Greenkeepers tee up for pride

The greenkeepers at Randpark Golf Club showed they are not to be underestimated, using golf clubs from as far back as 1975 to win the second Greenkeepers vs Members Challenge.

Ivan van Heerden and Roger Innes, keepers of the Bushwillow and Firethorn courses respectively, played for pride when they took on Alf Adami and Roger King on 26 April.

Incorporated in the challenge, which is becoming a tradition at the club and which the Greenkeepers have now won both times, is that the Greenkeepers use the oldest golf clubs they can get their hands on, while the challenging Members use any clubs.

The losers must also plant trees at the club afterwards.

The challenge started out close but the Greenkeepers edged ahead in the better-ball team contest and had already won with five holes up with four holes to go.

The players relaxed and enjoyed the last four holes with the usual banter and jest that accompanies a friendly game of golf.

Then Adami and King dug holes near a stream and planted two River Bush-willows, permanent reminders of the special day.

“It was great fun, playing with the old clubs and winning,” said Innes. “It was like going back to the roots of golf, probably the way golf should be played.”

His teammate, Van Heerden, commented that the pair combined well together so that when one player struggled on a hole, the other excelled.

Despite losing, Adami said, “It was a great and challenging game – extremely competitive and well-spirited.”

Club general manager, Francois Swart, explained that management noticed there was little interaction between the Greenkeepers and Members and a stigma existed that the Greenkeepers could not play golf well.

“We wanted people to really engage with the Greenkeepers – it was the Greenkeepers’ idea to use old clubs and to plant trees,” he said.

Details: Randpark Golf Club info@randpark.co.za; 011 215 8600.
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