UGC teen withstands golf league pressure to give good showing
Woman captain, Linda Toward had the least putts on the day with only 31 putts for her round.
By P Utter
UMKOMAAS Golf Club’s (UGC) team of eight Allerton players took on the Umhlali team last Sunday at Umkomaas Golf Club (UGC) in their first league game of 2016.
Looking ever so smart in their team shirts, it was young Tash Naicker (only 15-years-old) and his playing partner, George Mzimela who were the heroes of the first round in the morning session, thrashing their opponents three and one.
The other partnerships all lost their first rounds. In the singles round in the afternoon, the boys were marvellous, winning seven of their eight games to win the league against Umhlali (who were touted as the favourites to win). They beat Umhlali eight games to four. Congratulations to all the players in the team – captain Nelson Moonsamy is especially proud of young Tash Naicker, who handled himself and the pressure of league outstandingly. Well done – you guys rock.
Good luck to the three inter region players, Sabiha, Michelle and Annette as they venture down to Margate on Sunday, 10 April for their first inter region match of the year.
Having been chosen to play for both the president’s and the Mkuhla teams, they are sure to do their best, as always. One good thing is that whichever team wins, one of UGC’s girls will be in it. Good luck to all the team players – travel safely and play well.
Wednesday’s competition welcomed Dave Rickards, Mike Harvard and young Hayden Haggie to the club and competition, which was won, just for a change, by Rob Mathias on his own, on 39 points with Barrie Taylor right behind him in second spot on 38 points. Club captain, Jimmy Spear took third slot on a count out from Simon van den Bosch and Vesa Suhonen, all on 37 points.
The first Saturday of the month brings the Halfway Toyota monthly mug / medal competition, which in itself, holds many challenges for quite a few of the players. The club welcomed Alan Eriksen to the club and competition. He played in the A division and won it on a brilliant 69 nett, counting out runner-up Viv Naicker on an equally brilliant 69 nett. The B division was won by Ganas Naicker on an excellent 67 nett with Jimmy Spear the runner-up on 68 nett. It was the winner of the C division who outdid both the A and B division. John Gillett shot an unbelievable 66 nett with Keith Vergottini not too far behind and runner-up on a splendid 69 nett. Well done, guys.
The winner of April’s monthly mug was John Gillett with his fantastic 66 nett.
The women also had quite a good day, with Lesa Vergottini winning the Sutcliffe Glass this month on 70 nett with Sabiha Bacaus in second spot, counting out Michelle van der Merwe into third place, both on 71 nett. Woman captain, Linda Toward had the least putts on the day with only 31 putts for her round.
The jackpot was a four-way split between Derek Airey, John Gillett Bing Opie and Kuben Naidoo, all with 10 points. The hidden birdie has been won at last by none other than Eric Morsner on the first hole. Well done. Ganas Naicker’s name popped up for the attendance draw. Vesa Suhonen took home the ‘birds’ on offer for the football sweep which was Tottenham Hotspur this week.
Next Saturday, 9 April is the third round of the Alliance League – get your teams together, especially ‘The Scrounging Paddys’ who still need to play in the competition this year.
Another reminder that it’s club champs on the weekend of 16 and 17 April. The draw will take place next week so the list and handicaps will be frozen (only temporarily) from Saturday, 9 April after the Alliance League games. This will not affect anyone’s handicap if playing on Sunday, 10 April.
Leaping ahead to May, the Strand Strikers are looking for players to play in the annual sponsored day on Sunday, 22 May – it will be a shot-gun start so you will all finish at the same time. The Strikers support the club every Saturday and have been doing this for the past 30 years, so please support them. For more details, call the club on 039-973-1042.
Good news this week is that the mid-week specials are back after the school holidays and that means that KidzGolf is also starting up again next Saturday.
Call the club for more details on both these offers on 039-973-1042. If playing with the Geriatrics on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6.45am, an even more ‘special’ green fees rate will apply. Call Keith on 083-305-5740 or Graham on 083-325-5705.
The Sardine Run gets closer every week – log on for information and entry forms at www.sardinegolf.co.za
UGC’s website is regularly updated at www.umkomaasgolf.co.za
