Bring on the Eastern Cape and Nation’s Best
As I write this newsletter, EPGU has to make a decision!
The weather for the remainder of the week and weekend looks good for needed rains and kite-surfing – maybe not for golf. We will be hosting the EP Champs Strokeplay on Saturday afternoon and the start of the Matchplay on Sunday. Having just played in the wind and rain at Humewood where I saw some of the hopefuls, they were begging for either respite in the weather or the set-up.
Next week, Wednesday to Friday, 6-8 July, we host the nation’s best junior golfers as they play in the Nomads National Order of Merit with international points on offer! Please come and watch. We have secured times at Humewood and other courses while we are closed.
Speaking of Humewood, I was honoured to play in the Vodacom Origins of Golf Pro-Am for two days – I played with one ball and helped (a little). Luke Jerling and I were respectable after the first round but we struggled in the rain. Having said that, the course at Humewood was maybe the best I have ever seen it. Proper links fairways, tight and running, were complemented by the firm, fast greens. Humewood IS South Africa’s pure links and it deserves the accolades it receives. I would play there every day I’m not playing here!
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- What wind
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- World-class
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- Ah, he’s short again!
I think I played one approach shot “in the air”. The rest of the shots were landed shot and allowed to run up. I putted from off the surface and used wedges to 8 iron. I refer to my approach shots because most of the par-4’s into the wind, I couldn’t reach! My 3-rescue and I were best friends. Luke Jerling and Michael Palmer (our pros) played to +1 and even-par today in a day that was tough. Leader, Tristen Strydom, went out early and posted 4-under. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the low score overall, come Saturday!
The Ladies’ Invitational (Member/Guest) will be played on the 16 of October and we expect our best field ever. Who will get their names on the Champion’s Board this year?
Member’s Meeting regarding the upcoming PGA Championship. All who wish to be involved with the PGA Championship from 1-7 November, please notify the golf shop and join us at 9:30 am on 4 October. We are looking for hosts (accommodation), marshalls and shuttle drivers for the event. Maybe you can assist one day or all days and enjoy the great golf at the same time!
The Links Cup came down to the last matches!
Captains, Tom Grimsley (Int) and Rita DuPlessis (SA) faced off in the singles early to set the stage on the final day of play. With 40 playing on Sunday, there were 20 points up for grabs. After leading 10 1/2 – 9 1/2 on Day One, The South Africans found themselves all square with the Internationals with three matches on the course. Then Hein Spangenberg (3-0), Deandre Dreyer and Danie Cronjé all won their matched for SA and that was that. John Joubert, playing in his first Links Cup was undefeated on the weekend as were Lynn Slogrove (again), Doug Cornish and Captain Tom (all pictured above)! Final score, SA 22 1/2 and the Internationals 19 1/2.
Highlights of the Week
He’s done it again! With the ink still fresh on the check for acing the 17th, Danie Cronjé has found the cup at the 4th! Playing in the rain, he was the only one who saw it go in. Remaining silent, He walked with his putter to the green and asked the others where his ball was; he knew exactly where it was!
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- Number 6!
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- Number 5!
Dr Danie Cronjé aced the 17th during the Saturday round of the Invitational. After lacing a 6-iron into the Easterly, his ball went straight to the hole! AND HE PAID THE R50 TO RECEIVE R50,000!
Download the Zapper app and take a chance!
Thank you all for caring about your course – #leading the way
The 2021 Calendar and results
We look forward to our sponsored days with ITEC and Selective Lighting/The Fire Works and Pam Golding Properties and Village Square SuperSpar events.
New events – Ladies’ and Men’s Medal will be played on the 1st Wednesday of every month
7-8 Jan Men’s Member-Member Partnership, Mark Ward and Richard Sharwood, Champions
13 Jan ITEC Open Wednesday, Hein Spangenberg and Yan Coesens, 51pts
27 Jan Pam Golding/ Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Hein Spangenberg, Yan Coesens, Daryl vd Vyver and David vd Vyver, 92 Points
3 Feb Monthly MEDAL, Shaun Viljoen and Lynn Slogrove
10 Feb ITEC Wednesday, Yan Coesens and Hein Spangenberg, 47pts
14 Feb Valentine’s Day Dress-up Golf; Gavin and Jaunita Gobby, 41pts
20 Feb Greensomes, Scott Keevy, and Deon Marais, 41 pts
24 Feb Pam Golding/ Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Simon Haigh, Yan Coesens, Charl Blaauw, Hein Spangenberg, 86pts
3 Mar Monthly MEDAL, Gross – Fred V Eyssen, Nett – Brett Wilson-Jones, 69, Stableford – Hein Spangenberg, 35pts
5 Mar Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun, Graham Botha and Geoff Garratt, 24pts
6-7 Mar Pam Golding Annual – SFL vs SFB, SFB, 37.15 ave, SFL, 36.83 ave (.32 difference)
10 Mar ITEC Wednesday, Charlie Gilmore and Neil Jones, 44pts
20 Mar Foursomes, Dave Micklem and Norman Rock, 40 pts
31 Mar Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Norman Rock, Tim Elliott, Michael Barratt, and Ronnie Nienaber, 81pts
2 Apr Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun, Debbie McCracken and Michael McGahey, 24pts
2-4 Apr Easter Weekend
7 Apr Monthly MEDAL, Rita Du Plessis and Malcolm White
9 Apr Masters Par-3, shotgun at 15h00 (sponsored by Fitch and Leeds), Graham Botha
27-28 Apr Ladies Championships, Medal, Lynn Slogrove (G), Rita DuPlessis (N)
1-2 May Stableford Championships (Men and Ladies) Chris V Rensburg (A), Doug Cornish (B), Dave Hart (C), Lynn Slogrove (A), and Alison Bosch (B)
7 May Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun Ernest and Linda Muller (donated back).
26 May Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Brett Wilson-Jones, Norman Rock, Nico Van Rensburg and Gavin Gobby, 88pts (85%)
29-30 May Pam Golding Ladies’ OPEN Weekend, Jaunita Gobby and Lettie La Grange, 86pts (85%)
2 Jun Monthly MEDAL, Chris V Rensburg, Lynn Slogrove, Lesley Fisher and Carol Boonzaier
4 Jun Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 14h00 shotgun, Lesley Fisher and Gillian Hammond, 22pts c/i
16 Jun Easy Life Kitchens/ Wednesday, Lesley Fisher and Susan Gray, 45pts c/i
23 Jun Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance Noelie Pearson, Jaunita Gobby, Bimpie Olivier and Sue Gray
26 Jun Windhoek Lager International Pairs, Norman Pretorius and Deon Marais
30-3 Jul Nomads National Order of Merit (International Points) Rescheduled for October
7 Jul Monthly MEDAL, Shaun Viljoen, Lynn Slogrove and Alison Bosch – Gross
18-21 Jul 30th Road Trip (PGA Invitational) Rescheduled for November
21 Jul Easy Life Kitchens/ Wednesday – Jaunita Gobby and Bimpie Olivier
28 Jul Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Charlie Gilmour, Neil Mulder, Dave Webber and Mike Anderson
6 Aug Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 14h00 shotgun – Norman Pretorius and Graham Botha
14 Aug Greensomes – Scott Keevy and Martin King
15 Aug Nomads Annual Game
16 – 31 Aug Hollow-tining Spring Programme (Course Closed)
1 Sep Monthly MEDAL, Izzy Obray, Gillian Hammond, Scott Keevy
7 Sep Colony Challenge – Gillian Hammond and Debbie McCracken
8 Sep Warwick Wealth / Wednesday – Chris van Rensburg and Nic van Rensburg
10 Sep Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun – Sally Nienaber and Barry Phillips
15 Sep Easy Life Kitchens/ Wednesday – Steve Emary and John Hanley
17-19 Sep Men’s 15th Invitational Member/Guest, Tony Gunton and Mark Fensham
25-26 Sep Links Cup (Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits) South Africa 22 1/2 – 19 1/2
2/3 Oct EP Champs (course closed in the pm)
6-8 Oct Nomads National Order of Merit (rescheduled from July)
9/10 Oct EP Champs Matchplay finals
16 Oct Ladies’ Invitational
20 Oct Easy Life Kitchens / Wednesday