By P Utter
AS the festive season approaches, all thoughts are on the holidays and what to do during this Christmas period.
Umkomaas Golf Club (UGC) has come up with some wonderful ideas for visitors to the club, with different specials on different days.
The normal Wednesday and Saturday competitions will still apply, which visitors are more than welcome to play in. On offer are cash back vouchers, making up a four ball for R1,000 which will include two carts and a six-pack of beers plus a few more interesting specials for golfers to explore. Contact the club office to find out what is available on 039-973-1042 to suit your golfing needs. Also on special is for any youngsters 18 and under who will only pay R20 per round (terms and conditions apply).
Last Wednesday the usual individual stableford was played in near perfect weather. The winner was Mike Harvard on 36 points with Jimmy Pickavance taking the second prize with 35 points.
On Saturday, 26 November, it was the ‘manager’s special’ competition and considering a few members were down at the Wild Coast, the competition was well supported by the remaining local members. Club captain, Barrie Taylor welcomed visitor Zee Mdadwe to the competition which was a fourball betterball stableford. The winners, who usually play on Wednesdays, were Dudley Pringle and Piet Vermaak on 47 points, three points ahead of their nearest rivals Bruce Sutcliffe and Kuben Naidoo in second spot with 44 points. Nelson Moonsamy and Jeff Govender took the third place, also three shots off Bruce and Kuben, with 41 points. Well done to all the players, it was a perfect day so there were no excuses for bad golf.
The jackpot was won by Bruce Sutcliffe on 11 points but the hidden birdie (13th hole) will be carried over to next weekend. There were only two two-clubs, both on the 4th hole – one by Jimmy Spear; the other by Kuben Naidoo. The attendance draw was scooped up by Sean Prendergast.
Next Saturday, 3 December is the Toyota monthly medal combined with a tombstone competition. It is also John Gillett’s turn to say farewell to all members as he too, leaves South Africa with Damian and Tazzie to join Annette in the UK. Back to the monthly medal, this will be played in the normal way with the tombstone competition added on for a bit of fun. The concept of the game will be explained before play. On Sunday, 4 December it will be social golf, so call to book a tee time on 039-973-1042.
On Saturday, 10 December it’s the fourball Christmas alliance as well as the big draw for the R10,000 first prize in the evening. The time sheet is filling up rapidly for this competition, so booking a tee time is essential. This is the culmination of the last 12 months of selling tickets for the draw and also the end-of-year bash. The women’s section sponsors the prizes for this competition and they are guaranteed to be fabulous. There will be light entertainment in the evening for everyone to enjoy and loads of friendship and camaraderie to wallow in as well. A fun evening all round. The club’s only number is 039-973-1042.
Let’s not forget the ‘Geriatrics’ who play on Tuesdays and Fridays only, quite early in the mornings as they meet at 6.30am for an early start. All visitors are welcome to join this intrepid bunch of guys at a special green fee rate of R70 a round. Contact Graham on 083-325-5705 or Keith on 083-305-5740.
On Friday afternoons, starting at 3pm, there is a small competition consisting of only six holes, called six-pin. The cost of playing as a visitor is R30 and score cards can be collected from one of the barmen on duty. This is also great fun as you only have six holes to prove a point. No booking is necessary for this compo so go on down and enjoy the afternoon with friends.
UGC’s website is fully functional now with all news, green fee rates and specials. Find it at www.umkomaasgolf.co.za
