Ruimsig Golf Club was packed with approximately 144 enthusiastic players on August 26, all ready to swing their clubs for a good cause during the annual Northsider/ Ritmia Gemeente Golf Day.
The event had to take a back seat last year due to the global pandemic, resulting in golfers having to put away their golf clubs and shoes for the time being. As the lockdown levels were relaxed and the infection rate slowed, tentative planning for this year’s event could commence.
Golfers were waiting with bated breath as the infection rate soared again, and it looked like this year’s golf day might also not take place; but, as the announcement was made that the event would indeed be held, golf bag, clubs, balls, and shoes were taken out of the closet and dusted off in anticipation for a great day on the greens.
The 36 teams of four members each could not have asked for a better day as the weather was sunny and warm, ensuring every team an opportunity to play all 18 holes.
The day kicked off with a shotgun start, and even though the golfers were focused on their game, they made some time for fun, laughter, and games, which, no doubt were fuelled by the various treats supplied by the many sponsors at the different holes.
The day’s activities were concluded with a delicious dinner and prize-giving ceremony, which was MCed by pastor Darius Prinsloo from Ritmia Gemeente, and Darius van der Schyff.
Various prizes were presented to the players, including prizes to the top 40 two-balls, special prizes for the furthest drive with a putter off the back of a JAC flatbed on the 9th hole, the longest drive by both men and women, as well as closest to the pin on Par 3 holes 7 and 11.
The winners were:
1st place – Jan and Edric Cilliers
2nd place – Jaco du Plessis and André Cromhout
3rd place – Anlie Grobler and Colleen Petersen
4th place – Deon Delport and Hein du Plooy
5th place – Chris Joubert and Norman Cherry
Furthest drive from JAC Motors flatbed on 9th hole – Heinrich Visser
Longest drive (men) – Ben Coetzer
Longest drive (women) – Cindy Dalton
Closest to pin – George van der Merwe (11th hole) and Francois Froneman (7th hole)
Best-dressed team – Dewald and Belinda Herselman; Nicky Bruwer and Morné Weitz
There was also a raffle to guess the number of golf balls in a jar and the winner put his prize, a R4 000 meat hamper, up for auction. Other donated items were also auctioned off to help raise funds.
Darius concluded the evening by saying, “In this tough economic climate, it is heartwarming to see everyone’s generosity. We thank you all for your contributions to this high point on our calendar.”
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