UGC’s cancer challenger golfers bow out

By P Utter

AT LAST, spring is in the air as thankfully, the days are getting longer and warmer.

It’s the best time of the year.

With the recent rains KZN has experienced, Umkomaas Golf Course (UGC) is looking really good, with new growth everywhere. It’s time to celebrate the onset of summer and shed the winter woolies and the persistent sniffles. Happy Spring Day, everyone.

This weekend, two of UGC’s girls went up to Kloof Golf Club to play in the regional finals of the Sanlam Cancer Challenge, with the reward of a trip to Sun City to play in the absolute final on 10 and 11 October. Unfortunately, both Annette Gillett and Linda Toward, kind of lost the plot on the second nine holes – although the scribe was reliably informed that Annette was doing quite well on the first nine holes. So basically, Sun City is out for UGC’s girls this year but who knows what will happen next year.

Wednesday was the inevitable individual stableford competition which was won by Michelle van der Merwe, counting out Bing Opie into second place, both on 41 points. Dave Kemp took third prize with 40 points and scooping the last prize on offer was Fred Welch on 39 points.

Last Saturday, UGC hosted the Cadac sponsored day, organised by Matt Hamer who supplied all the wonderful prizes. There were almost 80 players on the day with 29 visitors, 12 of whom were from Bluff Golf Club. The club thanks all, both members and visitors alike, for their participation in making last Saturday such a tremendous success. The winners of the better ball competition were Rob Finlay and Johan Hugo on 49 excellent points, followed by Jacques Kirstein and his partner, Derek Airey in second spot, counting out Michelle van der Merwe and Simon van den Bosch into third place, both teams with 45 points. Taking fourth slot was Deneys Williamson and John Thompson, on their own, with 44 points. Fighting for a place in the prizes and taking fifth place were Mike Cromhout and Saga Reddy, counting out the Hesom’s, Selwyn and Annabelle into last place, both teams on 43 points. Nearest the pin on the 4th hole were Michelle van der Merwe and Derek Airey was the closest to the pin on the 13th hole. Mark Bingham was closest to the pin in two shots on the 5th hole. There were numerous two-clubs – 10 in all – congratulations to you all.

Next Saturday, 3 September will be the Toyota monthly medal competition for both the guys and the girls. On Sunday, 4 September there will be a small group playing between 7am and 8am. Call the club for details on 039-973-1042.

As always, the “Gerries” play on Tuesday and Fridays, meeting at 6.45am for tee-off at 7am. All are welcome to join them at a reduced green fee rate. Also on a Friday, but in the afternoon from around 3pm is the six-pin competition. Anyone who can play golf is more than welcome to join in the fun. On Saturdays between 8am and 9am, it’s time for KidzGolf with Devlyn, Lindani and Mike in attendance. Take the children along to learn how to play this wonderful game.

The club is developing a new website which will be ready for action in a few weeks. Be patient as UGC makes this change with many thanks to previous webmaster, Graham Steyn, who made information available on the existing website week after week for many years. The new website promises to have as much, if not more information when it is launched. The present website is still available at www.umkomaasgolf.co.za – notice of any changes will be made in the local press.