AGC looks to crucial Royal clash for Allerton league boost

By Mrs Furyk

AMANZIMTOTI Golf Club men’s Premier league side kicked off its 2016 season with a hard-fought loss to Southern Natal, playing at Port Shepstone.

At the end of the morning foursomes games, the boys were already 3-1 down, with only the pairing of Sean Roberts and Nico Muller managing to win their game on the 17th.

In the singles matches, Bruce Whiting, making a well-received return to premier league golf, put an early point on the board by winning comfortably 3- 2. Bester Swart battled around and unfortunately lost on the 16th. Debutant Jason van Rensburg and Sean Roberts both took their singles game to the 17th hole with good performances, unfortunately both losing their games.

Kalvin van Rensburg and Mike Igesund were off the course early, and it must be assumed that both were resoundingly thumped as their scores were not provided for publication. Mark Cowie put in another solid display, winning his game 3-1.

With the crowd gathering to watch the closing games, Nico Muller held his nerve to close off an excellent performance and win his match on the 18th hole. Unfortunately this was not enough and Toti lost 8-4 to Southern Natal. The next fixture for this side will be away to Mount Edgecombe on 3 April.

The Allerton boys hosted DCC Allerton 2 at home, with the match taking place in near perfect conditions. The temperature soared in the mid 30’s, but was fortunately accompanied by a slight breeze which rejuvenated the players.

The morning foursomes games were shared 2-2, with Tommy McNaughton and Bobby Mile winning one up, and Cecil Heydenrych and Peter Tiearney winning 3-2. Ian Bender and Peter Dalton lost their game 3-2, while Ronnie Nair and Eugene Mbambo went down by one. This is a very rare blemish on Ronnie’s league page.

The afternoon singles games were also halved 4-4. Tommy went one down but showed great fighting spirit. Bobby sank a birdie putt on the 18th to secure the first win for Toti, and this proved to be a crucial putt which helped Toti secure the draw. Cecil had the beating of his opponent with a solid 3-2 win.

Peter went down 4-2, playing against an opponent that proved just too good. Ian Bender tempted the fate of pig ownership, losing 3-2, and Peter Dalton lost his match 2-1.

The last two players showed true talent, with Eugene cementing his number two position with a great 2-1 win, and Ronnie once again proving his worth at number one, winning 4-3 and totally demoralising his opponent.

For the record, Peter Dalton is house-sitting the pig until the next match.

All in all a good result for the team, played in great spirit, and this makes the next outing against Royal a crucial clash, and the team will have to set their sights towards a solid win to boost themselves up the Allerton ranks.

Mount Edgecombe hosted the third round of the senior league, with the Toti team tying with Kloof CC for top team honours. Tommy McNaughton was Toti’s top individual player on 40 points. The next game for this side will be on 4 April at Durban Country Club, and the boys go into the encounter 11 points adrift of Royal Durban, with all to play for.

Wednesday’s midweek IPS competition saw 35 players take part. Mike Pienaar posted his first-ever win in a golf competition of any sort, shooting an amazing 44 points. Right behind him was Nic Brits on 43, followed by Mike Slabbert on 41 and Brian Algate on 40. For the record, Mike bought a round to celebrate his achievement, which leads everyone to encourage him to return to Toti soon, and hopefully play as well again.

On Friday, 24 players competed in the nine hole sundowner IPS, and Mr S Beneke was once again in the prizes, and once again didn’t write his full name on the card so remains incognito again. Nigel Johnson finished second on 22, and Billy Williamson won the count out on 20 points.

The men played their monthly mug on Saturday, and Kalvin van Rensburg made easy work of winning the A division, shooting 72 gross nett 70. Cecil Heydenrych took the honours in the B division, scoring 81 gross nett 70, followed by Tommy McNaughton with 74 nett. Willie Boucher won the C division showing 68 nett, followed by Gordon Dunlop on 70 nett.

Best gross was won by Kalvin, followed by Cecil and Gordon, and best nett went to Willie Boucher, followed by Kalvin, Cecil and Gordon all on 70.

The two nearest the pins went to Jimmy Corr on the fourth and Rob Wilson on the 15th, and Martin Rumbelow lost out on the attendance draw as he left the club early.

KZNLGA medal and putts was the order of the day for the women, with Delene Berry taking the honours in the silver division on 75 nett, followed by Charmain Stone on 76 nett. Sue Daniels cleaned up almost all the prizes on offer, winning the bronze division on 74 nett, taking the least putts prize with 29 strokes of the flat stick, scoring a two club and then winning the raffle to round off a good day out. Last of the prize-winners were Sue Boucher coming second in the bronze division on 77 nett, and Charmain Stone achieving nearest the pin on the 7th hole.

Several AGC women travelled to Vryheid to compete in the Northern region championships, with Brenda Morgan, Lass Davis and Jacqui Porrill not faring too well, but Elsune Roode once again flying the Toti flag high by coming 3rd overall and winning the junior trophy. Elsune shot 77 for both 18 holes, which is really good, consistent play.

A reminder, AGC welcomes all visitors and locals to go on down and make use of its superb golf course and driving range. Phone the pro shop on 031-902-4144 to book a tee-off time.