"As long we are involved with the South African Open the sponsor's name will never appear in front of the tournament name."

As David Spencer of Leisurecorp made that statement at the launch of the 2008 South African Open golf championships you simply had to nod in agreement. It is not often nowadays that sponsors willingly drop their names from the tournaments, teams and players that they plug money into — and I understand their reasoning — but Spencer's comments were music to my ears.

Professional sports is far removed from the days of amateurs, but while sponsors deserve to be recognised for their contributions, the flagrant abuse of their naming rights gets a little ridiculous at times.

How often have you been forced to listen to the following, or at least something similar:

"Welcome back to Sahara Park (insert stadium here). First up let's speak to Nashua Cobras captain Graeme Smith, who just so happens to be the Standard Bank Man of the Match!"

Or how about this beauty: "Welcome to Sahara Park for the match between the Nashua Titans and the Nashua Cobras, the winner of which will meet the Nashua Dolphins in the final of the SuperSport Series!"

Is it not enough to have your company name on the shirt anymore? Don't get me wrong, I think it is fantastic that corporates are getting involved in our domestic competitions, but there is a line that was long ago crossed.

Newlands is one of the most famous grounds in the world, but it has lost its identity to an Indian computer company, who happens to own other grounds across the country as well. Ditto for Nashua, who seem to sponsor just about every team in domestic cricket in SA...

What next? Are we going to have clothing sponsors for individual players doing the same? "And our Standard Bank Man of the Match is Puma Herschelle Gibbs!"

Having to plug the sponsor every time you mention the team — or tournament and stadium — only serves to cheapen the occasion. And that is one of the reasons Leisurecorp took the decision to return the South African Open to its original name after taking over the sponsorship of the tournament from South African Airlines (SAA).

The SA Open is the second oldest golf tournament in the world and does not deserve to lose its identity in favour of the sponsor.

Mail me your thoughts.