Which came first, the golf or the club?

With the big 50th Anniversary weekend fast approaching, it was decided to give all our sponsors a well-deserved break this week and host a club sponsored day.

For all the high-tech wizards with smart phones, or the more old-fashioned of us who still use a diary, or those who would rather rely on their memories, don’t forget that the Gee Jays will be performing at the club on Friday the 27th of this month. One can order a full chicken, chips, rolls and sauces (serves four) from the club (enquire at the club about the price) or bring your own.

There will be cash bars available; NO LIQUOR will be allowed to be brought onto the premises.

The Gee Jays have been around for over 30 years and will be performing their new revue, “That’s When the Trouble Started”, so get your table or tickets booked early from the club on 036-637-3521.

The words “club” and “golf” often instil fear in the mind of a person, especially if your partner is keen on either one of them.

But which came first – the game or the club? The game of golf, or a variation thereof, was played in the times of Julius Caesar, but it was only in 1457 that the form of playing 18 holes was developed in Scotland.

The word “golf” is derived from the Dutch word “colf”, which means a stick or club, and Kolven was a sport played with a stick and ball. The Dutch word “klaver” is a club at cards, and apparently the word for a social club was developed from this around 1620.

These two words (golf and club) are much interwoven and whether this was intentional or coincidence, one will never be sure. There are many examples of this phenomenon, of which we shall list a few.

The golf ball is wound tight with rubber, whereas the club is a place to unwind, get tight and turn to rubber. One plays golf with a club, while going to the club to play golf.

In golf, one has a ball and plays with a club. After golf, one plays and has a ball at the club. Without a club, you cannot play golf. Without golf, you cannot have a club. After golf, one can get into a bit of a rough situation at a club – whereas, during golf, one needs a club to get out of a rough situation.

After nearly 40 years of beating a ball senseless with a club for five hours and 18 holes, a Scotsman golfer in 1494 came up with a much easier solution to calm his nerves and ease his frustrations… He discovered Whisky!

Unfortunately, it took him nearly 160 years to find out that it would be much nicer if he had a club to sit in with his mates, have a drink and relax after a round of golf.

It was a further 250 years plus before the term “round of drinks” became a popular bar feature after golf. This was certainly not founded in Scotland and, in fact, no one is sure if this popular social pastime has even reached Scotland.

The club day saw a number of relaxed golfers out and about enjoying an afternoon of fun and friendship on the course. The format was a combined better-ball where both players’ scores count to the total, and has in the past been known to spoil a friendship or two.

However, that was not the case, as all the players seemed to be very happy when they arrived back at the clubhouse.

So relaxed was the day that the captain was seen jacket-less (like many at Augusta on Sunday) for prize-giving.
Two, who were absolutely ecstatic and romped home to win, were Marinus Pretorius and Dolf Pollard (second last week), with the good doctor prescribing the right game plan that only a chemist like Dolf could read and dispense with perfection.

Vernon and Pam Sanders are still speaking to each other, as they came in second, with the two “bullets” (Peter Landsdale and Patrick Pieterse) showing good form for the Mortimer Toyota league in third. The ‘nearest the pin’ winners were Marinus and Gerald Boardman, with Corné Stevens, Dries Slabbert and Mr J Mlotshwa taking the two-club money.

Thanks to all who come out week after week to play and to those who help sponsor the club days – it is really much appreciated. Well done to all this week’s winners and we look forward to seeing all at the club’s big anniversary bash at month-end.

WHAT’S ON AT THE CLUB:
14th – SPRINGBOK LODGE MUG; 15th – HARRISMITH CHALLENGE; 21st – CLUB MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS (list is on the notice board); 27th and 28th – CLUB’S BIG 50th ANNIVERSARY BASH.

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