Rugby forwards ‘rain’ at New Year’s challenge

Golfers are a different breed, especially those who have taken it up a bit later on, after spending most of their competitive sporting life playing rugby or cricket.

Most wouldn’t be bothered teeing it up on New Year’s Day, not at 8.30am anyway, and certainly not with the very strong likelihood that it would rain.

And boy, did it rain. It absolutely pelted down, especially on the back nine, with those who teed off later soaked and chilled to the bone.

But none of this deterred those who played for the Golden Trophy in the annual New Year’s Day Challenge at Margate Country Club.

It’s organised by Theo Nicholls, and this year was dedicated to the memory of founder Tony Golden, who died tragically late last year.

The winners this year were rugby players Juan van den Berg and Tiaan Malherbe.

Juan has been a stalwart for the Warriors rugby club, with the big 8th man having previously captained the team and now coaching it.

He crushes it off the tee.

It kind of looks like someone has seriously irritated him – like a backline player trying a fancy move and knocking on after the forwards have done the hard graft!

Tiaan has a more measure approach but there’s plenty power there, too.

The format is a lot of fun and perfect for a New Year’s Day competition. It’s scramble on every shot – so both play from the best drive, best second, and so on.

The two big forwards carded 75 off a combined 9 handicap to return nett 66 and win by one from Theo and his partner Doug Trevintin.

In third place were Jacques Cilliers and Eugene ‘Noddy’ Naude, with defending champions Charl Cilliers and David Rush on a gross of 70 for a nett 69.

Charl has recently had a knee operation and did pretty well considering he probably should have been resting it at home.

The good news is that the knee held up well and he’s looking at playing some proper golf before too long.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram