Volvo Champions competitors will be afforded police escorts from their hotels on Saturday to avoid any disruption caused as an expected 80,000 crowd gather in Durban to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Africa National Congress (ANC).
South African President Jacob Zuma will address the crowd in the Kings Park Stadium located across the road from the Durban Country Club course.
Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management with defending Volvo Champions winner, Branden Grace.
The stadium is home to the Rugby Super 15 Natal Sharks and two playing fields beside the arena have been roped off as a temporary practice range for the 33 competitors contesting the Euro 2m event.
“Apart from the noise that will come from the stadium we have been assured by Durban police officials there should not be any concern for the running of the tournament,” said Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management.
“However all the players will be given a police escort from their hotels to the golf course so they will not get caught up in any traffic delays caused by those travelling to the stadium.”
Though noise from a road running the length on west side of the Durban Country Club course that will be used by ANC supporters attending the celebration could be distractive.
The 14th, 15th and 16th holes run the closest to Masabalala Yengwe Ave that dissects the course and the stadium.
And once President Zuma has completed his at the 101st ANC anniversary celebration the keen golfer will be guest of Volvo at the tournament.
However the second round of the event has been disrupted with a fierce overnight electrical storm flooding parts of the Indian Ocean shoreline course.
It has meant delaying the start of the second round by two hours.
Former Thailand paratrooper, Thongchai Jaidee will take a three shot lead into day two after leaping into the lead on Thursday with a round of a seven under par 65.
