CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – SOUTH AFRICAN-STYLE…
Club Championships – South African-Style…
also known as the only time anyone really plays golf!
For the past twenty years, I have invited my members to participate in Club Championships – I have sent wonderful, enticing letters explaining what a fun and fulfilling weekend it will be – with the satisfaction that comes from competing to get your name on the “Honor’s Board” (or as it was at Fancourt and Pezula, “on the Brass”). Then, after following up with further notifications in the weekly newsletter, and finally, after making pleading phone calls to everyone on the continent who plays the great game of golf, a smidgen of our members make the effort and enter. The weekend starts with welcome drinks and snacks, allowing me the opportunity to go through the local rules; I also point out that it’s a weekend filled with camaraderie and great spirit (in other words, I try to PUMP them up)! The course is always presented in its best condition with a massive effort in presenting a variety of shots through multiple tee and pin positions. This year, we started the field with coffee, tea and homemade muffins (even Chef Brad was there doing the serving on the 1st tee). Right up to that first tee shot, it all had the making of a perfect and memorable weekend. Then I said the wrong thing… ”Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming! For the next two days we will be playing medal. Please play a provisional ball if you should unfortunately let a shot slip away and if there is any doubt about a situation on the course that may require a ruling, please play a second ball; I will be close by to assist you. Oh, and play every shot with a smile – please be nice to yourself” – and, after that, those who have signed up for the Open Divisions go through a mental and physical transformation.
(Why is it that no one in South Africa ever plays medal golf? No one is prepared for medal golf! So, when we can and do (finally) get a few brave souls out for Club Championships, why do most of them hit some shots that they never could have imagined hitting? Even the eventual Champions experienced a few (golf) life-threatening moments. My words of support emphasizing the fact that patience will pay off and just get out of trouble, first and everyone will do it…didn’t seem to help!)
also known as the only time anyone really plays golf!
For the past twenty years, I have invited my members to participate in Club Championships – I have sent wonderful, enticing letters explaining what a fun and fulfilling weekend it will be – with the satisfaction that comes from competing to get your name on the “Honor’s Board” (or as it was at Fancourt and Pezula, “on the Brass”). Then, after following up with further notifications in the weekly newsletter, and finally, after making pleading phone calls to everyone on the continent who plays the great game of golf, a smidgen of our members make the effort and enter. The weekend starts with welcome drinks and snacks, allowing me the opportunity to go through the local rules; I also point out that it’s a weekend filled with camaraderie and great spirit (in other words, I try to PUMP them up)! The course is always presented in its best condition with a massive effort in presenting a variety of shots through multiple tee and pin positions. This year, we started the field with coffee, tea and homemade muffins (even Chef Brad was there doing the serving on the 1st tee). Right up to that first tee shot, it all had the making of a perfect and memorable weekend. Then I said the wrong thing… ”Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming! For the next two days we will be playing medal. Please play a provisional ball if you should unfortunately let a shot slip away and if there is any doubt about a situation on the course that may require a ruling, please play a second ball; I will be close by to assist you. Oh, and play every shot with a smile – please be nice to yourself” – and, after that, those who have signed up for the Open Divisions go through a mental and physical transformation.
(Why is it that no one in South Africa ever plays medal golf? No one is prepared for medal golf! So, when we can and do (finally) get a few brave souls out for Club Championships, why do most of them hit some shots that they never could have imagined hitting? Even the eventual Champions experienced a few (golf) life-threatening moments. My words of support emphasizing the fact that patience will pay off and just get out of trouble, first and everyone will do it…didn’t seem to help!)
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“Medal-play golf…it’s a mind f^*#”, was the comment I heard after watching one of our Club Championship participants take part of the dune out of the first hole on Sunday! I am not going to tell you that it was our sweet, well-dressed and powerful-hitting Lynne Martin who let those words slip as I drove up.
| However, the lady on the right (Lynne) probably couldn’t have summed it up better! Having said that, we did produce Champions…great CHAMPIONS! The weather was perfect, the course, too! So I say, “WELL DONE to all you who made the effort and played in this year’s Club Championships! I am proud of you!” Well done to Theo Vos who came back and made more points in nine holes on the second day than he did on the entire first 18. Well done to Greg Darke who overcame an 8 on his first hole (52 on his opening nine) to come back the second day with the best score of the day 39, 40=79. Well done to you, Lynne, for shaking off that “bunker-bashing”; then for hitting shots like you knew you could! Hats off to Peter, Roger and Brian for playing the game! Nice come back to you, Alison and Linda. Way to hang in there, Helen! ...and Cindy, you played closer to your handicap than anyone in the field! We’ll see you all next year…playing better and better! |
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Some of the ladies…
Some of the men…
Champions –
Martin King and Lynn Slogrove
Men’s Runner-up -
Ernest Bendeman
Nett Winners -
Cindy Mills and Louis Van Niekerk
Men’s Runner-up -
Greg Darke
Stableford Winner -
(12-year old) Jandre Lessing
Runner-up -
Eberhard Jacobs
Martin King and Lynn Slogrove
Men’s Runner-up -
Ernest Bendeman
Nett Winners -
Cindy Mills and Louis Van Niekerk
Men’s Runner-up -
Greg Darke
Stableford Winner -
(12-year old) Jandre Lessing
Runner-up -
Eberhard Jacobs
St Francis Bay MTB Challenge – September 4th
(starting and finishing at St Francis Links – over 450 riders last year)
Sponsorships are needed – Why don’t you take part in the largest mountain bike race in the region – either by riding or supporting the cause. Click Here for details!
And click here!
Upcoming Events
Nomads Monthly Game - Sunday, 5 June (full field)
OPEN Wednesday - Wednesday, June 8 (special rates)
BIG Six Challenge - Friday, 10 June (bonus day on Saturday, June 11)
US OPEN - Thursday-Sunday, June 16-19
The “Majors” Qualifier - Saturday, June 18 (member event)
Cheers for now,
Jeff
Sponsorships are needed – Why don’t you take part in the largest mountain bike race in the region – either by riding or supporting the cause. Click Here for details!
And click here!
Upcoming Events
Nomads Monthly Game - Sunday, 5 June (full field)
OPEN Wednesday - Wednesday, June 8 (special rates)
BIG Six Challenge - Friday, 10 June (bonus day on Saturday, June 11)
US OPEN - Thursday-Sunday, June 16-19
The “Majors” Qualifier - Saturday, June 18 (member event)
Cheers for now,
Jeff
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