Golfers give their all in Cancer Challenge

UNLIKE many of the participants in the National Finals of the Sanlam Cancer Challenge, Greg Park of Umhlali Country Club does not have a close friend or family member who has had cancer or has succumbed to it.

“So I guess I’m fortunate in that regard,” said Park who won the men’s A Division yesterday.

“The course was in fantastic condition and what an experience to play in a tournament like this where there’s so much camaraderie. I drove the ball really well today and our fourball had a lot of fun out on the course. I’m a real serious golfer though, and so I enjoyed the competitive side too.

“This is my first time in the Cancer Challenge and I won my club event at Umhlali on a count out, and then the KZN regional finals at Prince’s Grant also after a count out. So I’ve been lucky with the count outs and, as I said, also lucky not to have family members who have had the disease.

This tournament is run on a Stableford points format and Park, a six-handicap, had 71 – 35 at Lost City on day one and 36 on the Gary Player course yesterday.

The women’s A Division was won by Wilna Bredenhann of the little Hentie’s Bay club in Namibia and her total of 74 points also earned her the prize as overall women’s champion, from Gwen Orlep (Steenberg) and Geraldine Teherne (Southbroom) who tied for second place on 68 points.

The men’s overall champion is Johnny Rossouw from Waterpan GC who edged out Jurie Jerling of Oppenheimer Park on a count out after the B Division pair had tied on 76 points.

In the women’s B Division, Cheng Primes of Randpark took the honours on 63 points. “I’m so happy,” she said. “I’ve tried for a number of years to crack the finals only to come short time and again. Now that I’ve finally made it, to go and win my division is really special. Tracy Thesen (Gonubie) was second in the B Division with 59 points, followed by June Harrison (Clovelly) with 58.

Marett Nieuwoudt (Lutville GC) won the women’s C Division with 64 points followed by Nicky Flanegan from Stutterheim with 59 and Rita Kinghorn (Port Edward GC) took third on 56.

In the men’s C Division HJ Goosen from Vredenburg GC on the West Coast emerged as champion on 66 points with Sakkie Saayman (Drakensig GC) runnerup and Eugene le Roux (Douglas GC) taking third spot.

“Both my parents died from cancer as did one of my brothers so this tournament – it’s the second time I’ve been to the finals – is close to my heart,” said Goosen.

The winners aside, the Sanlam Cancer Challenge is all about giving to CANSA for the fight against the disease and this year R3,5-million was raised from clubs in Africa.