In memory of Mot Moleele
In January last year, news of his illness, initially, came as a huge concern
Every now and then a golfing personality comes along who breaks a few moulds.
Mot Moleele was one of those.
The first time I remember seeing him was on the 7th tee at Port Shepstone Country Club, during the Beekman Classic, some years ago.
We were waiting to tee off and next thing, a ball came flying through the trees and ended up behind one of the nearby aloes.
“Unplayable, impossible shot,” we all said. “Should be fun to watch though.”
The ball’s arrival was soon followed by this flamboyant character.
He now had to hit a miracle shot over very tall trees.
It was kind of one of those ‘here, hold my beer’ moments.
Mot, cigarette hanging on his lip, took one look at the ball, grabbed a club – much to the caddy’s dismay and disbelief – and had a hearty hack at it.
The club hit the ground, a chunk of turf landed on the aloe, and the ball squirted off into the safety and sanctuary of the nearby rough.
We all had a good laugh and off he went to join his fourball.
But that was Mot, always trying the impossible and never backing down from a challenge.
Over the years I came to know him as a fierce competitor, tough as nails and never afraid to speak his mind.
This ruffled some feathers along the way, for sure, but all in all, he cared deeply about people, his family, and of course, golf.
He was a magistrate by profession, although you wouldn’t necessarily have believed it at first sight.
He spoke often about his family and particularly enjoyed captaining Port Shepstone Country Club to victory in the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Handicap League in 2017.
Matchplay was definitely his game, followed by a cold beverage and conversation with mates and opponents.
On another occasion, I’m not sure who was more surprised when we bumped into each other at a Grade R open day at Izotsha Primary a few years ago.
Our respective children were in the same class and I suspect we were the two oldest fathers there that day.
In January last year, news of his illness, initially, came as a huge concern.
We’d all had been expecting him to play in the Southern KZN Closed. Typically, he was up for the challenge, even from his hospital bed.
But then came the shocking news of his sudden death on January 23.
It’s been just over a year now and a memorial day, long in the planning, finally took place at Port Shepstone Country Club recently, ably organised by Sidney Shingange.
Unfortunately, this clashed with a premier league game at Umhlali Country Club and I missed it, but I think Mot would have understood.
The inaugural winners on the day, which was sponsored by Umthunzi Hotel & Conference, were Paul Geoffery and Nick Wattrus.
Reports from Sidney suggest there was a positive turnout and a good atmosphere on the day.
I’m pleased to hear from Sidney that it will be an annual event, set for the end of January.
Rest in peace, Mot, you are missed.
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