The Enrico show in Ladysmith

It was the week before Christmas when, all through the club, not a person was stirring – not even in the pub.

The beer mugs were hung by the chimney with care, in the hope that Santa would fill them with beer. The members were all nestled, snug in the shed, while visions of great rounds danced in their head. When out on the course, there arose such a clatter that they sprang from their chairs to see what was the matter. They flew to the door like a flash, tore open the curtains and drew up the sash.

When, what should appear, to gladden our hearts, a large group of men with their clubs tied to their carts. With a little old driver sipping a Fanta, they knew in a moment it must be Santa. As they drew their heads around, into the club came Steve with a bound. He had a broad face and a big round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl of jelly. In his hand he had the competition list, for which the members gave a hearty cheer, drank their beer and spoke of putts missed (my apologise to Clement Clarke Moore and his poem ‘A visit from St Nick).

However, the peace and quiet of the club was soon ruptured, with its full calendar of events for December, golf had the club captured. There were formats to suit all golfers of different shapes and sizes, but with all the results (too many to mention), I can only say there were a few surprises. First up was the Club day, which saw the “Italian Mafia” of Enrico Bozza and Andrea Sirchia out-hustle, out-muscle and generally just ride roughshod over the rest of the mob. Rory Sanders and Gerald Boardman were not to be intimidated by these tactics and with two better shots they could have ended as heads of the family.

Further back in the field were Wayne Bentley and Roy Gibbons in a very credible third spot. The Shaun of the Sheep day saw Corné Stevens frolic his way to a very good win over none other than our resident daily practising professional Enrico Bozza. The Chicken Run day produced weather more favourable for our ducks, which had a marvellous time splish-splashing on the dams, and was unfortunately called off. This still did not stop some of the golf addicts of the club squeezing in a round.

The Pink Panther Mystery partner game produced some puzzling results, with Enrico “Cloussau” Bozza winning not only the IPS competition but also the mystery partner better-ball when he drew Willie Erasmus for a partner. People were asking “How does he do it?”, to which someone said, “He was playing like a bomb”. When asked “What kind of bomb?”, the answer came back “An exploding kind”. Gerald “the Chief Inspector” Boardman had to settle for second again, with Murray Hume in third. Rory Sanders and Thokozane Dladla finished second, with Dave Salmond and Hennie Muller in third in the better-ball format for the day.

The Mixed Rules was won by Roy and Luke Gibbons from (you guessed it) Enrico Bozza and Andrea Sirchia. Well played, Luke, who shot an 87 his best round ever. They say the more you play, the better and luckier you get. Well, this certainly applies to Enrico Bozza who, by no surprise, happened to win the FNB Skaap Dag, with Patrick Pieterse following him home. According to Enrico, luck has nothing to do with it; it’s all skill. Nora Simpson and Willie Erasmus had nothing to beef about, as they were first and second respectively in the Beef Day competition. The final competition of the year was the Green Keepers Revenge, which saw Pier re-configure the course with some interesting pin placings, tee boxes positions and scatterings of discarded equipment around the greens.

So well did he set the course up that it took revenge on him more than most. Enrico was away for the day, which opened up the field to the possibility of having some new faces on the podium. As it turned out, another familiar name of Willie Erasmus popped up all over prize-giving when he won the competition, with Owen Newton nearest the pin on the 12th and shared the two-club with an ecstatic Claire Cook. Gerald Boardman and Peter Landsdale took second spot, with Dave Salmond and Roy Gibbons in third.

Ettienne de Pindray and Gerald Boardman were the other novelty prize winners.

Well done to Enrico and to the rest of the winners, and thanks to all who made the effort of playing in the various competitions over the festive period. To those who managed to beat Enrico, a special well done and may you savour that victory for years to come.

Thanks to all who helped with sponsoring – it is really appreciated. We trust that the New Year brings you all great happiness and may your wishes and dreams be realised.

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