Tee to Green Dec 2011/Jan 2012 by Ursula Vlismas

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A Peaceful festive season and prosperous 2012 to all our readers.

Double delight for Westwood at Sun City p12-14

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• Otto wins SA Open p6 • Mulroy victorious at Leopard Creek p8 • Volvo Golf Champions ready for Fancourt p15 1

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EDITORIAL TEAM

Another memorable year for SA golf It’s

been a memorable end to another memorable year for South African golf. And with a plethora of Sunshine Tour events as well as a Presidents Cup and World Cup of Golf, November has to go down as the golfer’s dream month in 2011. Followed only a week later by a superb Nedbank Golf Challenge. But the back nine of 2011 offered up a few memorable moments for me. I spent an afternoon on a muddy slope in a village deep in rural KwaZuluNatal, watching a 76-year-old Gary Player climb on a bicycle and do the balancing trick his grandchildren love, and which the village locals certainly enjoyed. Player was visiting a community project called Wildlands, which was

the official charity of this year’s Gary Player Invitational presented by CocaCola. Player and the soft drink giants were there to hand over a whole lot of bicycles to help anybody from schoolchildren to get to school quicker, and women to fetch water easier. One of the features of the bicycles is that they have a rack for luggage on the back, which Player declared was “perfect for my mother-in-law”. The Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek is another favourite of mine. I didn’t spot the famous python that loves to stretch itself across the entire width of the road on the estate, earning it the nickname “speed bump”. But I loved hearing Spanish professional Pablo Martin’s opinion

on the modern golf courses on tour. “We play too many boring courses these days,” he said. “We play these American-style courses where one hole looks like you’ve played it a thousand times on a thousand other golf courses.” But two of the greatest highlights for me occurred at the South African Open. On the eve of the championship, George Coetzee and Jbe Kruger took time out on the driving range to speak to a group of school kids and answer their questions. Then they signed caps for them, generously donated by Leonard Loxton from Titleist, who was also only too happy to spend time with these kids. Golf’s ability to pass on to the next generation through this kind of interaction is key to its survival, and one of the elements that make it stand out from most other professional sports. Player had Locke to look up to. Els had Player to look up to. Coetzee and Kruger had Els to look up to. And now it is their turn. And then Hennie Otto went and won the SA Open. I have a lot of time for Otto, because he is so perfectly human. He has lived through his nightmares, fights his demons, and tries every day to be a better person. His is a story we can all learn from. In this issue, South African Golf Association president Colin Burger also looks back on a tremendous year for the amateurs. There’s no doubt it’s been another proud year for South African golf.

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The views expressed in Tee to Green are not necessarily those of the publisher. Although the utmost care will be taken, Tee to Green is not responsible for any articles/photographs/adverts supplied for publishing.

Pictured left: Winner of the 2011 SA Open, Hennie Otto with Tee to Green Editor, Michael Vlismas.

Articles may also be shortened or included at the Editor’s discretion. While every effort is made to ensure all adverts are correct, Tee to Green cannot be held responsible for any errors.

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FROM TEE TO GREEN

From Tee to Green

Otto wins South African Open Michael Vlismas

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ennie Otto added his name to one of the most historic trophies in golf when he won the South African Open at the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate on Sunday. Otto survived a tense back nine in which he dropped three shots in four holes but eventually one by one stroke on 14 under par with a closing 72. Austrian Bernd Wiesberger finished second on 13 under with a 68, while Richard McEvoy, Ockie Strydom and Thomas Aiken shared third place on 11 under. Retief Goosen finished a stroke behind them with a closing 73. Ernie Els signed for a 79 to finish on five over par. Otto’s victory gave him the rare double of having won the Freddie Tait trophy for finishing as the leading amateur in the 1997 South African Open, and the professional title. “Your first win is always the most memorable, but this one is really special because it’s our national Open. The names that are on that trophy – I am very proud to be one of them. You dream of these things, you see them happen, so when it comes your way you must enjoy it,” said Otto. But it came close to unravelling for Otto on the back nine. He was two strokes clear of his nearest challenger Wiesberger, who was already in the clubhouse. Otto then bogeyed the short 15th and the par-five 16th to be tied for the lead with Wiesberger. He made a good birdie on 17 to go one ahead, and then parred the 18th for the title. “When I holed the putt on 17 I thought I’d done it then. My caddie kept telling me it’s there for the taking and I mustn’t get ahead of myself.” Pretoria amateur Brandon Stone ended a remarkable year by winning the Freddie Tait trophy for finishing as the leading amateur. Stone posted a final round of 73 to finish the week on three under par. Jared Harvey, the only other amateur to make the halfway cut, finished at two over par with a final round of 77. “This has capped a fantastic year for me,” said Stone. “I’ve won five times this year and played internationally. My grandfather and my parents walked with me today. The support I’ve had this week has been unbelievable.”

ALFRED DUNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP

Garth Mulroy, proud winner of the 2011 Alfred Dunhill Championship held at Leopard Creek.

Mulroy breaks through at Leopard Creek Michael Vlismas

arth Mulroy became the 100th South African to win in European Tour history when he claimed the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club in the middle of November this year. Mulroy closed with a 68 to finish on 19 under par, two strokes clear of Scotland’s George Murray, for the biggest win of his career. “There are a lot of opportunities for me now. It’s nice to have these kind of options,” said Mulroy, who had already secured his card for the PGA Tour next year, and now has membership of the European Tour to consider as well. The win also takes him to the top of the Sunshine

Tour’s Order of Merit going into this week’s final tournament of the local season – the South African Open. “I want to win the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. I know I’m ahead now, but I’m not going to relax until next week’s over. I’ll putt it off the tee next week if I have to,” he said. Mulroy appeared calm throughout a final round in which he did face several challenges to his overnight lead. The most significant of these came from Murray, and it was on the par-four 14th where Mulroy’s resolve was really tested. The South African hit a three wood off the tee and found himself behind a tree and without a second shot. “I thought I’d hit it out of bounds there. It was the only three wood I hit off the tee all day, and the aim was just to get it into play. But it was just a bad

shot. I had to do some damage control, so I just chipped out, took the five and moved on.” But the bogey opened the door for Murray, who eagled the 15th ahead of Mulroy to draw level with him on 17 under. Mulroy responded with a birdie on 15 as well, and then rolled in an 80-foot putt for birdie on the short 16th. “That putt on 16 was crazy. The funny thing is, with my first win on the Nationwide Tour I also holed a birdie putt on the 16th hole, and it was almost exactly the same length. I must admit, I was getting a bit ahead of myself, thinking about winning and doing all the stuff you shouldn’t do. Once I tried to forget about that, I felt calm.” Jaco van Zyl, George Coetzee, Felipe Aguilar and Peter Whiteford all finished third on 13 under.

KEEGAN BRADLEY

GARY PLAYER INVITATIONAL

Pollock scores win in Gary Player Invitational C

George Coetzee, Mark James, Shaun Pollock and Wessel Witthuhn won the Fourball Alliance Team Competition in this year’s Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola at par-72 Zimbali course at the Zimbali Coastal Resort in KwaZulu-Natal with a score of 40 under par.

ricket great Shaun Pollock made a significant contribution to his already impressive trophy cabinet when he teamed up with businessman Wessel Witthuhn for a maiden victory in the prestigious Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola at the Zimbali golf course in early November. The amateur duo claimed a runaway victory in the alliance competition of this charity pro-am, finishing the 36 holes on 40-under-par. Their nearest challengers were the team of former Springbok Breyton Paulse and businessman Ron Boon on 34-under. Pollock and Witthuhn set the tone for their triumph with a score of 15-under in the windy Saturday conditions, and then added a score of 25-under in the far calmer conditions on the Sunday. They celebrated a double triumph as their professionals, Mark James and George Coetzee, won the betterball on a score of 19 under, with rounds of 64 and 61. Jaco van Zyl and Ian Woosnam took second place in the betterball on 15 under. “I know my way around this course and it was great to play with the professionals, and also help Mr Player raise the money for charity. As professional sportsmen we have a great platform to help give something back,” said Pollock, who played as virtually a third professional in their fourball off his scratch handicap. “I made five birdies and an eagle on Sunday, so it was nice to contribute,” he said. Witthuhn was also delighted with his first victory in this event. “Everybody asked if I was nervous playing with three such good golfers,” said the 14 handicap. “But the nature of this tournament is that the people who play here are by their own nature also caring individuals who have time for an amateur like me.” Professional Coetzee couldn’t have asked for a more timeous victory as he prepares for a big summer on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa over the next two weeks. “I’ve got two big tournaments coming so this is good mental practice for me,” he said. Coetzee was also full of praise for the work done by this event to raise money for disadvantaged children in South Africa. “It’s been such a good tournament. What Gary Player does for us as golfers, and then also for charity and South Africa as a whole, is amazing. It’s an honour to be part of something like this. Obviously I hope that one day I can achieve some of the success he did on the golf course, but more importantly that I can achieve as much as he has off the course as well.” Player thanked all the participants for their support. “I’ve never seen scoring in this event like we had at Zimbali this year. The course was fantastic. And CocaCola and all our sponsors have been amazing in their support of our drive to make a difference.”

GARY PLAYER INVITATIONAL

Gary Player, Vincent Tshabalala and Jesper Parnevik showing their dance moves at the Gary Player Invitational.

Gary Player with Breyton Paulse and Pierre Spies.

Johnny Clegg provided the entertainment at the 2012 event.

Thomas Msengana, Gareth Cliff and Elana Africa.

Juanne and Pierre Spies with Patricia Lewis (centre).

Breyton Paulse and Jeannie D.

NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE

Lee Westwood, winner of the Nedbank Golf Challenge for the second consecutive year. (Credit Grant Leversha)

Lee’s double delight in Nedbank Golf Challenge Michael Vlismas

ee Westwood became only the sixth player in Nedbank Golf Challenge history to successfully defend his title when he won by two strokes at the Gary Player Country Club. With a final round of 73 for a total of 15 under, Westwood joined Seve Ballesteros (1983 and 1984, David Frost (1989 and 1990), Nick Price (1997 and 1998), Ernie Els (1999 and 2000), and Jim Furyk (2005 and 2006) as the only players to

have defended their titles in the 31-year history of this event. “I’m delighted. It’s a great tournament to win. You just have to look at the names on the trophy to realise how special it is. It’s not the winning margin that is important to me, but it’s the coming back and defending the title that is so satisfying,” said Westwood. Sweden’s Robert Karlsson finished second on 13 under with a closing 68, while Jason Dufner and Graeme McDowell shared third place on 11 under.

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But the title was destined to go the way of Westwood following his brilliant 62 in the third round, which earned him a seven-stroke lead going into the final day. McDowell and Dufner did their best to make a contest of it. McDowell started well with three birdies in his first four holes, and made birdies at holes nine and 10 to try and apply some sort of pressure to Westwood. And Dufner birdied 10 then holed out with his second from down the fairway on the par-four 11th. Westwood threatened to give them a chance when he bogeyed 12 and then left himself a 10-foot putt to save par on 13. He made the putt, and was four ahead of McDowell and Dufner. But both his challengers faltered at the parfour 15th, each with a double bogey there that ended their challenge. Karlsson made his own run over the closing holes with three birdies, and a single bogey, from the 14th. But such was Westwood’s lead that he could afford to bogey 17 and 18 and still win by two. “It wasn’t going to be easy going out with a big lead. When you’ve got a big lead you’re never sure how to play. I tried to break it down and hit fairways and greens. I kept it on the safe side whenever I could, and on the back nine I tried to play conservatively. That 62 was so special and I was never going to replicate it.” Westwood also enjoyed the local support he received. “I seem to have a lot of fans down here and have had a lot of support since I’ve been coming down here since 1994. It was great out there and they were right behind me. “I’d love to be the first to win three in a row. But I want to enjoy this one first. I’ll have a couple of glasses of champagne on this one.”

NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE

Lee stirs it up with 62 L

ee Westwood’s championship record 10-under-par 62 in the third round was one of the great moments in Nedbank Golf Challenge history. Westwood started his round with three birdies in his first four holes, made three birdies over the turn from the ninth, and then went on a run of four consecutive birdies from the 14th. Such was Westwood’s confidence on the Saturday that the weather delay of an hour-and-a-half had no impact on him at all. In fact, it seemed to inspire him. He was three under and on the eighth tee when the siren sounded. “What crossed my mind when the siren sounded? I thought it was a good time for lunch,” he said of the interruption. “They do a great stir fry in the Player’s Lounge. I was three under when I went in for lunch and shot seven under when I came back out. I was just trying to stay in my own little world and keep hitting good shots.”

“What crossed my mind when the siren sounded? I thought it was a good time for lunch.” - Lee Westwood

Ireland’s Graeme McDowell. (Credit: Grant Leversha.)

No wine for McDowell, but Frost will have some

fter two rounds, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell was relishing his place at the top of the leaderboard. But with a big weekend to come, and with an eye on doing well in the following week’s Dubai World Championship, McDowell admitted he couldn’t enjoy the delights of Sun City as much as he would’ve liked. “I can’t enjoy the Castle as much as I would like, or the great South African wine,” he said. But he would have done well to sample some of David Frost’s excellent wine. Frost enjoyed being back at Sun City for the Nedbank Senior Challenge, and says the wine business has given him something to keep busy with in his later years. “I see a guy like Tom Kite out there hitting golf balls from dawn until dusk, and I’ve thought that’s maybe not what I want to do after golf. So I asked Gil Morgan what he’ll do when he retires, and he said, ‘I enjoy gardening and spending time with the grandkids’. That’s not going to do it for me either. Hopefully me getting into the wine business will give me something to do after golf,” he said.

NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE

Schwartzel soaks up SA support A

s the only South African in the 2011 field, Charl Schwartzel soaked up the support he received from the fans, especially on day one. Schwartzel opened with a 68 to share the first round lead with defending champion Lee Westwood. But he did admit that what started out as a strong gallery quickly disappeared when he made a double-bogey seven on the ninth. “There were quite a few people to start with, then I made seven and they

disappeared. Then I made four birdies in five holes on the back nine and they were back again. Coming down the last two or three holes there was a nice bunch of people following me. “Being the only South African in the field is nice. It helps when things aren’t going your way and people still motivate you. Everyone wants you to play well, and people shouting your name and urging you on makes you give it that little bit extra.”

“Being the only South African in the field is nice. It helps when things aren’t going your way and people still motivate you. Everyone wants you to play well, and people shouting your name and urging you on makes you give it that little bit extra.” - Charl Schwartzel

Westwood’s advice for the rookies

A Charl Schwartzel was the only South African golfer in the 2011 Nedbank Golf Challenge field. (Photos: Grant Leversha.)

lways one to lend a hand to his fellow professionals, defending champion Lee Westwood had a bit of special advice for Nedbank Golf Challenge rookies Francesco Molinari, Jason Dufner, Simon Dyson, Martin Kaymer, KT Kim and Graeme McDowell. “It’s nearly impossible to win on your first outing here,” he said by way of encouragement. “This golf course takes a lot of learning and experience is key. Things jump out at you from the bushes, even if you’re on the fairway. It can be brutal out there. It’s obviously very hot, and it’s important not to drink any water.”

VOLVO GOLF CHAMPIONS

Generations of Stars seek Volvo Golf Champions crown

olin Montgomerie, Louis Oosthuizen, Matteo Manassero and Tom Lewis are the latest stars to confirm their entry into the European Tour’s first-ever true ‘tournament of champions’ event, the Volvo Golf Champions, at The Links at Fancourt, from 19th – 22nd January. They join defending Champion, Paul Casey, 2011 Master Champion, Charl Schwartzel, two-time Major winner, Retief Goosen, and three-time winner on the 2011 European Tour, Thomas Björn in competing for a €350,000 (Approx. R3.5million) first prize and a prize fund of €2million (approx. R20million). Louis Oosthuizen, winner of the 2010 Open Championship joins a strong home challenge alongside fellow major winners, Goosen and Schwartzel. The South African trio have won six European Tour events on home soil and will each be hoping to add the Volvo Golf Champions title to their C.Vs. Local hero Louis Oosthuizen, whose home course, Mossel Bay Golf Club, is only 40km from Fancourt is very much looking forward to the 2012 Volvo Golf Champions, commenting, “It’s a real honour to have the event on the Western Cape and of course all the South African boys will be going all out to win it,” says the man whose career was aided by being part of the Fancourt-based Ernie Els Foundation, adding, “If I were to win the Volvo Golf Champions, it would be the closest I had won to home.” There is an interesting mix of experience and exuberance in the field including forty-something Montgomerie boasting 32 European Tour titles while 18-year old phenomenon Matteo Manassero has already notched up two wins since turning professional last year and 20-year old Tom Lewis burst on to the Tour winning only in his third event as a Professional at the Portugal Masters last month. The Volvo Golf Champions is an exclusive, limited field event with no cut, open only to European Tour players who have won an event on the previous year’s European Tour International Schedule, the only exception being current Tour Members with more than ten European Tour victories. With only a dozen events until the Tournament, an unprecedented gathering of global golfing talent is expected to line up at the world-acclaimed Links at Fancourt, recently voted number one course in the country and originally designed by South African golf legend Gary Player. For full eligibility criteria and more information visit www.volvoingolf.com.

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06 - 08 09 - 13 30 Jul - 01 Aug AUGUST

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NOVEMBER

TBC

** DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Sunday 22 January 2012 Check-in Welcome Braai Monday 23 January 2012 Golf - 18 holes. Morning & afternoon field Theme Dinner

SAVE THE DATE FOR

Tuesday 24 January 2012 Golf - 18 holes. Morning & afternoon field Evening at leisure Wednesday 25 January 2012 Golf - 18 holes. Morning & afternoon field Whisky & Wine tasting evening at Royal Swazi Spa Pool Terrace Thursday 26 January 2012 Golf - 18 holes. Seeded draw. Morning & afternoon field Prize Giving Dinner Friday 27 January 2012 Check out by 11h00 / Depart at leisure

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SENIOR NEWS

Calcavecchia gets his fairytale finish 20 years later Michael Vlismas

ark Calcavecchia stormed through the field with a sublime 67 to win the Nedbank Senior Challenge by a single stroke at the Gary Player Country Club in December. The American beat off a strong challenge from Ian Mark Calcavecchia. Picture: Grant Leversha

Woosnam to finish on nine under par and claim his maiden victory in this popular event. Woosnam missed a 25-foot birdie putt at the last to force a playoff. It was a sweet victory for Calcavecchia as he returned to a golf course where he finIshed second to Bernhard Langer in the regular Nedbank Golf Challenge in 1991. “I enjoyed myself immensely 20 years ago. I finished second to Bernhard Langer then, so it was good to be on the other side of that this year. I remembered most of the golf course and knew I liked it, and I’m very happy with this win,” he said. Calcavecchia didn’t let a weather delay of an hour-and-a-half deter him at all and kept his mistakes to a minimum in the final round of this 54-hole tournament. “I didn’t make any mistakes and I played pretty smart. I didn’t hit it in any spots

where I had to struggle for pars.” Woosnam closed with a 70 to finish on eight under alongside Bernhard Langer, who signed for a final round of 71. Nick Price closed with a 71 to share fourth place with David Frost on three under par. There was certainly no doubting who Price’s caddie was supporting. The man known as “Tiger” was wearing a popular clothing retailer’s red cap – Mr Price. Defending champion Jeff Sluman finished in a share of sixth place on two over. “You always want to beat your buddies, but it’s a bonus to have been here again. This is a world-class event,” he said. It was a feeling echoed by Mark O’Meara, who despite finishing last thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “It’s been fantastic. It’s really been a thrill to come back to South Africa and Sun City. The course has become longer as I’ve grown older, but it’s still in such good condition.”

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CAPE TOWN TO KIMBERLEY 3 NIGHTS/4 DAY GOLF SAFARI 2012 R7570 per person sharing

KIMBERLEY TO DURBAN 3 NIGHTS/4 DAY GOLF SAFARI 2012 R7050 per person sharing

DURBAN TO NELSPRUIT 5 NIGHTS/6 DAYS GOLF SAFARI 2012 R10995 per person sharing

Town Cape Town Cape Town Worcester Kimberley

Town Kimberley Drakensberg Durban Ballito

Town Durban Durban Ballito Ezulwini Nelspruit Nelspruit

Golf Course Arabella GC Clovelly GC Stellenbosch GC Kimberley GC

Golf Course Kimberley GC Drakensberg GC Durban CC Zimbali

Golf Course Durban CC Mount Edgecombe Zimbali Royal Swazi GC Skukuza GC Nelspruit GC

Departure dates: • 20.02.12 • 14.05.12 • 07.07.12 • 12.11.12

Departure dates: • 24.02.12 • 17.05.12 • 10.07.12 • 15.11.12

JOHANNESBURG TO DURBAN 5 NIGHTS/6 DAY GOLF SAFARI 2012 R11250 per person sharing

DURBAN TO CAPE TOWN 4 NIGHTS/5 DAY GOLF SAFARI 2012 R9050 per person sharing

KIMBERLEY TO CAPE TOWN 3 NIGHTS/ 4 DAYS GOLF SAFARI 2012 R7650 per person sharing

Town JHB Nelspruit Nelspruit Ezulwini Ballito Durban

Town Durban Drakensberg Kimberley Worcester Cape Town

Town Kimberley Worcester Cape Town Cape Town

Golf Course Royal Johannesburg Nelspruit GC Skukuza GC Royal Swazi GC Zimbali Durban CC

Departure dates: • 26.02.12 • 19.05.12 • 12.07.12 • 17.11.12

Golf Course Durban CC Drakensberg Gardens Kimberley GC Stellenbosch GC Clovelly GC

Departure dates: • 06.02.12 • 30.04.12 • 11.06.12 • 29.10.12

Departure dates: • 01.02.12 • 25.04.12 • 06.06.12 • 24.10.12

Golf Course Kimberley GC Stellenbosch GC Clovelly GC Arabella GC

Departure dates: • 08.02.12 • 02.05.12 • 13.06.12 • 31.10.12

Special offers for travel through Southern Africa by train.

assengers on board the Shongololo Express travel comfortably and securely at night, and wake up each day at a different destination. Like a cruise ship on land with no packing or unpacking involved. During the day, guests are taken on a variety of excursions by professional multilingual guides on air-conditioned touring vehicles, which are carried onboard. There are different excursions to choose from which are included in the price and a variety of additional extra optional activities such as open air vehicles, elephant back riding, private game lodges etc. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price. Shongololo Express provides travellers with a warm, friendly and special touring experience. Clients experience a casual and homely atmosphere aboard the train. It is a grand adventure from beginning to end.

7 Day Adventure from Johannesburg to Nelspruit (Panorama)

8 Day Adventure from Polokwane to Victoria Falls

• Johannesburg • Swaziland • Maputo • Maputo • Kruger National Park • Kruger National Park • Panorama Route (God’s window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Pilgrims Rest) • End of Tour

• Bela Bela check in on the rail to: •Beit Bridge Zimbabwe •Great Zimbabwe ruins •Antelope Park (walk with the lions) •Bulawayo & Matobo National Park •Hwange National Park• Zambia/ Livingstone •Chobe National Park Botswana •Victoria Falls •End of tour

Rate per person sharing: *Pre-nights are optional

Rate per person sharing: *Pre nights are optional

R11 191

Dates: 14 – 20 March 2012 16 -22 August 2012 Tour can also be done in reverse: Dates: 10 April – 16 April 2012 9 October – 15 Oct’ 2012

Dates:

R12 789

21 March – 28 March 2012 23 August – 30 August 2012

Tour can also be done in reverse: Dates: 2 April – 9 April 2012 1 Oct’ – 8 Oct’ 2012

Both tours are on a Dinner (four courses), Bed and Breakfast basis and includes guided tours and entrance fees. Accommodation is in either Commodore or Gold class with en suite facilities and air-conditioning. Excluded are all flights, lunches, drinks, laundry, gratuities, tips and anything of a personal nature.

Tee to Green / Rhode Island Series play magnificent KZN courses

The Tee to Green Rhode Island golf series visited Sakabula GC in October.

Mike McNamara from Prince’s Grant with second place winners Andrew Moses and Crispin Gell.

Mr Chris van Zyl from Sakabula GC with the lucky draw winner of the McNabs hamper.

Mizuno sponsored prizes worth R15 000.

Players each received a bag full of surprizes!

fter successfully hosting tournaments in Gauteng, Limpopo and the Free State, the Tee to Green Rhode Island Series travelled to the majestic KwaZulu-Natal province in October and November. Breathtaking scenery, championship courses and remarkable weather conditions gave Tee to Green’s golfers an experience to remember. The KZN leg of the series kicked off at Beachwood Country Club and this new destination turned out to be a real find - a hidden gem offering a superb challenge for golfers that enjoy a typical Links layout. The course proved a true challenge and the locals turned out in great numbers to support the series and enjoy 18 holes of spectacular golf. Ganas Naicker and Andrew Morgan combined superbly to beat Gordon Hildyard and Ian Waddell for first place. Solly Sibeko and Karl Schmidt finished third. After Durban, the series travelled inland to Sakabula Golf Club in the picturesque town of Howick. Against the backdrop of this historic town, also known as “The place of many waterfalls”, the course and its facilities, Sakabula was a true discovery. The stunning par 73 golf course is designed to give golfers an uninterrupted view of the splendour of the Drakensberg mountains while playing the first nine holes and the abundance of bird life in and around the wetland area of the second nine holes. Although the field was small compared to Beachwood, an incredible time was had by all, especially Lewellyn Keating, who swept first place in a slight breeze. Lieb Janse van Rensburg was second and Johan Binnedel took third. The series then travelled to Bluff National Park on the South Coast. Although the only golf course on the Bluff doesn’t offer sea views, it more than makes up for it with gorgeous wetlands and exotic wildlife that form the backdrop to your golfing experience. The players who took on this course during the series enjoyed a challenging day with slightly wet weather, but a solid partnership between Allen and Alwyn Joseph saw them triumph with 47 points. Johnny Frank and Mike Borstlap took second on a count out on 44 points over Neville Howes and Max Magnussen. Monday, 7 November, saw the Tee to Green Rhode Island Series tee off at one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most prestigious courses, Prince’s Grant. Situated on the breathtaking Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, this 18hole championship course designed by the renowned Peter Matkovich boasts large greens, generous and undulating fairways and views to inspire. The weather was sunny, breezy and humid and the perfect accent to an incredibly enjoyable day. Ponz Naidoo and Andrew Morgan scored a six point victory over their nearest challengers, Andrew Moses and Crispin Gell, who managed to sneak into second in a count out on 44 points over Kevin Edwards and Anand Karamchand.

For more information contact Erna Breytenbach on 082 464 8391 • erna@teetogreen.co.za • 0861 777 014

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LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!! Visit: w w w.teetogreen.co.za to BOOK NOW to avoid dissapointment

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Prince’s Grant

Bluf f National Park

Beachwood Country Club

Pietermaritzburg Golf Club

Akasia Golf Club

Pretoria Golf Club

Bronkhorstpruit Golf Club

EVERYONE WELCOME Open to the public

More info. Contact Erna 082 464 8391 • erna@teetogreen.co.za or Andrea 0861 777 014 • andrea@easygolf.co.za

- Half way vouchers - Light dinner - Ahead Cap - Srixon / Ma x fli balls - McNabs Energy supplements - Techniblock suncare products

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MARCH 2012

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SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

26 WIN 4 Mizuno prizes valued at R15 000 and much more 11 BUY a premium RHODE ISLAND SHIRT 18 for only R350 and get the following FREE 25 - Green fees

Play throughout the year, on courses country wide

April d n ha ble Mar c ar availa ry nd Cale e Februa in th n of TTG o editi

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SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

FEBRUARY 2012

The Tee to Green Rhode Island Golf Open Days

SAGA

A year to remember for amateur golf by Colin Burger, President of the South African Golf Association

• In March, South Africa’s number one ranked player Brandon Stone won the prestigious Proudfoot Trophy as the winner of the 36-hole Sanlam South African Amateur Championship Qualifier. In the Match Play however, it was an all-Scottish final with Michael Stewart claiming an emphatic 5 and 4 victory over compatriot Paul Shields at Vaal de Grace near Parys. • Also in March, 10 of our top amateurs passed their second international Test with flying colours by successfully defending their title against a strong Scottish national side. The Protea team, led by • A strong six-man French team, consisting of former SA Amateur champion Ryan Dreyer and their four top-ranked golfers, gave their South including Brandon Stone, Jared Harvey, Riekus African counterparts a lot to think about when they Nortje, CJ Du Plessis, Ruan de Smidt, Daniel comprehensively beat Brandon Stone, CJ du Plessis, Hammond, Haydn Porteous, Coenie Bester and Riekus Nortje, Ryan Dreyer, Ruan de Smidt and Hendre Cilliers, won by twenty-one points to seven. Daniel Hammond in a two-day Test at Gardener • South Africa celebrated more success in April by Ross now The Els Club Copperleaf. reclaiming the Zone VI title, which they lost to Kenya The visiting side won by eleven points to seven. in 2010. Coenie Bester, Jared Harvey, Daniel Sometimes the greatest learning curve comes in Hammond, Ruan de Smidt, Hendre Cilliers, Riekus defeat, and I know this experience was taken to Nortje, CJ du Plessis and captain Ryan Dreyer heart by our top players. combined for a winning score of 20 points to hold • In February, KwaZulu-Natal’s Jared Harvey off the host nation at the Leisure Lodge Golf Resort held off a strong international challenge at Mount on the south coast of Mombasa, Kenya. Edgecombe to lift the South African Stroke Play title • A junior team comprising Christiaan at the first extra playoff hole with Scotland’s David Bezuidenhout, Haydn Porteous, Martin Rohwer Law. and Armandt Scholtz triumphed for South Africa at the Toyota World Junior Team Championships Qualifier (also Visit vw.co.za known as the Africa Junior Golf Challenge) in Namibia. The four-man side comfortably beat nine other nations competing in the international championship for players under 19 at Windhoek Country Club with an aggregate of 847, finishing 16 shots clear of their nearest rival, Namibia. Porteous, 16, also won the Individual honours, finishing 11 shots clear of compatriot Bezuidenhout with a 72-hole total of 270. • In June, a six man Protea team comprising of Josef Fourie, Neil Homann, Hugo Delport, Rowan du Preez, Lyall McNeill and Gerry Coetzee scored an emphatic victory in the inaugural Test match between the two countries beating the host nation by 14-4 at the Windhoek The 6th generation GTI doesn’t pull any punches. It packs them. Country Club. Du Preez also With a sophisticated balance of undiluted power and technological beat McNeill by one shot for the advancement, it’s a difference you’ll feel when you drive it. It’s a GTI. Namibian Mid-Amateur Stroke Visit Strijdom Park Volkswagen to book a test drive. Play Championship title • South Africa’s junior golfers • Includes Volkswagen’s 3-year / 120 000km warranty, and 12-year produced an impressive anti-corrosion warranty. performance in Italy in August, • Includes a 5-year / 90 000km AutoMotion Service Plan as standard. with Tristan Strydom claiming a share of second at the fifth Italian Individual Championship 155kW New GTI. at the Golf Club Biella in Italy. Our U16 team, consisting of Snyman, Raubenheimer, Gouws and Lombard, also combined for a 304 team total to claim third place in the Nation’s Trophy 343 Malibongwe Drive, Ferndale. Tel (011) 795 5000 behind winners Italy on 294 and www.strijdomparkvw.co.za second-placed Denmark on 296. he South African Golf Association can look back on a highly successful 2011 in which we broke new ground with the appointment of a Junior Golf Co-ordinator, and were bestowed a great honour by the Department of Sport and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. On top of this, we celebrated a very successful season by our leading golfers on the fairways. As I look back on this year, the highlights for me were as follows:

The New GTI is here.

Strijdom Park Volkswagen

• In October and November, a dozen of our top amateur golfers flew the South African flag at three international golf tournaments. Brandon Stone, Haydn Porteous, Ruan De Smidt and Jared Harvey competed against teams from New Zealand, Australia and Argentina at The Four Nations Cup and took on the top New Zealand professionals and amateurs in the Shirley Open, where Harvey claimed a share of fifth and finished as the second highest ranked amateur. • Back home Graham van der Merwe, CJ du Plessis, Riekus Nortje and Daniel Hammond did duty at the African Amateur Golf Teams Championships (AAGTC) at Lake Club Benoni, where they claimed South Africa’s sixth consecutive victory in this biennial team competition. The South African side finished on a 72-hole total of 835, beating Namibia by a record 57 shots. • In November, Haydn Porteous and Ruan de Smidt paired up with Kim Williams and Iliska Verwey at The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championships in Houston, Texas. The entrants comprised of the leading 20 countries at the WATC last year and the standard was exceptionally high. The Protea side combined for a final round four under 140 to launch to a share of fifth on 14-underpar 562 alongside Japan and Germany, while Porteous and De Smidt finished in fifth place in the Men’s Team Competition. The pair was four shots off the pace from the United States, who held off Canada and Mexico for the title. • South Africa’s Jared Harvey and Graham van der Merwe rallied to a third place finish at the 16th Juan Carlos Tailhade Cup in Argentina. A few days later, Harvey also made it all the way to the semifinal in the 116th Argentine Amateur Championship in Buenos Aires. The reigning SA Amateur champion’s run came to a surprising end when he was knocked by local favourite Patricio Tolosa. • And, in a fitting end to the season, South Africa’s number one ranked golfer Brandon Stone ended a remarkable year by winning the Freddie Tait trophy for finishing as the leading amateur in the 101st playing of the South African Open Championship at the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate. Stone posted a final round of 73 to finish the week on three under par. Jared Harvey, the only other amateur to make the halfway cut, finished at two over par with a final round of 77. Finally, the South African Golf Association was nominated alongside Swimming South Africa and the South African Hockey Association in a new category to acknowledge the top federations in the country at the annual South African Sports Awards at Sun City in August. The SAGA finished second and this achievement was a welcome and well deserved verification of our continued efforts to improve and accomplish our goals. I am proud of what we as an association have managed to achieve this year, and I congratulate all our golfers and officials who have helped to make this a memorable year for South African amateur golf.

SAGTA

SA takes centre stage at IGTM From left to right: Bev Janse van Rensburg (On Show); Christof Hueckelheim (Manager Sales Central Europe – SAA); Sadiq Dindar (Manager Trade Relations: Global – SA Tourism); Deputy Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa; His Excellency, Tebogo Seokolo (South African Ambassador to Turkey); Numen Olcar (Honorary Council, SA Embassy, Turkey); Thabiso Magodielo (Chairman of SAGTA) with Natalie van Blerk (SAGTA Marketing and Administration from GEMC)

outh Africa was once again the talk of the show at this years International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) held in Belek, Turkey from the 15th – 18th November 2011. This thanks to the efforts and hard work throughout the year of the newly formed South African Golf Tourism Association (SAGTA), which was also introduced to the international golf tourism sector at IGTM. Most notable was the strong commitment shown by South Africa to golf tourism with the visit of the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Tokozile Xasa, who was accompanied by His Excellency, Tebogo Seokolo, South Africa’s Ambassador based in Turkey. The Deputy Minister commented “We are here to support the South African Golf Tourism Association, which has just been established, building on the legacy of South Africa having hosted the best World Cup ever. We know the golf tourism potential for South Africa, with more than 400 golf courses, some of which are the best in the world. That is why we have taken the opportunity to be present here to support this industry initiative.”

“We know the golf tourism potential for South Africa, with more than 400 golf courses, some of which are the best in the world.” The South African exhibitors made up of key golf venues and tour operators, held a total of 400 meetings over the three days. In total there were 1200 attendees at IGTM including 450 exhibitors and 350 buyers. The results of this should be realised shortly as golfers from around the world visit South African shores and “Leave Ordinary Golf Behind!” For more information on SAGTA, visit www.sagta.co.za or contact Natalie van Blerk on info@sagta.co.za.

FEELGOOD FAIRWAY

Fairway with Linda Scott • Nutritionist

Managing Stress in the Workplace T

he stresses and types of change experienced by employees today are totally different to anything encountered before. Change in the workplace previously moved in a linear direction, with company goals and the roles of the employees remaining fairly constant while the means of attaining the goals changed. Employees, while clear of their own roles, had to deal with increasingly fast-paced changes that were directed at improving familiar targets or goals. While this was stressful, it was nothing in comparison to the changes that characterise today’s business environment. Take for instance a digital-switching telecommunications manufacturer that suddenly discovers it has saturated the market. It is then faced with one of two options: either it closes down or rapidly reinvents itself. For instance, it could possibly change from a manufacturing to a service-based industry supplying appropriate software for the very equipment it has already sold. This sort of survivalist change requires radical restructuring, retraining and usually retrenchment. There will also be a fundamental change in the company goals and the roles of the remaining employees. The word hyperchange has crept into usage to try to encapsulate the unique stresses now facing most business employees. Hyperchange is characterised mostly by unpredictability, novelty and total loss of long-term job security. Hyperchange is associated with chronically high stress levels and low job satisfaction and productivity. Professor Ian Angell of the London School of Economics made the following rather bleak comment: “Job losses are not the result of some temporary downturn in the economic cycle but are the result of structural change. The lights are

going out for whole categories of employment. We are entering an age of hopelessness, and age of resentment, an age of rage.” Employees who have survived downsizing, restructuring or retrenchment often exhibit classic signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, a syndrome first noted in survivors of concentration camps and major wars. These symptoms include: • A devalued self-esteem, characterised by recurrent feelings (or dreams) of vulnerability and helpless rage. • Emotional numbness with a resulting decrease in the number of social contacts and relationships. • Mood swings, fatigue, sleep disturbances and an increased susceptibility to infection. Other symptoms indicative of a chronic stress overload include: • Depression, panic attacks, irritability, irrational outbursts, indecision and memory loss. • Increased deviant behaviour (this can include anything from physical aggression to eating binges), increased smoking and drinking, nail- and lip-biting, teeth grinding and constant finger- or foottapping. • High blood pressure, headaches, diarrhoea and chronic muscle pain. Hyperchange has led to an urgent need for all of us to find ways to become more flexible and overcome our natural resistance to change with its resultant high stress load. One of the most effective ways is to bring about the “relaxation response”. This phrase was coined by Herbert Benson, an associate professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical

School and founding president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute. During the relaxation response everything slows down including our heart and breathing rate, our blood pressure drops and our brain wave patterns change. The entire body-mind system becomes quiet and has an opportunity to rebalance itself. This state effectively antidotes the negative effects of a stress overload and provides us with a better chance of responding positively to rapid change in our lives. While Benson’s initial research focused on a particular meditation method he soon discovered that anyone can access this state at any time (except within two hours of a large meal) by simply following these instructions: Sit quietly in a comfortable position with eyes closed. Relax all your muscles, beginning with your feet and working up to your face. Breathe through your nose. Become aware of your breathing. As you breathe out, silently say the word ‘one’*. Breathe easily and naturally. Maintain a passive attitude, allowing relaxation to occur at its own pace. When distracting thoughts occur, do not dwell on them but return to silently repeating ‘one’ with each out breath. Do not worry about whether you are successful in achieving a deep level of relaxation. Continue for 10-20 minutes. You may open your eyes to check the time, but do not use an alarm. When you finish, sit quietly for several minutes before standing up. * Or any soothing sound, preferably with no meaning or association to avoid unnecessary thoughts.

For more information feel free to email healthline@mcnabs.biz

Hyperchange has led to an urgent need for all of us to find ways to become more flexible and overcome our natural resistance to change with its resultant high stress load.

Receive a daily FeelGood motivational message: www.mcnabs.biz

SWING THOUGHTS

Swing Thoughts with Theo Bezuidenhout

What does 2012 hold? Now is the perfect time to take a look at how 2012 could pan out and who could be hot or not.

Donald Domination

Luke Donald.

there anyone who can touch Luke Donald at the moment in terms of consistency? Not only has he dominated in Europe, but he has also succeeded where many European players have faltered: the PGA Tour. The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, Donald is such an easy-going character in terms of his mental game that the fanfare of the PGA Tour hardly phases him, and it has shown in how consistently he has played across the big pond. Secondly, Donald has an ace up his sleeve in that he is an adopted American. Let’s face it, does this sound like the pedigree of a European or an American player? Graduate of Northwestern University, coached by his ex-college coach (Pat Goss), married to a Chicago native and owner of two homes in the US in the states of Illinois and Florida. The bad news for all his competitors is that the short game master is here to stay as a serious contender for the number one spot in golf. He has also shown much more resolve in the mental aspects of the game and his fightbacks and composure when under pressure have been inspirational. This does beg one question though, will Donald deliver the Major his performances have hinted at? The one Major that Donald has struggled in the most is the US Open, so cross that one off the list. The British Open, by common consensus, is Luke’s best bet but he has not shown the ability to deal with his own Open’s weather and challenges. The joker in the Major pack for Donald may be the Masters. As our own Tim Clark has shown “shorter” hitters off the tee need not fear Augusta as much as they are supposed to. Two other factors also play into Donald’s hands when one looks at Augusta. Driving accuracy is at a premium and although Donald is not the longest he is definitely one of the most accurate (77% in Europe and 64% in the US). Secondly, THAT short game. Donald is a living legend in the department and some other contenders would beg, borrow or steal some of his touch on and around the greens.

without being too dramatic, could it be any worse than the White Elephant you are putting with at the moment?

An Asian tsunami

Over 40s to win more Majors? Although players in the over 40 age bracket have not dominated the world rankings and money winners lists like before, they have certainly not disappointed in the Majors over the last decade. Vijay Singh, Darren Clarke, Angel Cabrera and Stewart Cink are only a few who have steppedup when the pressure has been on. Look at 2012 to deliver even more magic by the “more experienced” players. Unfortunately this does not look to include Ernie Els as he has not only lost the putting touch that gave him legendary Major victories but he has also faltered in the swing department. A 79 in his last round at the SA Open bearing sad testimony to this. On the bright side however Ernie’s old sparring partner Retief Goosen has been showing glimpses of a revival. If he can sort out the putting department Swing Thoughts believes that he can make a great run at a Major, maybe another national Open to go with his US and SA Opens? (British Open?) So please, Retief, make sure someone puts a short putter in your Christmas stocking. You always looked better with it and

The Asian nations already dominate ladies golf and although it has taken somewhat longer, look to the East to start their climb to the top of world golf. Having already tasted Major success with YE Yang and with Asian players such as KJ Choi and Ryo Ishikawa becoming household golfing names, Asia will provide the next wave of domination. What odds for another Asian Major winner before the end of 2012? The Crystal ball looks good in this regard, and we know that belief is half of the battle. Speaking of top golfing nations, us Saffers aren’t taking a step back either. With two Majors in two years, thanks to Messrs Schwartzel and Oosthuizen, and with seven wins on this year’s European Tour, SA golfing stocks are soaring. Even more exciting than this is the inspiration these wins have given the next tier of South African players. Young Turks such as Jbe Kruger, Thomas Aiken, George Coetzee and Garth Mulroy have shown that our co-sanctioned European events are no longer just a pitch-up-and-win for the Europeans. In fact the European continent has proven to be quite a happy hunting ground for our players and look at this trend to continue. Especially as more and more of our top amateurs are playing in Europe before turning pro, gaining invaluable experience in the process. All in all 2012 looks to be a great golfing year and with a Ryder Cup to boot no other sport will offer the depth of competition and drama that golf does. South Africa will play a big role in this drama in a golfing landscape PT (Post-Tiger). Lastly, if Swing Thoughts could ask Santa for one thing under the tree next year could it be another Major? Let’s be honest Santa, we’ve all been very good this year on the course. Haven’t we?

IS PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SWING THOUGHTS. titleist.co.uk

LEGEND GOLF & SAFARI RESORT Legend Golf and Safari Resort.

Play a true Legend

estled in the shadow of the Hanglip Mountain, the Legend Golf and Safari Resort has in a remarkably short space of time established itself as a the ultimate golf experience. The 18-hole championship layout set a new benchmark in world golf when it took 18 of the world’s greatest golfers and asked them to each design a golf hole worthy of this magnificent piece of land. The result is a collection of the finest holes in the game, and a course that is able to test both the professionals while still remaining enjoyable for the amateurs. As a championship test, the course excels as the longest par-72 layout in the world. The opening five holes are all a massive challenge. The first is a par-five that plays around 526 metres long for the professionals, followed by the roughly 418-metre par-four second and third holes, the 182-metre par-

three fourth and the 448-metre par-four fifth hole. It’s known simply as “The Stretch”. “It’s a beast of a course,” said Sunshine Tour professional Neil Cheetham. “The intimidation factor on those long par fours is there because you have to really hit your tee shot well.” But the amateur need not fear. Five sets of tee boxes means that it can be set up for every level of golfer to gain the maximum enjoyment from a golf experience which comes at excellent value for money. The temporary clubhouse is more than sufficient for the time being, and plans are in place for the new clubhouse to open in the near future. But the true beauty of this course is its feeling of tranquillity, yet it remains so accessible from Johannesburg and Pretoria. The drive there is a pleasure, and the roads are all of a decent standard.

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www.citylodge.co.za • 0800 113 790

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There is also the added benefit of being able to sharpen up your game on the Tribute Course, which offers 10 magnificent par threes, each an exact replica of some of the most famous par threes in world golf. During a recent Sunshine Tour event at Legends Golf and Safari Resort, several tour professionals opted to hone their games on this layout. And the coup de grace of this golf experience has to be the Extreme 19th. A first in the game, golfers can take a helicopter ride up the Hanglip Mountain and then launch a drive off the cliff to a green in the shape of Africa 400 metres below. The resort offers luxurious ccommodation on site and in the neighbouring Big Five Entabeni Safari Conservancy. So bring three of your closest golfing friends and you’ll play for free on either the Signature Course, Tribute Course or the Extreme 19th. For more details see the advert on this page. And you could even win a weekend at this spectacular resort. It’s called Legend for a reason. Now come and experience it.

JOBURG GEMS

Joburg Gems return from IGTM

he city of Johannesburg made its debut at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), which took place in Turkey from 15 to 18 November 2011. Represented by Pumla Ntsele (The Johannesburg Tourism Company) and Lauren Collier (Joburg Gems), the city’s leisure and golf amenities

were directly marketed to an audience of over 1200 international travel exhibitors, buyers and media. This year, there were 16 South African golf-related products and companies that attended IGTM including South African Tourism, Limpopo Golf & Safari Route, Sun International, Fancourt, Legend Golf & Safari Resort, Ascot Tours and EasyGolf. The city of Johannesburg received many enquiries at IGTM, including from representatives based in China, England, Germany, Sweden, Spain, India, Kenya and the United States; as well as from South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms. Tokozile Xasa and the South African Ambassador to Turkey, Mr. Tebogo Seokolo, who attended the event as a show of support. Speaking on behalf of Joburg Gems, Lauren Collier said, “Our presence at IGTM allowed us to showcase the city of Joburg as more than just a business destination – it is a premier golf and leisure destination as well. Of course, we also highlighted the fact that the Pumla Ntsele and Lauren Collier show the Deputy Minister of Tourism, ball flies further in Joburg due to the Ms. Tokozile Xasa and the South African Ambassador to Turkey, Mr. altitude!” Tebogo Seokolo, the magnificent golf facilities in Johannesburg.

BE SURE TO GET TO ROYAL JOHANNESBURG & KENSINGTON GOLF CLUB FROM 12 - 15 JANUARY 2012 FOR THE JOBURG OPEN!

PLAY GOLF IN JOBURG DURING DECEMBER

ake advantage of Joburg being quieter during the festive season and play to your heart’s content on some of the country’s most established and beautiful parkland golf courses. For just R800, you can enjoy three rounds of golf on a choice of seven golf courses at the five Joburg Gems golf clubs, namely Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, Glendower Golf Club, Randpark Golf Club, Parkview Golf Club and The Bryanston Country Club. Add in a two-night stay at the luxurious Fairway Hotel & Golf Resort, conveniently located on-site at Randpark Golf Club, and pay just R2 300 per person sharing (includes three rounds of golf each). Packages can be customised to be shorter or longer, and golf lessons, spa treatments and sightseeing excursions can also be added to the itinerary. Contact Natalie on 082 805 6643 or email natalievblerk@gemcmarketing.co.za for bookings or more information.

For just R800, you can enjoy three rounds of golf on a choice of seven golf courses at the five Joburg Gems golf clubs...

TEE TALK: KURT DARREN

KURT DARREN A

Kaptein of his own ship

recent music industry study showed that at least one in three people in South Africa own a Kurt Darren album. That is quite a milestone for a charismatic guy with a toothy smile from Irene who “just wanted to make music” when he started out more than 20 years ago. Darren completed his military training in the late eighties and spent the next 13 years driving from one town to the next, rigging his own sets and singing ballads at corporate functions, bars and small venues across South Africa. Between 1995 and 2001, he released five albums that hardly caused a stir on the charts, but after a three month stint on a

cruiseliner, Darren dropped some weight, cut his shoulder length hair and broke into the big time with Meisie, Meisie. This smash went double platinum in 2002 and outperformed critically acclaimed albums by Dido, Eminem and Norah Jones the same year. Selling more than 170 million records, Meisie Meisie brought Darren world wide recognition. Since then the Pretoria native has released a string of other winners including Loslappie, Hemel op Tafelberg, Staan Op, Alleen and Kaptein. With 14 solo albums to his name and his biggest hits translated and released into a number of European countries, including Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, Darren

has no plans to slow down. But Kurt Darren, or “The Big K.D” as he is known to his millions of fans, is also a bit of an enigma. A global music icon, South Africa’s top selling artist and one of the most talented song writers ever, Darren also holds a doctorate in chemical engineering, social philosophy and actuarial science and has mastered various martial arts disciplines. And, as Lali Stander discovered during the South African Inter-Provincial Tournament at Bloemfontein Golf Club, the country’s golden boy is also one of the biggest golf nuts to walk the fairways in South Africa.

Fancy finding Kurt Darren hiding behind a tree, watching golf? Hahaha. I just wanted to catch a bit of the action, see how the Gauteng North team were doing, but I wanted to remain incognito. A self-confessed golf nut. Tell me about how you got started in golf. My dad actually taught my brothers and I at Irene Golf Club from a young age. I don’t think any of us were in our teens yet. It was something we boys could do together and it turns out we all loved golf. With your schedule, how much do you get to play? Most of the time, my clubs travel with me and I try to play wherever I can grab a game. It’s tough in my line of work, with all the shows and travelling, but I try to get to the course at least once a week. Luckily I get invited to play quite a bit - charity days, corporate days and pro-ams - but it means clearing time and that’s always tricky. I’m just a rubbish medium golfer, because I don’t play enough to improve. Yet you and Corrie Saunders came close to beating Breyten Paulse and his partner in the MTN SuperSport Shootout at Simola! You can’t be all that bad. Second is pretty impressive! Yeah, but Corrie did all the hard work! He is playing at a level I could just dream of. Do you know how tough those last 10 holes at Simola was? I’ve had some pressure on me in my life, like signing the national anthem in a packed Loftus or on Skouspel, but nothing comes close to the pressure of having those SuperSport cameras around you all the time. You know, we’re not PGA professionals; we’re not used to having every shot filmed. That was the worst kind of pressure. But I got myself a golf coach now. Dougie Wood at Serengeti started coaching me in September and the ProShop has sponsored me with a new set of Pings. I’m determined to contribute next year!

Kurt Darren is a keen golfer and takes his golf clubs with him on tour.

Which are your favourite golf courses? I’ve played most of the top courses in South Africa, like Leopard Creek and Gary Player. We have so many incredible courses in this country. I definitely love Serengeti, that’s why I’m a member there. I think it’s going to be a fantastic venue for the SA Open this year. I also love Gardener Ross (Copper Leaf). I think it’s a great course for any handicap golfer. And I just love Legends. Besides the fact that it’s in the bush in the most beautiful setting, there is something very special about playing 18 holes designed by the world’s greatest golfers. One of my best golfing memories has to be standing next to Gary Player and Luke Donald at the 19th hole at Legends and watching a legend and a world number one play that monster hole.

TEE TALK: KURT DARREN

You seem to favour the longer courses? I’m not the longest hitter, but I love target golf and the challenge of the long courses. Nothing beats the thrill of hitting it close on a target green or getting to the short par-fours in two or the par-fives in three for birdie. I’ve become a specialist out of the semi-rough through necessity, so those courses don’t intimidate me. Psychologically, I play better from the first cut than the fairway. Do you have a regular fourball? Yes, Robbie Cruse from Jacaranda, my brother Darryn van Heerden and Karel Krog, a good friend of mine. And every now and then Corrie throws me a bone and lets me play with him. Who are the pro golfers you admire? I admire the top golfers like Lee Westwood and Luke Donald, but I mostly look up to our South Africans. Ernie and Retief, for obvious reasons, and guys like Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. I think they are just starting to show us what they can accomplish. Last year Jacaranda had a unit at Leopard Creek during the Alfred Dunhill Championship and James Kingston came past the studio and invited me for a braai. Charl and Louis made a biltong potjie and I found them to be two of the nicest guys; so down to earth, full of jokes. James Kingston has got to be one of the biggest gentlemen of the game. And then there is Thomas Aiken, George Coetzee;

little Jbe’ Kruger from Bloemfontein, also just starting to make their mark. And with guys like Brandon Stone coming through the ranks, it can only continue to improve. I think South African golf is in a very healthy place. Fantasy Fourball? Ernie Els, because he is still my foremost golfing hero; Victor Matfield, because he is just a solid legend and Elvis Presley, my ultimate hero since childhood. If you could tee it up in any Major, which one would it be? Hmm. I would pick Africa’s Major, the Nedbank Golf Challenge. When else will you ever get the chance to play with 12 of the best golfers in the world at one of the best courses in the world? And all the glitz and glamour that goes with it . I’d like to play in the Masters at Augusta and the British Open, but you did say I could pick just one! Do you think Tiger Woods can still make a comeback? Marriage wise or golf wise? Laughs. I still believe he can come back because that kind of talent doesn’t just disappear overnight. I just think the odds against him are so much greater and the longer it takes him to get back to his previous form, the harder it’s going to get. It’s more a head thing than a form thing with him. Continues on p.29

Kurt Darren showing his rugby colours at Loftus Versfeld.

30 But no matter what you think, he was great for golf and it would be great for golf if he can come back and challenge for Nicklaus’ record. Our parents watched the greats – Player, Nicklaus, Palmer – and we were incredibly privileged to be part of the scenery when he was setting all those records; it would be a great loss to golf if he doesn’t try again. Let’s talk music for a bit. Who were the greatest influences on your career? I would say Kosie van Niekerk and Ernst Klein from Select Music. I had released five CDs with very little to show for it when I signed with them. And you and Kosie also share a love of golf? Actually, here is something most people don’t know about me and that is that golf is where it all starts. Golf is at the heart of my music. When I need to compose new songs, Kosie and I go his place at Pinnacle Point near Mossel Bay. We tee off early in the morning, play 18 holes and then we open a good bottle of red and start writing. All my best songs, all my hits – Kaptein, Hemel of Tafelberg – they all started with a round of golf. Looking back at your career, is there anything that you would have done differently? Oh yes, absolutely. Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday concert in London’s Hyde Park in 2008. I was given the incredible honour of performing at this concert and there I was, all decked out and ready to go on stage in front of 80,000 people to sing Standing on the Edge and suddenly they tell me that Amy Winehouse was out of rehab and needed a slot. So they put Eddie Grant and I together and we sang Gimme Hope Joanna. It was still great, but to this day, I regret that I didn’t have the guts to just launch into the chorus of Loslappie

at the end of our song. There were so many South Africans, I should have just done it. I thought I shouldn’t abuse the platform, but I should have belted out the chorus of Loslappie. If I ever at chance again, I won’t be such a chicken. You’ve had so many hits; are you still surprised when a new song hits the top of the charts? Oh, absolutely. You always write something with the hope that it would be a hit, but it’s always a surprise. Like Onbeskryflik, which I wrote for Dunay this year. I couldn’t believe how quickly it became a hit. It’s thrilling and humbling and just a beautiful surprise.

TEE TALK: KURT DARREN

“I should have belted out the chorus of Loslappie. I should have done it and if I ever get that chance again, I won’t be such a chicken.”

So what is on Kurt Darren’s bucket list? I’m busy with my chopper licence and I’m so excited. I’ve got nine hours so far and all I want to do is fly, fly, fly. I’ve released a lot of albums, had some go platinum; I’ve had loads of nominations, Tempos, South African Music Awards and stuff, but I’ve never, ever been recognised as a songwriter. That’s something to aspire to. The end of 2011 is in sight. What have you got planned for the holidays? How to the Darrens celebrate Christmas? I’m always on Tour this time of year, but this year my wife, Dunay and I, are having our first Christmas together so we are looking forward to us starting our own family Christmas traditions. We’ll be somewhere in the Cape, either at her parents or my brother’s in Langebaan.

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And what is the Captain up to in 2012? We are going on the road in the biggest way ever. Myself, the KD band, dancers and my golf clubs for 80 shows across South Africa with all my greatest hits. It’s going to be a blast!

Kurt with some of his rugby player friends including Toks van der Linde, Breyton Paulse, Percy Montgomerie and Chester Williams.

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