By P Utter
FANTASTIC news coming out of Umkomaas Golf Club (UGC) last weekend, 12 March saw congratulations go to Sabiha Bacaus, who, with her army of club and family supporters, played in the KZNGLU Championships at Kloof Country Club last Sunday.
She edged her way through her opponents over 36 holes of strokeplay, defeating all of them to get to the matchplay semi-finals on Monday and Tuesday.
Sabiha played Kim Strauss from Port Shepstone (a real southern Natal shoot-out) in the semi-final, once again over 36 holes, to go two up at the end of the final round to become the silver division KZNLGU matchplay champion. In Sabiha’s own words: “It was like Kloof was the Colosseum and I was a gladiator.”
Many congratulations to Sabiha from every UGC member – the club is so proud of your achievement – you are a true champion.
On to the more mundane results of the week, Wednesday’s competition was the usual individual stableford – and it was the turn of club captain, Barrie Taylor to take home the winner’s prize with his 38 points. Alwyn Stander was in second spot on 36 points with Chris Viljoen in third place on his 35 points. Apologies to all members living in the Toti and Warner Beach area who avidly read the South Coast Sun for the non-appearance of last week’s report – an oversight.
Last Saturday’s alliance league is always a popular and well supported competition. Vice captain, Graham Coxell welcomed visitors Nigel Henson, Jaco Botha and Dave Rickards to the competition at prize-giving. During the afternoon, a rather strong wind blew through, upsetting even the most stoic players but despite the breeze, the competition finished in great spirits.
The winning team this month were ‘The Chancers’ – Deneys Williamson, John Thompson, Graham Coxell and Mike Harvard on a collective winning score of 89 points. In second place were ‘The Blue Brothers (and a Sista)’ – their team consisting of Devlyn Fraser, Natalie Singer, Norman Mackay and Joe Mkhungo, three shots behind the winners on 86 points, on a count out from third placed Gregg Andersson, Machiel Uys, Nigel Henson and Jaco Botha, also on 86 points.
The jackpot was won by Mike Harvard with 11 points but the hidden birdie on the 12th hole will be carried over to next weekend. There was only one, hard-fought two-club, due to the gusty wind, and that was from Deneys Williamson on the ninth. Vesa Suhonen stayed for prize-giving and took home his prize in the ‘non-skilled dept’, the attendance draw.
This Saturday, 25 March is the 4BBB stableford with social golf on Sunday, 26 March before 7am or after 8am onwards. Also happening on Sunday is the Sunday school bash, which starts loosely at around 11am – contact Nelson on 082-428-9000. Not forgetting the craft market and car boot early on Sunday morning in the car park. Have a browse around, as there could be something you may like such as home-made jams, pickles, wooden toys plus a whole lot of ‘other stuff’ for you to look through at your leisure.
Sonny’s fundraising day is creeping up, next month to be exact. A gentle reminder (again) that prizes, donations and so on are still needed to make Sonny’s day. Bearing in mind that the competition is a betterball, therefore only two prizes are needed to make a difference. Thank you to members who have already pledged prizes or donations to the day, the support is appreciated.
The ‘Gerries’ play early morning golf on Tuesdays and Fridays, meeting at 6.30am on the first tee box. Contact Graham on 083-325-5705 or Keith on 083-305-5740.
On Fridays there is six-pin in the afternoons (sometimes there is a braai afterwards). For braai details, call Peter on 083-417-9766.
Also KidzGolf is going very strongly – thanks to the encouragement of coach Devlyn and his assistant Mike. All children are welcome down at the club between 8am and 9am on a Saturday morning (during the school term only) to learn about golf.
Once again, congratulations to Sabiha Bacaus, Umkomaas’ very own KZNLGU silver division matchplay champion – everyone is absolutely delighted at your win last weekend.
UGC’s news, photos and updates can be found at www.umkomaasgolf.co.za