Golfing in support of charity

The Ladysmith Emnambithi Rotary Club sponsored golf day was held on Saturday afternoon, and it was so encouraging to see a full field of 56 golfers turning up to support the event and also to enjoy the pleasant weather conditions. The late-afternoon thunderstorm was fortunately a fair distance away and all the golfers managed to get their 18 holes in before any threat of lightning.

Also, the greens are now really taking shape and the hard work put in by the green-keeping staff is much appreciated by the competing golfers. Another week, or two, and the putting greens will be great!

Some excellent scoring in the Four-Ball Better-Ball competition produced a close finish at the end of the day, with Andrea Sirchia and Nora Simpson romping home with an outstanding score of 48 points, having scored 27 points on the outward nine holes and coming home with 21 points. Well done to these winners, and it is really great to see Nora back in action and playing some good golf again.

Runners-up with 47 points were DP ‘Chonny’ Singh and PN ‘Neal’ Singh. The Diwali celebrations were over by then, so it was time for some good golfing. Third place, on a count-out with 46 points, went to Gerald Boardman and Daryl Davie, pushing Patrick Pieterse and Warren Petersen into fourth spot. ‘Nearest the Pin’ winners were Nora Simpson (3rd), Charles Elworthy (8th), Vernon Naidoo (11th) and Jannie Schuler (12th). The ‘Longest Drive’ (for men) was won by Carla Craffert. Warren Petersen, Charles Elworthy, Vernon Naidoo and Nora Simpson carded two-clubs.

Thanks to the Ladysmith Emnambithi Rotary Club for their excellent sponsorship of this annual fund-raising event. All the golfers were happy to support their efforts in supporting local charities.

President Steve Tandy was persuaded to play his first-ever 18-hole golf competition and he seemed to enjoy the company and some parts of the course that most have yet to visit. Hopefully the bug will bite and we will see a lot more of Steve on the golf course in future.

The bowling green is “almost” ready for competition play and will be put to the test on Saturday, November 1, for the Siegetown Moths Day. The bowls competition will be played as tabs-in, with the draw at 1pm for 1.30pm play. There will be two games, with a break for tea. Entry lists are on the notice board at the club and at the Moth Club, so get in soon. Saturday’s golf competition is the Siegetown Moths Four-Ball Better-Ball event. Entry lists are on the notice board and again we look forward to a good turnout.

The Halloween ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ dinner and “party” is on Friday, October 31, and tickets are on sale at the club. R120 per person includes dinner and surely some great antics and fun. Dress-up is not essential, but there must be a few exhibitionists around to ensure that the theme will be a roaring success. I am led to believe that the entire stock of fish-net stockings in Ladysmith has already been sold out and some members have to go out of town to make sure they get theirs.

The golf Business League, sponsored by Ferobrake, gets underway on Thursday, November 6. Team lists are on the notice board. The LCC Mixed Trips bowls tournament, sponsored by Ntokozweni Developers, takes place on Sunday, November 16 (three games of 12 ends). Entry lists are on the notice board, so get your teams together soon, as we can only accommodate 12 teams in total. The finals of the Mortimer Toyota Golf League are scheduled for Sunday, November 23, and the draw for the team tee-off times is on the notice board.

The Friday ‘100 Club’ draw was won by Leon Petersen, who was there to receive his winnings and thereby leave a mere grand and a half for this Friday’s final weekly draw. The 100 Club draw will now be a monthly draw, from the last Friday in November.