The Umkomaas club championships were held last weekend, and 85 players competed across five divisions – three for men and two for ladies.
The course was in immaculate condition and the pin positions were in some interesting, never-before-seen places, which provided a real test. Not least of which, was the double-downhill pin placing on the par 3 4th hole, which caused many to puzzle how to tackle the putt, given the slick greens. One golfer even commented that the only other time they’d seen that pin placing was in a Greenkeeper’s Revenge tournament!
Every shot counted, right down to the final stretch, as the players pitted their mettle against the course and their fellow competitors.
In fact, the Men’s B and C divisions were determined by play-offs.
In the C division, Anil Seepershad took on Gafoor Khan (playing in his first club champs since taking up the game recently) over three extra holes before emerging victorious.
The B division saw a three-way play-off between Kuben Naidoo, Rob Bruce, and Steve Oliver. It took just one extra hole for Rob Bruce to show off his putting skills and seal the victory.
The A division was hotly contested with young Damien O’Connell opening a two-shot lead on day one with a three-better-than-handicap 71 gross. He continued his excellent form on day two, shooting 74, to take the title of club champion by three shots overall.
The ladies competed across two divisions, with the Silver division a tight match too. Heather Parsonage posted a two-better-than-handicap score of 82 gross on day one, to take a one-shot lead over Natalie Singer. The final day was also close with the ladies battling the course and one another, trading birdies and pars to keep the pace. In the end, Natalie posted another consistent round of 82, emerging victorious by two shots. Natalie proudly added her name to the trophy for the 13th time.
The Bronze division was won by Karen Lithgow who put in two consistent scores, winning by four shots from the next nearest competitor Lesa Vergottini. New golfer, Anel Nagel, is to be congratulated on taking on the medal championships and scoring better-than-her-handicap on both days.
Congratulations to greenkeeper Devlyn Fraser and ground staff. Special thanks for those working on the day as marshals, starters, and scorers.
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