Die Hards claim Alliance League title

By P Utter

UMKOMAAS Golf Club held the final round of the Alliance League last Saturday with great success.

After 11 months of ‘friendly’ rivalry and chirping as to who was the better team, it was the older generation who won out in the end.

The team of the ‘Die Hards’ Rob Mathias, Simon van den Bosch, Ken Koster and Dave Kemp pipped everyone in the last game that won them the title of Alliance League winners 2015.

The scores are irrelevant but the second placed team were ‘The Swingers’ Annette Gillett, John Gillett, Rob Finlay and Andy Davidge with the ‘Naidoos’ Bruce Sutcliffe, Dylan Sutcliffe, Christopher Pillay and the only true Naidoo in the team, Kuben Naidoo, in third place. Well done to all the teams who participated, you showed what true team spirit is all about – many of the teams kept the same players throughout the year which is a feat in itself. They will all be back in January – let the games begin.

Tim Clark played down Mexico way this past weekend in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, making the cut and finishing at T34 at -7 for the tournament. He was doing so well in the first three rounds, shooting a 69, 69 and a 67 but the last round let him down a bit when he finished with a 72. Considering that he has been away from the game for a while, this was a great tournament for him. Golfers will have to wonder though how he’s going to cope not being allowed to ‘anchor’ his putter on his body next year when the rule comes in, in January. Hopefully he’s made a plan since, in this last tournament in Mexico, his putter is still resting on his chest.

The scores in the Wednesday individual stableford were excellent this past week with Bing Opie scooping 1st prize with 46 great points, leaving Anil Seepershad wallowing in 2nd spot with 44 points. Warren Taylor took home the 3rd prize with his 42 points. There was very high scoring this week – well done all.

As mentioned, it was the last round of the Alliance League last Saturday and the club welcomed Dean Fisher and regular visitor Mike Harvard to the competition. Thanks for filling in, guys. With the excitement of the main Alliance, there was still the monthly alliance competition which was won by Barrie Taylor, Warren Taylor, Anil Seepershad and Peter Williamson on 92 points. But it was that ‘Die Hard’ team of Simon, Rob, Dave and Ken taking 2nd spot with 91 points which clinched them the overall win in the Alliance League. Anil Seepershad took the jackpot with 11 points but the hidden birdie (3rd hole) is still up for grabs. Deneys Williamson had two two-clubs, on the 4th and 9th holes with Sabiha Bacaus on the 4th hole and Ken Koster on the 17th. Peter Toward won the prize in the ‘non-skilled department’ by taking home the attendance draw. Well done, Peter.

Bruce Sutcliffe won the ‘birds’ in the football sweep with Leeds FC.

On Sunday, the composite team played away at Royal Durban, with Umkomaas finishing in 3rd place. Dean Naicker and the fourball he was playing in, won the Alliance competition. Apparently there were quite a few composite teams playing on the day, so Umkomaas did well to finish 3rd. Well done, guys.

The club hosted a tremendously successful quiz night last Friday, 13 November – all thanks to John Thompson for keeping the crowd on their collective toes the whole evening. Everyone’s ‘grey matter’ was severely tested on the night, so watch this space for the next quiz night in the not too distant future.

Not forgetting the bingo evening on Friday, 27 November – just an early reminder of some fun coming up at the end of the month.

Next Saturday, 21 November is the 4BBB competition with social golf on Sunday. Call for a tee time on both days on 039-973-1042.

UGC bids farewell to one of its long-standing members, Andy Davidge who along with his wife Glenda, will make their home in England at the end of the month. Everyone wishes them the very best in their new home as they are greeted with a real English winter – snow, sleet and all that ‘stuff’ once in the UK.

Go online to www.umkomaasgolf.co.za