Dainfern Country Club’s Joyce Hughes swings by for tee

Dainfern Country Club’s Joyce Hughes has done it again.

The golf section’s women’s club captain, and five-times women’s champion, competed with some of the best amateur golfers in the country and came out tops in the Sanlam Cancer Challenge at Sun City.

Returning from two gruelling days on the fairways from 9 to 10 October, the challenge’s overall winner as well as A division winner, played a quiet round at Dainfern and retold her adventure.

“I actually represented the Southern Cape team, because I played in the regionals there in July and to my surprise, I won that,” she said.

“The tournament [challenge] was difficult but the toughest part was the last nine holes of the 36.”

Hughes said she was five shots behind but never gave up and on the last hole, the leader, Nicole Schoeman, was up two shots but landed in the water. Hughes’ determination helped her snatch the prestigious trophy, and win four nights away at the Soho and Cascades hotels at Sun City.

“I love the challenge in golf, with the different decisions you have to make. You are always in a different position, hitting a different direction, sometimes into wind. Everything keeps changing.”

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Hughes (65) started playing golf 18 years ago when she became a member of Dainfern. She has seen it all on the golf course, but one funny memory stands out.

“My friend once hit into a bunker and was worried he would scuff the ball into the water. He asked me to stand at the water’s edge and catch the ball if he hit too hard.”

Hughes recalled how she thought he was joking but went along anyway.

“It went straight at me,” she laughed. “The next thing I knew the ball was rolling toward the water. I chased it, slipped and fell into the water. They had to pull me out.”

Dainfern’s golf manager, Rikert Schalkwyk praised Hughes for being the first member of the club to win the challenge and said she brings more to the club than just skill.

“As captain, she brings excitement and welcomes new members in a way that they feel part of the family,” he said.

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