Golf memorial tournament turns 40
FOR nearly three decades he “made miracles” happen in Chatsworth and now its time to say goodbye.
Today (Wednesday) is the last day on the job for Danny Reddy as groundsman of Chatsworth Stadium Sports Precinct.
Reddy, 63, will head into retirement having tended to the array of sporting facilities at the precinct for 28 years.
Under his watch, Chatsworth has played host to some major local and international sporting clashes, political, cultural and community events.
Reddy said while it was pressured ensuring the precinct’s football field, athletics track, cricket oval, bowling green and tennis courts were in fine fettle at the blast of a whistle, he counted it a privilege to have had the opportunity.
“The work is demanding, but I love the excitement of preparing for events.
“I’m grateful to the wonderful team I’ve worked with over the years and I’m happy to say that we never failed to deliver on expectations,” said Reddy.
Some of the big sporting occasions that Reddy remembered included Manning Rangers’ clash with English Premier League team Manchester City at the Chatsworth stadium, witnessed by 35000 spectators in the 1990s.
He said that whenever Kaizer Chiefs visited, a big crowd was sure to follow.
Rangers used the venue as their home base for nearly two decades before they were relegated from the PSL in 2005.
In the 2008/2009 season, when major football stadiums around the country were being renovated ahead of the 2010 World Cup, Reddy and his team were given a rare opportunity to take centre stage.
With no suitable venue to host the Telkom Cup final, the Chatsworth Stadium was the venue of choice for the clash between Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town, which attracted a full house.
“That was intense, but we delivered,” Reddy remembered.
While football was usually Chatsworth’s big attraction, Reddy said hosting international teams like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Dolphins cricket teams kept him and his team on the front foot.
He said preparing a cricket pitch was a painstaking task and you also needed all the natural elements to work in your favour to achieve an ideal pitch.
“Ali Bacher (former United Cricket Board) was full of praise when I was able to get the venue in readiness for the match between an invitational local team and the touring Indian side in the 1990s.
“Gordon Igesund appreciated the surface at Chatsworth Stadium while coaching Rangers. He once told me it was the best in Africa.
“Over the years, I have had pleasant responses from fans, players and administrators from various sporting codes,” Reddy said.
Sport was part of his life from an early age. He participated in school athletics, soccer and volleyball matches.
He also supported FPL side Berea, through the influence of his uncle, Daddy Reddy, a director of the club.
His involvement in sport continued while he worked for the SA Navy and was based in Salisbury Island for 16 years. He was the physical instructor who trained recruits and managed the navy’s various sports facilities.
When the Chatsworth job with the eThekwini Municipality became available in 1990, Reddy’s appointment was a shoe-in.
For the future, he plans to spend more time nurturing his spiritual well being. THE Central Durban Golf Club’s “Memorial Open” tournament is usually a big occasion for the organisation.
“But the 2018 version of this competition, which will be played at the picturesque Durban Country Club on November 25, has added lustre, given the fact that this will be the tournament’s 40th anniversary.
It’s played in memory of all the golfers of yesteryear who persevered with the game despite the challenges they faced.
Previously this competition was named the Papwa Memorial after legendary golfer Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum, who defied the odds of the apartheid regime and became a golfing sensation in the 1960s.
According to the club’s spokesperson, Sunny Singh, while remembering the heroes of yesterday, the club is on a mission is to inspire the next crop of golfing champions.
Singh said the tournament attracted interest from players around the country and 120 are expected to slug it out in
the three divisions (A, B and C). Players without a handicap would be accommodated in the “guest category”, Singh said.
While there would be prizes galore, he said that the Post Papwa Putter, which was used by the golf icon previously, is what players from the A and B divisions could land if they are in top form on the day.