Natalie, Russell crowned champions at Umkomaas
With rounds split over Saturday and Sunday, players were required to adjust their games from the near-perfect conditions on the first day to howling winds on day two.
Another successful Club Championships was hosted at Umkomaas this past weekend and competitors could not have asked for better course conditions.
With rounds split over Saturday and Sunday, players were required to adjust their games from the near-perfect conditions on the first day to howling winds on day two.
A special note must be made of Simon van den Bosch, Umkomaas GC’s longest serving active member, who competed in his 50th club champs this weekend.
The men’s A division competitors suffered the worst of the windy conditions, teeing off last when gusts were reaching 40km/h.
Consistency proved to be key with reigning champion, Russell Heine, retaining his trophy with two rounds of 78.
Best Nett in the A Division went to day one leader, Viv Naicker who finished with 137 nett.
The B Division champion is Christopher Pillay whose lead on day one provided enough cushion to secure the win (171 gross) despite a struggle on day two.
Best Nett in B Division was awarded to Kuben Naidoo who finished 147 nett.
Dave Robertson was crowned C Division champion with 187 gross. Don Bradshaw’s nett 146 saw him in the prizes, too.
The D Division played Stableford, and Alan Hogg was crowned champion with 70 points over the two days.
The ladies championship was a ding-dong battle that required eight extra holes to decide a winner.
Natalie Singer managed to overcome a four-shot round one deficit and a birdie on the eighteenth forced the play-off with Sabiha Hulley.
The ladies played excellent golf over the four play-off holes (1, 2, 17 and 18) and finished level again, requiring them to make the loop for a second time.
Natalie took a one-shot lead on the fifth play-off hole, but an excellent par on the second by Sabiha pulled things level once again.
Heading down the 18th tied the ladies once again had it all to play for.
Natalie clearly had the measure of the eighteenth hole and secured the win with a tap in five after narrowly missing another birdie on the last.
The ladies have a friendly rivalry with this being Natalie’s 12th club championship win, but the first since 2015 with Sabiha having taken the honours since then.
The two will pair up this coming weekend as number ones for the South Coast Region Mkuhla team in the first of the 2021 KZN Inter-region matches to be played at Victoria Country Club.
The Ladies B Division was won by Bridget Lee who played consistent golf to win by one shot from Evija McKelvey, and another shot from Sue Boucher in third place. Sue took top honours with Best Nett overall for the ladies with 153 nett.
A special thank you needs to be made to Devlyn Fraser and Jacques Kirstein who led the greens team to produce an immaculate course.
Thanks, too, to the tournament committee of Harold Horsley, Graham Coxell and John Webster, and starter Chris Viljoen.
It really was a wonderful championship weekend filled with the #friendliestclub spirit Umkomaas is so well-known for.
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