We're seeing too many capable small contractors fail within their first few years, not because they lack skills or technical expertise, but because they're unprepared for public tender requirements in order to win projects.' ALSO READ: R1.3tn for infrastructure: Can SA deliver? Four tips to apply for tenders Van den Berg offers four insights into how new construction businesses can position themselves for future growth: 1. Registering with relevant regulatory bodies He said public sector projects require registration with several government departments and agencies before applying for tenders. 'The first critical registration is with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), without which no contractor can apply for a public tender. 'Some exclusions apply, including joint ventures, subcontractors, labour-only contractors and home builders, which fall under the purview of the National Home Building Council (NHBC).' He noted that many emerging contractors delay their applications or submit incomplete forms, which can lead to weeks of setbacks and disadvantage smaller businesses. 2. Understanding the CIDB grading system and improving your rating Van den Berg added that, depending on its size and track record, a contractor might be excluded from larger public projects, with top contracts reserved for the highest-rated companies. 'CIDB Grade 1 has no criteria besides registration, but limits participation to projects below R500 000. Grades 2 through 9 demand that specific financial and performance metrics be met. 'Grade 2 companies can tender for projects of up to a million rand, but must show proof of completing a R130 000 project in the past five years. Grade 8 contractors can apply for R200 million projects, while Grade 9 companies have no cap – but both must have completed multimillion-rand projects successfully.' He advises treating each project as a stepping stone. 'Carefully and consistently maintain detailed records of timelines, costs, safety compliance and client feedback. Even tracking missteps can guide you to improve over the long term.' ALSO READ: Public-private partnership: key to infrastructure transformation 3. Including social responsibility essentials in tender applications He added that with growing recognition of the important role of corporate social responsibility in changing lives, the government is increasingly seeking contractors who share the aim of improving community well-being. 'You're far more likely to secure a tender if you can demonstrate how your involvement will contribute additional value in terms of upliftment or protecting local ecosystems.' He recommends committing to employing and training community members or contributing to development programmes, depending on capacity and budgets. 'Even smaller-scale initiatives can make a difference in a real and impactful way on the lives of others.' 4. Mitigating risks by subcontracting 'For smaller contractors who lack the capacity for entire projects, van den Berg suggests subcontracting with established firms.' He said this allows new or lower-graded businesses to handle parts of the work without taking on unmanageable risk while benefiting from the principal contractor's guidance. 'Working under an established brand is one of the best ways to learn the ropes. You can see how they manage timelines, compliance processes and stakeholder relationships, and apply that knowledge to your own business to help you move up the CIDB ranks.' Minister welcomes investment Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson welcomed the news of the investment. 'Infrastructure investment remains one of the most effective ways to achieve the government of national unity's (GNU's) goal to grow the economy and create jobs. 'As the department of public works and Infrastructure, together with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), we stand ready to play our part in achieving this goal. By working together we are building a better South Africa.' Job recreation Godongwana, while delivering his third budget speech on Wednesday in Cape Town, said infrastructure is a rich source of jobs in construction, engineering and related industries across a range of skill levels. 'It is for these reasons that infrastructure is the fourth pillar of the growth strategy. This budget demonstrates our resolve to change the composition of spending from consumption to investment. 'Allocations towards capital payments remain the fastest-growing area of spending by economic classification. Public infrastructure spending over three years will exceed the R1 trillion mark.' NOW READ: Budget 3.0: Fuel levy replaced VAT hike but is it the better option?
IOL News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Van den Berg can spark Lions in Challenge Cup redemption hunt against Edinburgh
Morné van den Berg Morné van den Berg will be one of the game drivers for the Lions against Edinburgh on Friday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The Lions made a few changes to their side to strike a balance in fielding and resting key players as they hunt a quarter-final place in the Challenge Cup, and chase a spot in the top eight in the United Rugby Championship. For now, all the focus will be on beating Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium (9pm kick-off) in the Scottish capital, and putting on a better performance than what was the case last weekend in Glasgow. Head coach Ivan van Rooyen selected an exciting starting XV on Thursday for the round of 16 clash in the EPCR competition. The inclusion of Morné van den Berg at scrumhalf should provide the Johannesburg outfit with some attacking impetus. Not that his replacement Nico Steyn did not do well in his injury-enforced absence, but Van den Berg brings a different dimension to the Lions' attack. If the conditions don't allow the visitors to play their running brand of rugby, the tactical kicking at scrumhalf and flyhalf, and from fullback Quan Horn, will have to be on point. Van den Berg will resume his halfback partnership with Gianni Lombard as the Lions' two game drivers. Rynhardt Jonker taking over from the experienced Marius Louw at inside centre comes as a surprise, but it ties in with the team wanting to strike that balance in giving the players game-time over the next few weeks. Upfront, fetcher Jarod Cairns comes in for JC Pretorius, Franco Marais is the starting hooker and loosehead SJ Kotze has been given a chance to state his case in place of Juan Schoeman. Schoeman will come off the bench and could face his brother Pierre, who plays for Edinburgh. Jaque Fourie, the Lions' defence coach, said earlier in the week that they must find that middle ground when it comes to the players' minutes on the field. 'When you get to knockouts, you want to play your best teams,' he said. 'We also want to get that continuity (in selection) going. We have chatted about that quite a bit, because we are going into the business end of the tournaments. 'We want to win (in the knockouts), but we also want to end in the top eight of the URC. 'There were lengthy discussions (on resting players), but we have sorted it out. 5️⃣0️⃣ for Wes Goosen ✨@EdinburghRugby make four changes to their team after their #BKTURC win against the Dragons last weekend 🤩 All #ChallengeCupRugby Team News ⬇️ — EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 3, 2025 'We are prepared to play for six weeks straight if it comes down to that. The more the team can play together, the better it will be for us and them.' Looking at their peculiar position in both competitions, it's unsurprising that the Lions selected their best to continue forging on in the Challenge Cup. If they can find that momentum and play to their ability, they can go all the way to the final, like the Sharks did last season. ✨ Round of 16 Fixtures ✨ Bath Rugby, Racing 92, Hollywoodbets Sharks and the Vodacom Bulls drop into the competition, some mouthwatering ties to come 🍿 Who are you backing to make the #ChallengeCupRugby final in Cardiff, tickets on sale now ⬇️ — EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) January 22, 2025
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Lions players willing to fight for coaches,' says Bok scrumhalf
'There is always going to be noise, and at this stage it's loud.' Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg says the Lions players fully back their coaching staff amid a difficult period which has seen the Joburg-based team lose five games in a row. The Lions are down in 14th position in the United Rugby Championship and just about out of the running to finish in the top eight for a place in the quarter-finals. They have three regular season games remaining. On Saturday at Ellis Park they lost to Italian side Benetton 42-31, their ninth loss of their campaign. They have won only six times in 15 outings. The Lions are also out of the Challenge Cup competition. 'We know the type of men leading us' Asked how it felt to hear constant criticism on social media and for the coaches to be sacked, Van den Berg, who made his Springbok debut last year, said it was something the players tried to stay clear of. He added all the players backed the coaching team, including head coach Ivan van Rooyen. 'When things going bad, we try to stay away from social media, but it does filter through,' said Van den Berg on Tuesday. 'You get friends phoning or texting, asking what's going on … but we know what's going on in the camp, we know the type of men who are leading us, who Cash (van Rooyen) is, what he stands for. 'I'm willing to fight for that, for every coach, every player. 'The beautiful thing is they're also willing to fight for us. There is always going to be noise, and at this stage it's loud. But inside the union we're tight, we're strong and willing to fight for each other, and that's the most important part of it.' Morne van den Berg of the Lions in action against Benetton last weekend. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images 'Trying too hard' Van den Berg added each individual would need to take responsibility for their own role in the remaining three matches, all at home at Ellis Park. The Lions host Connacht this weekend before taking on Scarlets and Ospreys. 'The frustrating thing is seeing this pattern that's developed over the last few games. I can't say what it is, but it's not a lack of willingness … maybe we're trying too hard. But, we've spoken about it and want to rectify it. But also, the time has come that we stopped speaking about it, and started acting on it. 'Everyone has bought into what's required, that we need cohesion and need to play as a team … so hopefully we can put our best foot forward and end the season on a high (in the remaining weeks). Maybe our best rugby is still in front of us.'
