One hundred and twenty-eight generous golfers teed off for underprivileged children at Umhlali Country Club (UCC) on Thursday.

The ladies packed out the club to raise R45 000 for The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund at the UCC Ladies Charity Golf Day. Thirty-two fourballs, comprising players from around KZN, hit the North Coast to participate in the Putts, Pearls and Polka Dots medal and putts scramble drive competition.

Sharon Bower, Estelle Elliott, Elmarie Brett and Carol Chamberlain of the ‘Salt Rock Dotters’ took home first prize with 88 points. Shelee Payne, Shaz Milstead, Ann Palmer and Jen Burnill of the ‘Cruella de Vil Dalmatians’ also scored 88 points but finished second.

Third place went to Camelot Country Club members Gill Vermaak, Alet Minnaar, Marg van Dyker and Edith Sturgeon from Hillcrest. ‘The Camelot Dots’ scored 86 points.

Shalene Edy, Lynley Watson, Lauran Cullen and Tanya Adams of ‘The Sparkly Pearls’ from Mount Edgecombe Country Club also carded 86 to take fourth place.

UCC ladies’ golf captain, Joan Solms, was delighted with the funds raised in the tournament raffle for a fourball – complete with golf carts – to play at the new Ernie Els golf course at Zimbali Lakes.

“This is a huge win for the Orphan Fund,” she said. “We are truly thankful to all the sponsors who made this event possible, and grateful for everybody’s generosity.”

Chairperson of the Orphan Fund, Pieter Naudé, thanked the ladies for their generosity and UCC for hosting the charity day.

He noted that since 2003, more than R7-million has been raised by the charity, but there is always more that can be done.

“The funds do not go to one specific orphanage. Rather, our organisation is a conduit for different charities and beneficiaries – people who do a lot in our community for orphans and vulnerable children.

The Orphan Fund targets three areas: Education; feeding – which is one of the biggest needs – and, thirdly, special projects, where we help to build a structure, acquire a vehicle or collect clothing,” he said.

• Note: This article differs from the original print and online version. The amount raised was updated from R25 000 to R45 000 as the initial figure only included raffle receipts. Online article updated June 10, 2025.

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