Trump, Israel and the game of a lifetime
It's important to get out on the fairways from time to time.
IN a world that many seem to think is rapidly losing the plot, golf can provide an oasis of sorts.
Tournament golf provides an intense environment wherein you don’t have much time to think about anything else but the shot you’re about to play (and finding some halfway house cash for your caddy) let alone how The Donald’s stance on Israel may or may not affect global peace and/or terrorism.
On the other hand, social golf provides a great opportunity to get away from ‘real life’ for a few hours, hook up with some mates, moan about how awful the Boks were in 2016, and then hook one off the first tee. Laugh a bit, and then moan some more about the Boks.
Global warming may come up for discussion by those with some Christmas excess to shed, as our summers seem to be getting hotter.
Trump has some controversial views on climate change. I wonder if he would review his position after playing in the KZN Invitational over 36 holes at Bluff National Park next month.
He likes his golf but I doubt he has ever put himself through something like that.
Trump defied the odds and critics … and I am of the opinion that KwaZulu-Natal’s various Interprovincial teams can bring home some silverware this year.
The seniors are long overdue a win and playing in the Southern Cape in April may nullify the potency of Central Gauteng to some extent, perhaps.
The country districts team has gained promotion to the A division and the San Lameer course may suit them especially if it blows hard in May.
Border will host the main Interprov in September which could play into the hands of the Kzn team.
If no one goes pro before then, or off to college overseas, then I don’t see why they can’t win it.
Yes, it’s tough away from home but so what? Nice challenge, indeed.
The mid-amateurs were disappointed with their efforts last year and planning is already underway to win at Oubaai in October.
The juniors will go to East London in December, and with seven players back again will certainly believe they can win. Especially after coming so close last year.
Aside from all this, it’s only about 15 weeks to go before the Masters.
A South African winner at a major is now long overdue, in fact it’s the longest gap since Gary Player’s 1978 Masters and Ernie Els’s 1994 US Open.
Since that win the longest gap between wins was 16 majors (Ernie’s US Open in 1997 and Retief Goosen’s US Open in 2001). It’s now sitting on 18, with Ernie the last to win a major, his second Open in 2012.
The President’s Cup later in the year should feature a number of South Africans including Brandon Stone and Jaco van Zyl. That will make it worth staying up late at night to watch.
* Gavin Sole of Southbroom Golf Club won his eighth San Lameer Open title last week, scoring 69 and 73 to win by seven from Stefan Cronjé.
Shaun Stapleton, who recently played for the SA Mid Amateur team in India, was third.
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