Golf festival in memory of Bobbylocke
THE SIXTH edition the Bobby Locke Invitational, a week-long festival of golf at Parkview GC which culminated in a tournament on Sunday for some of the country’s top amateurs, certainly brought back the memories.
For a start, the festivities were in honour of Arthur D’Arcy “Bobby” Locke himself, who won the first of his nine South African Opens as an amateur at Parkview aged just 17 way back in 1935.
The Germiston-born Locke joined the club two years later and adopted it as his own until he passed away in 1987 at the age of 69 following a remarkable career that saw him win four British Opens, and 23 times altogether in Europe.
And Locke was a sensation in America. In three short years on the US Tour, he played in 59 events, won 11 of them and finished in the top three 30 times. It was Tiger Woods-like domination, only this was back in the 1940s.
In 1946, Locke played 14 exhibition games against the great Slammin’ Sam Snead, winning 12 of them.
And in 1947, Bobby dominated on the US circuit, winning six tournaments including four inside a six-week bonanza which was jam-packed with birdies.
At home in South Africa, old “Muffin Face” (as the Americans called him because of his changeless expression during tournament play) recorded 36 professional victories.
Using an old rusty-headed putter with a hickory shaft, the eccentric Locke was absolutely deadly on the greens. Many regard him as the greatest putter the game has ever seen.
It’s no wonder that Parkview seek to honour their most famous member each November, a man who in his day provided plenty of enjoyment for the club’s faithful on the course as well as off it.
A devoted party animal and gifted musician, he’d bring out his beloved ukulele after a round of golf and encourage a merry 19th hole sing-a-long deep into the night.
On Sunday, though, it wasn’t only Locke who brought back sweet memories.
It just so happened that Bryanston CC’s Craig LindsaySmith won the tournament for the top amateurs.
And Craig is the son of one of South Africa’s finest sportsman, Duncan Lindsay-Smith who died well before his time after playing both rugby and cricket for Transvaal, and golf for his country.
He was also the mate gentleman.
“If I can achieve half of what my dad achieved as a sportsman I’d be thrilled,” says Craig who shot two-under-par 70 to tie Kempton Park’s Hugo Delport at the top of the leaderboard before beating him in a play-off, in a tournament that had to be reduced from 36 holes to 18 because of stormy weather.
“It wasn’t easy out there, they had us off the back markers and they tucked the pins away,” said Craig.
“But the course was in stunning condition, the greens unbelievably good and the tournament really well-run.”
Craig has chosen accountancy as a career and last year qualified as a CA, so golf comes second although he still manages to hold a plus-one handicap at Bryanston.
Justifiably, Parkview will always be extremely proud of Bobby Locke but the same token, Duncan Lindsay-Smith would have been proud of his boy on Sunday.
Hanli Hattingh, Phume Mbande, Lenise Marais (co-captain), Marcelle Keet (co-captain), Lisa Deetlefs, Illse Davids, Celia Evans, Shelley Russell, Kaila Flemming, Quanita Bobbs, Sulette Damons, Christine Roos, Jade Mayne, Bernie Coston, Tanya Britz, Lilian du Plessis, Izelle Lategan, Kelly Madsen. Head coach: Fabian Gregory.
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Africa v SA FIXTURES (SA times) Women November 18: South Kenya (11am). November 19: South Africa Ghana (11am). November 21: South Tanzania (9am). November 22: match (12 noon). November 23: Gold medal final (12 noon). Men November 18: South Ghana (3pm). November 19: South Egypt (1pm). November 21: South Africa Kenya (3pm). November 22: match (2.30pm). November 23: Gold medal final (2.30pm) – Sapa
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