GOLFWEEKLY

medal sponsored by Pick n Pay was the first competition of the year and 23 players contended. Conditions were favourable, although it was close and rather uncomfortably muggy. Ronel Hough shot a superb nett 66 in the Silver Division beating Glynnis Renecle’s nett 68 into second place. Pru Peacock’s nett 70 was good enough to earn her first place in the bronze division with Sandy Fryer coming home second on nett 72. Ronel also won the concomitant putting competition in her division (27 putts) while Gaby Hausman-Tarpani shared the Bronze division’s prize with Sandy, both players putting 29 times. Glynnis (sixth) and Ronel (13th) both made birdies on the par-three holes indicated. Kim Gardner’s drives were closest to the pin on both Top Carpet’s sixth and on the eighth. Sue Kennedy’s was nearest on Wimpy’s 11th and Ronel was “closest-for-two” on River Spa’s 13th. Kim’s good day was completed by striking the longest drive on the first for those playing in the lower handicap section. Sonia Reynolds did likewise among those with more generous handicaps, but this time on the 15th. Mo Marsay shot a sub-70 nett round (69). The competition on January 24 will be a three-ball Stableford alliance.

Perfect weather conditions greeted the 25 players who turned out for the early morning draw in the year’s first Fresh Stop mixed competition. The format was the usual two-to-count Stableford Alliance drawn into three three-balls and four four-balls. Debbie Longhurst, Heather van Harmelen, Martin Lambrechts and Terry Harris took advantage of the benign conditions to ease their way to putting 92 points on their card and win the morning’s proceedings. Danny and Gaby Tarpani teamed up with Donald and Maureen McGarvie to come home second with 90 points. It was heavier going for Mo Marsay, Bryan Robinson and Barrie B Brady as they could only muster 74 + 5 = 79 points to record the lowest score of the competition. Nevertheless, compensatory energy drinks were handed to them for revival purposes courtesy of the sponsors. Jenny Ralph’s drive was closest to the pin on the eighth to win the bottle of wine on offer. Good nett scores were shot by Donald McGarvie (67), Heather van Harmelen (68) and John Ralph (69). Par three birdies were sunk by Eric Segers (sixth), Andy Manson, Brian Reid (eighth), John Ralph, Terry Harris (11th) and Donald McGarvie (13th). Nevertheless, the highlight of the morning’s play was the eagle two-holed by Barrie Brady on the par four fourth.

Mainly overcast, windless and muggy conditions were perceived as being good to play golf and attracted 42 players to enrol in the usual two-to-count Stableford alliance. The field was drawn into nine four-balls and two three-balls. Bob Shaw shot a great 78 to nett 66 and guide his covey of Chris Niebieszczanski, Wilton Adcock and Cliff Roberts to victory with 94 points. Second placed John Ralph, Johny Johnston, Dale Wisener and John Crandon were just one point off the pace on 93. The three-ball of Andy Manson, Patrick O’Kelly and Hugh Homes found the going tough as they managed to card just 75 + 5 = 80 points to win nought but the dreaded Hamer en Sukkel trophy. David Groenewald (eighth and 13th), Adrian White (sixth and 11th), James Lobban (sixth) and Chris Niebieszczanski (eighth) all sank birdies on the par three holes indicated. The best nett score of the morning was recorded by Geoff Hughes (64). Other good nett rounds were shot by Heinz Czepluch, Anton Pienaar (68), Chris Niebieszczanski, Cecil Grobler, Trevor Evans, James Lobban, John Ralph, John Crandon and Martin Weaver (69).

Overcast, cool and windless conditions are always ideal for golf and 38 players took advantage of this by turning out to play the usual two-to-count Stableford alliance. The field was drawn into eight four-balls and two three-balls. Tom Tagg, Dale Wisener, Brian Hayward and Terry Harris took advantage of this to card a winning 94 points. John Crandon, Barrie Brady and Brian Shirley took the runners-up slot by scoring 86 + 5 = 91 points. It was not such a good day for John Ralph, Matt Chadwick, Roy de Wet and Nick Oosthuizen as they only managed to card a lowly 80 points. This resulted in them sharing the 19th hole with the infamous Hamer en Sukkel trophy. Mick Rushmere (eighth) and John Crandon (11th) sank the only two-clubs of the competition. Gaby Hausman-Tarpani shot the best nett round (66) whilst Dale Wisener (67), Brian Shirley (68) and John Crandon (69) all went home happy with their morning’s play.