Seventy-four players competed in the 2020 Club Championships this past weekend, braving scorching temperatures and sticky humidity.
Course conditions at Umkomaas Golf Club were excellent although some lamented the slower pace of the greens, whilst others relished the hold the softer ground conditions allowed.
This year’s competition was expanded to include a men’s D division, an attempt by #thefriendliestclub to make the game more inclusive for young, old, beginners and social golfers.
Despite being new, this division was hotly contested.
All in all, six divisional competitions were hosted – men’s A to D divisions and ladies silver and bronze divisions.
It seems that our more youthful members managed the heat and conditions best, with our men’s A and B division champions teenagers.
It is wonderful to see the juniors coming through the ranks and lovely to know that their passion, dedication, and hours of practice are paying off.
Donald Bradshaw took top honours in the D-division on 76 points, adding to his trophy list after a B-division win at UGC back in 2002.
Now playing only occasionally, Donald showed that he still has great ball skill and ability.
The C-division was hotly contested on Saturday after round one with several golfers in contention, but a spectacular nett 65 on Sunday saw Kuben Naidoo race to victory with 171 gross.
Damien O’Connell put together two consistent rounds of 83 and 81 to take the B-division by one shot from Jacques Kirstein.
With regular victories and falling scores we expect to see this talented young golfer competing in the A division next year.
The 2020 club champion (A division) is Russell Heine, another talented youngster who proved his mettle by shooting an excellent 74 on day two to secure victory.
This after lagging seven shots behind round one leader Patrick Ndlovu due to an 80. Patrick had to accept second place on 155 gross.
The ladies competed over silver and bronze divisions with Evija McKelvey putting together two consistent scores to take the bronze division trophy.
Sabiha Bacaus fired on day two, more than making up for the two-shot deficit she had on Natalie Singer, to shoot 81 and secure the Silver division trophy for the second consecutive year.
Thanks went to club captain Graeme Coxell and his committee and to Charmaine for her tireless efforts in the pro shop, as well as to Jacques Kirstein for devising the scores recording system that allowed us to gain great insights into individual performances and stats on hardest and easiest holes each day.
Devlyn Fraser and the greens team did a great job in getting the course in top condition especially after all the rain we’ve experienced in the last few weeks.
Nelson Moonsamy, as tournament organiser, ensured great coordination all round and chose some very interesting and unique pin positions.
Members, both those playing and those cheering from the sidelines, enjoyed a few drinks and watched the players come in.
The camaraderie both on and off the course is just so special and a true testament to the #friendliestclub moniker UGC has inherited.
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