One shot clinches it for AGC club champ

By Mrs Furyk

THE Amanzimtoti Golf Club (AGC) 2016 strokeplay championships were played in great conditions, with superb spirit displayed by all competitors.

To see young men running down the 18th fairway, rushing to complete their round in order to go out and support fellow competitors playing in behind them, gives a clear indication that the club is in a good place indeed, and growing in strength and character every day.

The camaraderie among the players is quite amazing to see.

Mark Cowie did a great job on Sunday, once again picking up the title of club champion, beating Kalvin van Rensburg by one shot only. According to Mark he was sitting comfortably turning after halfway, but then Kalvin put in a charge of note, making eagle on the 10th, and then birdies on both the 11th and 12th holes. This was enough to rattle Mark, but he held his nerve to take the win. A great result from a great young golfer.

Mark shot 68 and 75 for 143 gross, 139 nett; Kalvin shot 72 on both days for 144 gross, 142 nett. In third place was Bester Swart on 149 gross, while Sean Roberts finished on 151 gross in the A division.

The B division was won by Cecil Heydenrych, shooting 84 on Saturday and then storming through with a great 81 on Sunday to give him 165 gross, 143 nett. Just two shots adrift was Bobby Milne on 167 gross, 145 nett, while Tommy McNaughton came in with 168 gross.

The C division was decided by a playoff between Craig Anderson (86/89=175/139 nett) and Sheldon Grant (88/87=175/139 nett). Craig once again held his nerve to take the win, making it two in a row for him as well after winning this division last year.

This coming Saturday sees the first two rounds of the matchplay championships for the men, while the semi-finals and finals will be held the following Saturday.

The women’s silver division was open for the taking after the first round on Saturday, with both Elsune Roode and Jacqui Porrill shooting 80. Sunday however was all about Elsune as she powered her way round the course in a stunning 76 gross to win the title of women’s strokeplay champion by 19 shots clear of second placed Gerda Heydenrych. Of note was the steady golf played by Gerda, coming in with an 89 and 86 over the two rounds.

The women’s bronze division title was successfully defended by Gill Symons, who scored 98 and 88; in second was Lynette Roodt who shot the lights out on Saturday but couldn’t emulate that performance again on Sunday, carding 96 and 103 off her 26 handicap. In third place was Sue Boucher by virtue of losing the count out to Lynette.

Best overall gross was Elsune Roode on 141 for the silver division, while Lynette Roodt was best in the bronze division with 147 nett. The eclectic for the competition was won by Gerda Heydenrych on 64 nett, counting out Thanda Zama, Sue Conlan and Ina de Boer.

The women’s senior trophy was played in tandem with the first round on Saturday, with IPS scoring, and Wladzia Olivier took the honours with a very fine 38 points, followed by Aneska Dupont on 36.

The women will play off all their matchplay championships matches this coming weekend, and the club wishes all the competitors good luck and great stamina.

On behalf of the committee, deepest thanks go to the sponsors who put up prizes for the men’s competition, the sponsor who supplied boerie rolls for Saturday afternoon, and of course to braai masters Andy Luck and Ike Collard who spent hours in the sun cooking the boerie. The course played brilliantly, and this is due to the efforts of the management and greens staff, and that too is greatly appreciated.

For the record, thanks too must go to all members and their friends and families who supported the Kruger Park Lodge raffle. The lucky winner was Bobby Milne, who this is a deserving winner who never baulks at supporting any and all fundraisers.

During the midweek IPS competition, Brian Stewart made an ace on the 15th hole. Well done to him, and thanks for the celebratory drinks Brian. Sadly the hole-in-one didn’t boost him up the leader board, and the winner on the day was Duncan Smail who counted out Mike Pienaar on 42 points. In third place by a count out on 40 points was Jan McDermott, with Martin Rumbelow coming in fourth.

Friday’s nine hole sundowner was well supported with 30 players turning out to compete. Norbert Dupont showed great skill with a fine 20 points to take the win, while Janco Vogel beat his Dad Nico on a count out, both with 19 points, to take second place.

A reminder, AGC welcomes all visitors and locals to go down and make use of its superb golf course and driving range. Phone the pro shop on 031-902-4144 to book a tee off time.