Dispute on the golf course

An 81-year-old golfer has labelled the club’s committee biased, especially when it comes to awarding senior members prizes. Speaking out against the golf results published in the Estcourt News on August 12, the golfer says that the results were incorrect, explaining that he should’ve taken first place for that competition, he substantiated that it was not the first time that the reported results were incorrect.

“We asked one of the people in charge about how the scores work and he told us to play on our handicap. We also go by the computer at the club, which we were instructed to do. If this is the case, then I was misled because we were told to play on the handicap but my score was cut,” explained the resident.

Adamant that the winners names and scores of the August 6 monthly mug was not a true reflection, the resident challenged the golf club committee to explain themselves via the media.

“Every time the seniors win, they come out with excuses. Who is right? The computer or the committee? I tried to talk to the club captain but he was very rude. They don’t give any answers or explanation, besides saying ‘it’s club rules’. This looks like a racist problem,” said the upset elderly golfer.

Competition Secretary George van Niekerk explained that senior players who played off the ladies tee box immediately forfeited four shots off their score. This, he said, was a directive from the Natal Golfer’s Union, which was explained to all club members.

“A golfer can’t play off their handicap if they are playing from the ladies’ tee.  Although we did not permit this before, it was decided this year, we would reintroduce it but explained to the players that they would forfeit four shots,” explained Mr van Niekerk.

He has requested a meeting with the golfer in order to explain the rules but this was refused by the golfer, who wanted a response via the Estcourt News.