The Jock of the Bushveld Tournament is said to not be just another golf tournament, but a meeting where friendships are made and renewed, some spanning over 20 years.

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This rang true when the Lowveld’s biggest golf club, Mbombela, hosted the 52nd instalment of the largest and most coveted golf tournament last week.

The course was in pristine condition, with well manicured fairways and the greens running true despite being hammered by golf balls.

According to the CEO of the club, Darren Plumb, Jock has not only survived since the early days, but has prospered and since 1969 the tournament has been oversubscribed each year. Currently approximately 1 283 rounds of golf are played over the week by 240 competitors and it is reputed to be the largest amateur tournament of its kind in the world.

Slimkoppe maak al die regte skuiwe by skaak interhoër

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then it speaks volumes that even with the advent of the Barberton Daisy, the Lalapalm, the Kameeldoring and numerous other similar tournaments, the Jock retains its reputation for being the best.

The tournament originated in 1967 when JJ van Rensburg and Rip Riphagen created a new topic of conversation in the pub at the Nelspruit Golf Club – a place where most bright ideas originate. Lively discussion ensued among the men for many a memorable evening with major contributions from Christo Basson and Ken Myers and the concept of Jock was born.

The idea was taken to committee where it was met with very mixed feelings, however, months of pub discussions had armed the proponents of Jock with very persuasive arguments and the tournament became official.
The first Jock was played from Thursday to Sunday and consisted of two 18-hole competitions each day with the 36-hole Lowveld Open on the Sunday.

In 1969 Jock was extended to include Wednesday. It was not unusual in those early years for players to be called to the tee for the afternoon competition while still battling up the 18th hole of the morning round.
In 1973 the tournament was changed to its present format, including the Tuesdays from 1977 and the Monday from 1981.

Source: www.nelspruitgolfclub.co.za/