Umkomaas members are once again beaming with pride at the continued success of Sabiha Bacaus-Hulley.
Last weekend, the South Coast Region Championships were held at Port Shepstone in what can only be described as unusually frigid conditions, with the ladies teeing off at 07:00 in 9C temps.
Thankfully it warmed up a little throughout the day, but the course proved challenging, especially the putting, with most players despondent by the sheer number of shots swallowed by tough greens conditions.
Sabiha’s strong iron play kept her in the hunt despite struggling to adjust to the difficult greens conditions, and she shot 79, 78 to finish up as the winner in the Closed Championship and overall nett winner with a sub-handicap nett score of 143. She also only just missed winning the Championship outright by two shots, beaten by KZN squad member Kayla Saunders, a +3 handicapper.
The cheers that went up in prize giving when she was asked to collect her prizes is a testament to how much she is loved and admired, not only by the other seven Umkomaas ladies present, but by all the lady golfers from the region. Well done Sabiha, you do us so proud!
Umkomaas’ rich tradition in producing quality amateur and professional golfers was on show this past Saturday as our competition included three touring professionals.
Tim Clark, who is out visiting with his family from the States, proved that he’s still got it despite not playing much presently, going round the course in level par.
He played alongside local youngster and touring pro Jason Gilliver, and his dad Peter. Earlier in the field, young Rickie Towell, also an aspirant touring professional, returned to Umkomaas for a round with his dad Blaise.
The Ocean Wave team of Nigel Hensen, Mark Bezencon and Sue and Willie Boucher, took top spot with an impressive 87 points.
Regular competitors the Southern Lights (Wally Kent, Ken Koster, Neil de Villiers and Raj Rampathy) finished second on 86 points, with the Umkomaasters beating out the Captain’s Pick for third on 85 points.
Wally Kent scooped all the money in the Jackpot and walked away with his share of the Two Club winnings, joining Ian Reid and Viv Naicker in making birdies on the shorts.
Viv Naicker’s two-club, made on the tough 4th hole was especially impressive as winter conditions have brought out the beast in that green once again. One wonders if there is a more nerve-wracking putt as one from above the hole on the 4th when the pin is in the front?
A back-up on this tee box was testament to the number of players who miscalculated the speed and watched their balls trickle, gaining momentum and speed before ending up back down the fairway.
Next weekend is Club Champs, and with the course in great nick, the scores promise to be good. The influx of members has swelled the fields and set up some wonderful competition across all the divisions and we look forward to crowning our 2022 champions next Sunday. Good luck to all the players.
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