Another very successful Estcourt Open was played over the weekend. The golf started on Friday and three great days of good weather and under par golf brought old friends together.

Old friends travelled from all over to participate in this tournament that brings golfers together. A special mention was made to Tony Venton who has relocated from Estcourt but travels every year to play in the Estcourt Open. He was given Honourary Life membership to Estcourt Golf Club. This is in recognition of his 30 years of support and involvement in the Estcourt Open.

On Friday, we started with a Four Ball Alliance (three scores to count). 46 golfers played. They then enjoyed an excellent meal after the game. The course played very well after all the rain.

Results:
First place were Rod Ally, Juel Harvey, Dave Diedrick and Craig Sass.
In second place were Gordon Smith, Greg McBey, Lional Laatz and Paddy Geraty.
Thank you to Orange Grove Dairies who sponsored each player a prize.

On Saturday a Betterball Stableford competition was played with the main sponsor Eskort Limited awarding prizes down to ninth position.

Results:
First place were George van Niekerk and Clayton Mansfield.
Second place were Don Pillay and Sam Sewsunker.
In third place were Gordon Smith and Lional Laatz.

On Sunday, the main tournament was played over 36 holes, an individual medal. Golfers travelled from across the country to test their ability on the Estcourt Golf Course.

The defending champion, Clayton Mansifield from Durban travelled with other players from Durban, Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands.
Special thanks to our supporters from Johannesburg who make the trip every year. The morning round started off well with Graham Dickinson from MGC equalling the course record with a six under par 66, setting the early pace.

As the day warmed up towards the afternoon, the legs and shoulders got a little tired, but the eventual winner Lindilani Ndwandwe, was consistent with a 69 (-3) and 70 (-2) over the two rounds.

Thank you to Eskort Limited who provided the golfers with lovely wors rolls for lunch and rib burgers for supper.

A Division winners:
First – Lindilani Ndwandwe 139 (-5).
Second – Vusumuzi Ntanzi 1540 (-4).
Third – Trevor Livesey 141 (-3).

B Division winners:
First – Mark Nero 160.
Second – Muziwakhe Dlamini 161.
Third – Lucas Mlotshwa 162.

Special mention must be made to the course staff for preparing and having the course in excellent condition. The scoring contributes to that as five of the A Division players were all under par for the two rounds.

Thank you to Wynand Nel from Eskort Limited and his team for not only their sponsorship but also for the involvement and interaction with the players over the weekend. We hope to see Ryno Britton taking up his clubs more often.

To all the officials and committee members and other sponsors, a very special thanks for a very successful weekend of golf.