A surprise visit for a blind golfer

Bra Hawks, the legendary Tembisa veteran golfer who has gone blind, got a surprise visit at his Isitshama Section home on October 27.

His real name is Meshack Baloyi, and from the look of things, he has not been forgotten.

Tembisa Golf Club golfers arrived at his house to find him wearing a tie and a jacket in a manner that befits an honorary member of the club. He epitomises the true spirit of etiquette as expected of anyone playing golf.

Blind as he is, he was able to welcome every golfer who came. He was in high spirits, and it seemed, in good space as well, when he welcomed the visitors.

Bra Hawks, as he is affectionately known in golf circles, and among friends, has been a long-time member of the Tembisa Golf Club.

Also instrumental in making golf attractive to the youngsters. He has seen the sport transform their lives, turn them into good human beings, valuable to their communities.

The past weekend of October 27 there was emptiness at the Ebuhleni golfing facility. Nobody went there to play. Golfers, instead, converged at his home, to pay a special tribute to him, also to enjoy and share good moments of fun and laughter with him.

Another veteran. Super veteran Reuben Motsomotso was there to share light moments and jokes with Bra Hawks.

James Mdidimba spearheaded the visit to the great man. Many golfers came to share a memorable time with Bra Hawks. Graciously, he thanked everyone who came to make it memorable for Bra Hawks. He showered praises on Bra Hawks’family for being welcoming and friendly to the golfers. It was, in the end, the open hearts of golfers, the hospitable attitude of the Baloyi’s and the honourable nature of Bra Hawks himself that gave everyone a great experience on the day.

“Never shall it ever be left to chance to let one of our own enjoy God’s mercy and grace without us also contributing by being there for them. In the end, it is our hope as golfers that through God’s mercy Bra Hawks will one day regain his sight and join us in our Ebuhleni and Kempton Park tournaments,” said the Tembisa Golf Club general secretary, Benjamin Monyanyedi.

But Sunday of October 28, golfers were back on the fairways at Kempton Park Country Club to compete in the final major competition of the year.

The American Scramble competition which is a better ball event saw more than 50 golfers taking part.

This was at the tough and daunting Kempton Park Country Club. The event was sponsored by Langalibalele Radebe who is also a member of Tembisa Golf Club. Since this was a partnership event, Themba Mazibuko and Bernstein Ndlovu fired a gross score of 64, only to be matched by a father-and-son partnership of the talented young Lebo Makume and his father, Benny.

Their brilliant scoring of 64 meant a tie and therefore a playoff will take place on a date to be decided by the club.

There were a lot of players tied for both 3rd and 4th as first and second will be decided by those going into the playoff.

The trophies will be handed after the playoff which will be a sudden death, also to be played at Kempton Park Country Club.

Bernstein Ndlovu who has been playing brilliantly of late, and partner Themba Mazibuko, are firm favourites to win the playoff.

The Makumes are well known for striking the golf ball hard and long so the playoff will be very interesting.