Four-time major winner Ernie Els has paid tribute to Nedbank Golf Challenge tournament director Dan Sevel, who fell to his death on Thursday.
The 40-year-old Sevel died after falling off the roof of the building of tournament sponsors Sun International’s head office in Sandton at around midday. Sevel was also the sports marketing manager of the company.
Circumstances surrounding the death are unclear at the moment, with the Sandton Chronicle newspaper quoting Zoleka Skweyiya – the group communications manager for Sun International – as follows:
“We can confirm that just after noon today, a member of staff fell from the 5th floor balcony of our offices. The exact circumstances are unknown at this stage.
“We are co-operating fully in all respects with the relevant authorities in investigating the incident. Emergency services responded quickly and were unfortunately unable to resuscitate him.”
Sevel took over the Nedbank Golf Challenge tournament director role from the experienced Alastair Roper, who retired in 2016 after 20 years in the job.
Els took to Twitter on Thursday and said: “Devastated today! Dan our friend we going to miss you! Truly gutted!! RIP #dansevel”
Devastated today! Dan our friend we going to miss you! Truly gutted!! RIP #dansevel
— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) July 12, 2018
SA pro golfer Nicole Garcia added: “RIP to a gentle soul. You will be missed #DanSevel”
Rest in peace my Friend! 😭😭 Golf will be poorer without you!!! My condolences to his family 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/qHg1mXEZ6b
— Nico Van Rensburg (@itrainer2) July 12, 2018
Another golfer, Nico van Rensburg, said: “Rest in peace my Friend! Golf will be poorer without you!!! My condolences to his family”