Hidden birdie won at last at UGC

By P Utter

THIS week Umkomaas Golf Club (UGC) bids farewell to one the woman members who will be leaving SA to live in the UK.

Annette Gillett has been the backbone of the women’s section for a number of years when she took over as woman captain in 2012.

A much-loved member of the club, nothing was ever too much – she turned her hand to just about everything, even reporting the golf news when the scribe was away for any length of time. Annette, UGC is going to miss your jovial, loud laughter and your presence throughout the clubhouse. Husband, John and the rest of their family will leave later in the month, so to the whole Gillett family, UGC’s best wishes go with you as you make your home in England. Your many friends at the club are surely going to miss you all.

Wednesday was the usual individual stableford and as the scores reflect, it was a good day all round. Derek Airey was the winner with a score of 42 points followed by none other than Piet ‘Jorsie’ Vermaak in second slot on 38 points. Rob Finlay took third prize, counting out big Garth Wilyman into fourth place, both on 37 points. Barrie Taylor swept into fifth spot with 36 points.

As always, the first Saturday of the month brings the Toyota monthly medal competition and joining in from Toti Golf Club was Jacqui Porrill. Welcome, Jacqui. The weather was perfect for great scores. The A division was won very convincingly by Mike Cromhout on a 68 nett with Greg Thiel as runner-up this time with 70. The B division was a close affair with Barrie Taylor the victor this month on an excellent 67 nett, with Dave Mulroy close behind Barrie by just one shot on an equally great 68. But the glory belonged to C division winner, Bing Opie, who played tremendous golf – probably the best game of his life (?) – scoring a superb 63 nett. After that score, John Gillett had to settle for the runner-up prize with an excellent score, just the same, of 66 nett.

The women played their medal day as well and this month the tussle was between Sabiha Bacaus and Michelle van der Merwe with Sabiha taking the winner’s glass with a 72 nett and Michelle runner-up with a 77 nett. The least putts prize went to Lesa Vergottini with only 31 putts, counting out visitor, Jacqui Porrill who also had 31 putts for her round. Well done, girls.

The jackpot was shared between Bing Opie, Peter Toward, Dave Mulroy and Dave Kemp, all on 10 points and the hidden birdie has been won at last. John Gillett won the ‘kitty’ of R408 by getting a birdie on the short, par three fourth hole. The only two-clubs on the day were from John on the fourth and Lindani Mthiyane on the 13th. Lindani’s name was drawn for the attendance draw but he had already left the building and will be carried over to next week.

Golfer of the month of September is Bing Opie. Congratulations, Bing on your 63 nett.

Saturday, 10 September, is the alliance league – gather the troops, the scores are looking interesting. There will be social golf on Sunday, 11 September, although there will be composite league later in the morning – do call the club for a tee time on 039-973-1042.

A reminder of the MegaMaster Golf Day on Saturday, 24 September – not only is it Heritage Day but National Braai Day as well. More news on the braai front next week but the time sheet is open to all officially handicapped golfers, so call the office on 039-973-1042 to book a time for this betterball competition. There are great prizes to be won and loads of fun to be had with your families.

Geriatric Golf starts a little earlier these days since Spring has sprung and the sun is up earlier in the mornings. Be at the club at 6.30am to tee off shortly afterwards.

KidzGolf is doing well and coach Devlyn is thrilled at the progress some of the youngsters are making. Lindani and Mike are there to assist Devlyn so all the pupils get the individual attention they need. Call the club for more details.

The club website is still up at www.umkomaasgolf.co.za – the new look website should be up within the next month or so.