Beekman Classic a hit
The course was in great condition and the scores reflected this.
THERE was some fantastic golf produced at the two-day Beekman Classic played at Port Shepstone Country Club last weekend.
The winners were Emmanuel Mseleku and Wellington Mkhize who had a pair of 48s for 96 points. On the Saturday they had three one pointers and their winning charge appeared to be losing momentum, but they turned it around with birdies at the 13th, 14th and 15th, followed by three pars on the way in. They holed some monstrous putts, an indication of how good the greens are at the moment.
While Emmanuel, with his Hennie Otto lookalike swing, was a bit erratic, Wellington had one of the games of his life, returning a 77 off his 13 handicap in windy conditions. It was some effort.
Club captain Roy Matkovich and Jimmy Parsons, better known for his pavement pounding abilities, were second on 93 points.
Jonathan Naidoo and the fluid swinging Ganes Munsami were third on 91 points, just edging out Koko Zithumane and Ronnie Mtshaka who had 90 points. On the Friday, Ronnie produced six birdies (five on the back nine) to shoot 72 off his three handicap.
Fifth place went to Sanjay ‘Jim Furyk’ Singh and Ronnie Naidoo on 86 points. After that there was a bun fight for positions.
Five pairs had 85 points, namely (in order on the countout) Cecelia Verster and Yzelle Greyling, Ian Stewart and Carl Grobler, Murray Ross and Phil Myburgh, Roly Shaw and Dave Milne, and Bevis Fairbrother and Bernd Kankowski.
Gareth Olivant and David Rush were 11th on 84 points, counting out Hans Stols and Fanie Kuhn. On 83 points were Kevin Loring and Dave Mee, John Prichardt and Mark Smith and Gerhard Labuschagne and Trevor Green.
In an interesting move, players got to choose their own prizes from a selection on the table.
Nearest the pins were won by William Xolo (5th), Fanie Kuhn (8th), Mike Pillay (14th) and Fred van Zyl (17th).
The previous Wednesday’s competition was won by John Pritchard and Kevin Loring on 47 points, with Dave Mee and Graham Dickson next on 45 points.
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Sole is catch of the day – again
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GAVIN Sole (43) of Southbroom GC nearly didn’t enter the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Open at Selborne Park last Sunday. Now he’s glad he did as he cruised to a five shot win with rounds of 71 and 69.
He hurt his back a little while ago and has been struggling a touch with his game because of this.
If you don’t believe it check out the Southern Natal Nomads recent Andrew Mentis game where the Big Fish finished with the fourball that claimed the Crying Towel.
“I struggled to break 80 that day,” he said.
At Selborne things were a lot different. Sole took the halfway lead with 71, and then upped the tempo in the afternoon with 69 to see off a later charge from Royal Durban’s Bryce Bibby.
Bibby scuppered his chances with a morning 77 but showed his class with a second round 68.
Not that Sole was too bothered. At 43 years old, he just keeps getting better and particularly seems to enjoy taking on the ‘young guns’.
“Not bad for an old man with a broken back,” he chirped. He had 10 birdies and an eagle.
In truth it was his putting that set up the win. Just last week he felt it was so bad that he was considering putting left handed with a broomstick.
The thing is it’s difficult to tell when he is joking or not, or what exactly constitutes poor putting.
Whatever the case, at Selborne he knocked them in, and not with a broom. “I was back to my old trusty short putter. Putted well today,” he said.
There was actually a three way tie for second place. Joining Bibby were juniors Mount Edgecombe’s Greg McKay (76 and 69) and Royal Durban’s Ruben Coetzee (72 and 73).
Next best of the Southern KZN players were Jan McDermott of Margate CC who had 75 and 72, and Jason Ackerman of Southbroom, who had 76 and 71.
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Anton and co wing it
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THE Wednesday Wobblers’ competition at Margate Country Club last week saw Dave Parsons, Jim Finn and Rod O’Farrell clean up on 83 points, followed two behind by Frank Merrill, Doug Johnston and D Outram.
A further two points adrift were Roy Knight, Alan Davies and Tony Comte. The Arthur Tomlinson Floater went to Tony Peace, Derek Egerton, Rolf Speilmann on 87 points.
Thursday’s pro shop comp was an individual Stableford and won by Robert Mavundla on 36 points, on a countout from Angus McLachlan. In third on 35 points was Alan Davies. Nearest the pin on the 16th, sponsored by Hibiscus Retirement Villages, was Michael Downs.
Last Friday’s business day alliance was sponsored by Giorgio Express and Margate Pro Shop. It was two to count on the par fours and fives, and three to count on the par threes.
In first spot were Johan Wentzel, Riaan Croucamp, Anton Kohrmann and Deon Meyer on 107 points, followed two behind by Jaco van der Wal, Johan Neethling, Allan Halvorsen and Marius Visser.
On 103 points were Graeme Massom, Rob Weyer, Mike Lee and Herman Fourie, followed on 102 points by Frank Carl, Mike Geiger, Bobby Wagner and Guy Yeadon. On 101 points were Christo Esterhuizen, Johan Stoltz, Theuns Esterhuizen and Piet Lombard. Nearest the pins, sponsored by Blue Lagoon, were Deon Meyer (2nd) and Graham Scowby (16th).
Saturday’s comp saw Angus McLachlan continue his good form, teaming up with Neil Townsend to card +12 and win by three from four pairs, namely Wonder Nxumalo and Robert Mavundla, Greg Litkie and Peter McCarthy, Edwin Steyn and Patrick Mavundla, as well as Elvis Khawula and Michael Downs.
The women played an alliance. Sandi’s Surprise, consisting of Sandi Johnston, Jean Page, Joan Minnaar and Corinne Greensmith (ghost) won on 80 points. In second place were Agnes Speilmann, Lizzie Meyer, Margaret Ford and Elgin Berend on 78 points.
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Michelle and Kate clean up
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THE Wednesday competition at Southbroom Golf Club was won by Michelle van der Hoek and Kate Clarence on 64 points (aggregate Stableford) edging out Di Morris and Lee Mutch and Mari Fielden and Ann Simmonds who both had 63 points.
The men’s comp saw Dries Barkhuizen and Dick Holtshausen win on 76 points, followed on 74 points by Jannie and Jason Ackerman, and Jim Cook and Vic Pretorius. Jannie had two two-clubs, as did Bruce Matthew and George Haswell.
Saturday’s competition saw Lee Mutch, Della Kempthorne and Sharon Turnbull-Jackson take first prize on 79 points, by five from Annie Davidson, Joy Crutchfield, Rene Matthew and Jean Purtell.
In the men’s section, the winners were Terry Davidson, Mike Roe and Rob Meydell on 90 points. In a tie for second on 88 points were Hugh Purtell, Graham Taylor, Les Civin and Norman Farrell, tied with Dave Page, Stan Date, Clive Cotton and Norman Whittemore.
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Pro-Vision club heads south
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PRO-VISION golfers will travel to the Wild Coast Sun this Sunday, November 10 to play in their last away fixture for the year.
The tournament offers the opportunity for sweet revenge for Ricky Naidoo, who was denied victory when Paul Naidoo clinched first place at the same venue recently.
However, both need to be reminded that there are other players who can cause an upset on the day. Tee off times are from 9am.
