The world is watching

Wayne Millar wondered how many in his golfing party would want to return to his native country.

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Martin Meissner/Associated Press

A South Africa supporter holds replicas of the World Cup trophy at Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg, prior to today's kickoff. The home team will play Mexico today. The United States plays England on Saturday.

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Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

South Africa native Wayne Millar said his home country could never host major sporting events such as the World Cup without Nelson Mandela.

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The Champions Retreat Golf Club member and area developer took 11 other members of the club to his home country of South Africa in February 2009. The trip was set up with the group playing Ryder Cup-style matches against members of a prestigious South Africa club: the Gary Player-designed Blair Atholl Golf Course. They called the competition The Atlantic Cup.

"I bet if you asked all of them if they wanted to go back, they would not hesitate," Millar said. "The Americans who went with me were blown away."

South Africa as a country is banking on a similar type of reaction on a much larger scale this month. The country is playing host to the world's largest sports event, soccer's World Cup, a monthlong period that amounts to a showcase for a country that has progressed beyond its dark era of apartheid.

The tournament begins today with Mexico meeting South Africa. The United States plays England on Saturday in one of the most anticipated games of the first round.

Millar has lived in the Augusta area for about 10 years. He still has brothers who live in Durban and Cape Town -- two of the country's larger coastal towns -- and keeps tabs on his native country by returning three or four times a year. He will not be going back for the World Cup, but says he is rooting for the event's success.

Since 1994, South Africa will have now played host to a World Cup in rugby, cricket and soccer, in addition to a Presidents Cup (2003) in golf. Millar credits former president and country hero Nelson Mandela for recognizing the value worldwide sporting events could have to a country searching for a new, unified identity.

"Credit must go to Nelson Mandela," Millar said. "It would not be a stretch to say he is singularly responsible for delivering this. Mandela has held the view that sports can be a healing balm for a nation. ... a rallying call for the people. It's another step in the process of healing.

"It's an opportunity for Africa to showcase itself."

Champions Retreat member Ray Wiggins, of Evans, joined Millar on the 2009 trip and returned boasting about his adventure beyond the fact that his team retained the cup. (Their South African opponents have returned twice during Masters Week for two other competitions, losing both times.)

"I told everyone I knew that it was a sleeper (vacation spot)," Wiggins said. "I told them they all had to try and go there."

Wiggins said he had intended all along to rent a helicopter and take in Cape Town's majestic scenery. By the time he got around to going, three other people in the group had asked to join.

"The natural beauty is amazing," he said.

Local fans are eager to see how the U.S. team fares against world No. 8 England. A victory would almost assure the United States of advancing to the knockout phase from its four-team group.

Augusta Arsenal director of coaching Tom Norton said with the increased presence of English clubs on television, American fans are excited to see how their team fares against such a well-known opponent.

"Those guys are the most recognizable names and guys for our fans, guys from Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool," Norton said. "(The U.S.) is trying to advance out of the first round, and I think they have a pretty good chance of that. But everybody's tough. It's going to be difficult."

The world converges in South Africa for the biggest sporting event every four years. The 2010 World Cup kicks off at 10 this morning when Mexico takes on host South Africa.