Sardine Run arrives – for golfers
Tim Clark was quite busy this weekend, playing in the FedEx St Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee.
WINTER has certainly arrived in KZN, with loads of snow in the Mooi River area which makes it bitterly cold for the folks down on the coast.
Despite the cold, the days are magnificent at Umkomaas Golf Club (UGC) – hopefully the weather during the Sardine Run will be just as spectacular.
Tim Clark was quite busy this weekend, playing in the FedEx St Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee. He finished with -4 on Sunday at T19, having had great rounds of 68, 69, 67 and 72 on the last day. The winner of the FedEx Classic was Ben Crane on -10 – his first win in three years, so one might say, he was due a win. Retief Goosen was the only other South African to make the cut, he finished on -1 at T32. Great news for local fans is that Garth Mulroy will start at the US Open being played at Pinehurst, North Carolina, next weekend in the company of Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel. It will be interesting to see who of this illustrious group will go on and do great things at the Open. It’s a pity Tim isn’t playing to make up the SA numbers but UGC’s best wishes go to all these great golfing ambassadors from South Africa for next week’s tournament.
UGC’s girls ventured down to Southbroom Golf Club for their second SCR league match last Sunday and sadly, they lost quite badly to Port Shepstone 5-1 but at least they won one game, so all is not lost. Their next league game at Selborne GC is on 13 July. Better luck next time, girls.
Wednesday welcomed Mike and Magda Espach to the competition, which was the normal individual stableford. The winner, for a change of pace, was Jimmy Spear on 42 points with Annette Thorold right behind Jimbo in 2nd spot with 41 points. Andy Davidge managed 3rd place with 40 points, counting out Roddy McGibbon into 4th slot.
After last Saturday’s Cancer Challenge, it’s back to the mundane business of monthly medal. Club captain, Peter Toward welcomed Bertus Venter and Devon Govender. The winners in each division were:
A division: Saga Reddy on 72 with Bruce Sutcliffe in 2nd with 74, counting out Barrie Taylor.
B division: 1st was Brian Daventry-Bull on a great 69 followed by Simon van den Bosch, three shots off the pace on 72.
C division: Once again, Ronny Thorold was in the driving seat, winning the C division with a magnificent 69 with John Gillett in 2nd place with 73. Well done, Ron.
The women are always up for a medal challenge and Saturday was no exception. Michelle van der Merwe took the honours this month, scooping 1st prize on 74 with Lesa Vergottini hot on her heels in 2nd slot with a 75. Together with her win, Michelle also won the least putts compo with only 28 putts.
Both the jackpot and the hidden birdie on the 2nd hole will be held over to next week. Only three players managed to get a 2-Club, Bruce Sutcliffe 4th; George Mzimela 9th and Ganas Naicker. John Gillett was at the club to collect the attendance draw. Well done to all the winners.
At last, the much anticipated Sardine Run 2014 is about to start – welcome to all the up-country and new team entrants who are playing in the ‘Run’ for the first time, not forgetting the regular teams who play every year. The weather at the moment is superb, so good luck to everyone, enjoy the experience on all three courses, may you all play well with straight drives and holed putts. With the Sardine Run taking up much of the weekend, members are more than welcome to play social golf after the last tee time on Saturday and Sunday, which will be about 11.30am.
For information on the Sardine Run, go to www.sardinegolf.co.za or UGC’s website www.umkomaasgolf.co.za . – click on the “fishy ” button.
