UGC fairways benefit from coastal downpour

By P Utter

WOW, What a lot of rain we got.

And did we get it – by the ‘flood’ load. Hopefully everyone is safe with only minor damage – especially to the golf courses up and down the coastline.

Umkomaas Golf Club (UGC) suffered minimal damage. There were fallen trees but that immense amount of water has drained away very well. The course was only closed for one day, on Tuesday, and things were back to normal quite quickly, thanks to green keeper, Mike Powell and his team of dedicated workers.

UGC hosted a successful fundraising day for Reinhardt’s Place, a home dedicated to the well-being of autistic adults on Friday, 29 July. This was all thanks to Annette Gillett and her team of helpers. There were prizes aplenty and all the players received something at prize-giving. The winners, with their local knowledge and on a count out, were the two Gregs – Gregg Andersson, Greg Thiel, Dave Mulroy and Julian le Pront from Chris Viljoen, Dave Kemp, Jimmy Pickavance and Rob Mathias in second place, all on 91 points. There were so many prizes to be won – too many to mention. Congratulations to all the players for the fantastic support shown on Friday. Well done to Jimmy Pickavance who had a wonderful day, topping it off by winning the fabulous raffle as well.

Wednesday’s competition ended up quite small but the old faithfuls played their own individual competition. The course was still a tad wet but this handful of players weren’t going to be deterred. They enjoyed their outing nonetheless.

Saturday’s competition was also an individual stableford and the club welcomed Nigel Henson. There weren’t too many players on Saturday so all the side competitions – jackpot, hidden birdie and the football sweep – will be held over to next weekend. The winner was Michelle van der Merwe with 40 points, counting out Kuben Naidoo into second place, also on 40 points with Sabiha Bacaus in third spot counting out young Tash Naicker into fourth slot, both on 39 points. Even if the course was still a bit dampish, the scores reflect the closeness in the points. Well done to them all, especially the UGC women who won against the men. This doesn’t happen very often but when it does, congrats are in order. John Thompson took home the attendance draw.

Next Saturday, 6 August is the Toyota monthly medal for all members, with the inaugural Aliwal Stroll taking place on Sunday, 7 August and Monday, 8 August. The competitions are a betterball on Sunday with the Alliance on Monday. Tuesday, 9 August is a public holiday (National Women’s Day). Contact for the Aliwal Stroll is John Thompson on 082-322-4920.

A gentle reminder that it’s the club’s fundraising day on Saturday, 13 August. Support this one fundraising day the club holds every year. If you have promised prizes and so on, take them to the office. To book your tee time, call on 039-973-1042 as the time sheet is in the office. Note that the golf shop telephone number no longer exists. All calls can be directed through the office on the number quoted above.

Coming up in August for the women is their final inter region match up at Bosch Hoek on 14 August and the fourth round of the league matches on 21 August at Scottburgh. The regional finals of the Sanlam Cancer Challenge will be on 28 August up at Kloof. More on these to tournaments at a later date.

Six-pin is still active on a Friday afternoon, so call the club for more info just in case there is a tournament on the go that day. UGC’s website can be found at www.umkomaasgolf.co.za