Big bash as Jeff turns 60

The highlight of the past week was meant to be the celebration of 20 years of democracy and another free and fair general election for all, but for the local social, golfing and bowling fraternity at Ladysmith Country Club, it was a weekend of fun, great fellowship and re-uniting old friends to celebrate Jeff Richmond’s 60th birthday.

Friday evening’s ‘meet and greet’ was a wonderful reunion of friends we have not seen for some time and there were some interesting stories of the ‘old days’ going around, which brought about so much fun and laughter. This gathering set the scene for what was sure to be a memorable day’s sport and fun on Saturday. Sponsored by Ntokozweni Developers, the golf competition attracted a full field for the Four-Ball Alliance event and the bowls competition attracted 10 teams for the Mixed Trips event. All in all, a full turnout for the day’s sports, not to forget the huge turnout of ‘social guests’ that packed the club to its capacity for the day.

As one person was heard to say: “The golf and bowls are purely incidental to the wonderful fellowship we are all enjoying today”.

Winners of the golf competition were Wayne Bentley, Corne Stevens, Wynand Wessels and Ryan Seele with an incredible score of 106 points. Runners-up with 105 points were Andrea Sirchia, Sergio Cerrai, Ann Cerrai and Mike Attwell, with third spot going to Riaan du Plessis, Ankia du Plessis, Carla Craffert and Colin Woodall on 104 points. Carla Craffert was nearest to the pin on No. 3 and No. 12, with Corne Stevens nearest at No. 8 and Ankia du Plessis nearest at No. 11.

The bowls event was won by Robin Halton, Kurt Swoboda and Ralph Duncan, and the runners-up were Tony Cuninghame, Neil MacKenzie and Reggie Marshall. Third were Jill Holding, Derek Playford and Sandy Richmond.

Thanks to Ntokozweni Developers for the excellent sponsorship of the golf and bowls competition prizes.

The ‘Rasta Party’ continued into the evening (and the night), with music performed by Durban’s top Reggae band, ‘The Mediators’. Young and not-so-young enjoyed the music and the party atmosphere to celebrate Jeff’s birthday.

The May Monthly Mug, sponsored by Mortimer Toyota, was played on Wednesday afternoon. With it being election day, most golfers made sure that they went to the voting stations early so as to get in a round of golf in the afternoon. The field was so full that the last four-balls completed their rounds in the dark. Winner of the ‘A’ Division Mug was Russell Goosen with 67 net, on a count-out from Murray Hume. Murray was playing great golf, but unfortunately his tee shot at the 8th landed in the pot-bunker and this cost him a sad triple-bogey six. The ‘B’ Division Mug was won by Patrick Pieterse with 66 net on a count-out from Rahul Magan. The Individual Stableford prizes went to Wayne Bentley with 40 points and Heinz Habermann on 39 points. Sipho Hlongwa scored the best gross with a level-par round of 71. The longest walk ‘sucker of the month’ was DS Pillay.

Thanks to Mortimer Toyota for the sponsorship of the May Monthly Mug.

The Bowls Club Championships are now well underway and with a number of matches scheduled for the next week, they should reach the semi-final and final stages soon.

The fourth round of the Mortimer Toyota League takes place on Saturday, with a ‘shotgun start’ at 12.30pm. Social golfers, please note that the golf course will be ‘closed’ for any social round of golf from 12.30pm onwards: Neal’s Tyres vs The Bullets from 1st and 2nd tees; Boardman’s Nationals vs Scorpions from 3rd and 4th tees; Four Must Get Beers vs Mortimer Toyota from 5th and 6th tees; Nambiti Plumbers vs Fat Bastards from 7th and 8th tees; Rough riders vs Team Golf from 9th and 10th tees.

Hamilton Preparatory School’s golf day is on Saturday, May 24, and Saturday, May 31, is the Juana Maria Aged Home’s golf day.

The Friday evening 100 Club draw was won by Patrick Pieterse (#39). He was there to collect his winnings, so this Friday it’s back to the standard one-and-a-half grand draw.