Suddards Trophy this weekend at Country Club
IT IS David Suddards day this Sunday at the Durban Country Club as the legendary amateur, who is one of the most decorated Springboks of his time, will host the David Suddards Trophy for the 13th time since 2006.
Suddards, who was one of the best players in the amateur game while he played, played alongside the likes of David Frost, Tony Johnstone, Duncan Lindsay-Smith, who also excelled for Transvaal in cricket, Gavan Levenson, who runs one of the most successful academies at Glendower Golf Club, Mark McNulty, Robbie Stewart, who is a well-known coach these days, Blaize McIntosh (Natal), brothers Derek and Neil James from 1973 to 1987.
It is said that Suddards was the best among these top amateurs who did not take the opportunity to join the paid ranks.
While the likes of Frost, McNulty, Levenson, Johnstone, who is one of the most wellknown voices on the European Tour Productions, and Derek James joined the paid ranks, Suddards remained loyal to the amateur game.
However, he admits that he kept in touch with his playing mates during their days as pro- fessionals, and admired their successes on various tours around the world.
“It certainly (is) an emotional day for me whenever I host the event at my home venue,” Suddards said.
“It’s an honour to witness new talent coming through our KwaZulu-Natal ranks, and it pleases me the way the youngsters approach the game. They hit the ball for miles – unlike when we played.”
The inaugural event in 2006 was won by Michael Hollick of Mount Edgecombe Country Club and he repeated his feat in 2011 to become the first twotime winner of the David Suddards Trophy.
Hollick has subsequently turned professional and is campaigning on the Sunshine Tour.
Some of the other winners include Daniel Greene, also playing of the Sunshine Tour, Wesley Worster, Jon Campbell, Derek Scullard of Mount Edgecombe, Vikash Singh and Malcolm Mitchell, who cared the lowest score of 137 while becoming the champion last year.
Entries for the David Suddards Trophy closes today and the draw will be announced on Friday.
Equipment update
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