Newsletter | July 2023

Winter has set in, and our Course has soaked in all the rain, making our fairways and greens look good. It was not so long ago that we were wondering if we would survive because we had little or no water and after the heavy rains, we were wondering how we can get the water off the course. As in life, never a dull moment.

In my report last month, I said a few things that I got a lot of criticism for, but like my pronunciation of the birthday names they don’t always come out as they should.  Same when I am writing – doesn’t always come out as I am thinking.

Projects

Our wall along the road has come to a grinding halt.  The reason being we were reported by one of the residents of Sunset Links to the Environmental Department that we were damaging the dunes, so the environmental department stopped all work until we get a permit to continue, but this is how silly it is, if the wall was under 300 meters it would have been acceptable, but our wall is 313 meters.  We suggested stopping at 299 meters but because the foundation was laid, they could not accept.

Water Purification is an ongoing concern to purify our water supply and we have had many meetings with experts on the best solutions.

Half Way House

We have received a layout plan of the upgrade of the Half Way House.  This needs a few changes and when we have completed the changes, we will put it on the Notice Board so you can have the opportunity to have your say !!  50% of our income is generated from Visitors and our current Halfway House is an absolute disgrace.

Driving Range

With the new tee box, it gives Arno room to move his practice arreas around which means that you always have a perfect surface to practice on.  Again I ask for your continued support for Him and know that it’s not very enticing to go out in this very cold weather, but remember that what you put in is what you get out !! Reap your Rewards !!!

Half Way House

Many Members have found an improvement of our Half Way house quality of the Food. The Service has somewhat plenty room for improvement, especially attention to detail when taking orders on busy days.

Pro Shop

Our Pro Shop is looking a lot better with all the changes that Debbie and her Team have made.  Well done to you all and I hope that the Members have taken note.

A tip from the great man Arnold Palmer

I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone’s game: It’s called an eraser.

Regards

Billy O’Brien
Captain

We welcome the following new members

Monthly Golf Fixtures & Results

Lady Captain’s Corner

Hey there, lovely ladies! It’s that time of year when the weather becomes the hottest topic on everyone’s lips. And guess what? When the sun’s shining, it’s the perfect cue to grab your clubs, gather your besties, and head to the course. It’s time to swing, knock that small ball, and watch it dance into the cup. Trust me, there’s nothing more satisfying!

League Drama

Mother Nature seemed to have a grudge against us, as we battled through miserable weather the day of our June league matches. Cold and rain dominated the day, and to top it off, it took a whopping 6 hours to play with some teams playing the last holes in the dark! Well, let’s just say the scores weren’t exactly par-worthy. But hey, don’t lose hope! Our 5^th league team may have slipped into 2^nd place, but with two more matches to go, we’re still in the running for that coveted top spot. Let’s bring our A-game, rain or shine!

Terrific Tuesdays in June

Now, let’s talk about a beautiful day that unfolded when we played our Monthly Medal. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and oh boy, what a fantastic turnout we had! Plus, we had the pleasure of welcoming a new member, Lemao Motaung, who wasted no time playing in the competition just a week after signing up. Talk about enthusiasm! And guess what? Lemao not only joined our golfing family but also snatched the prize for the best putting. Way to make an entrance, Lemao!

But that’s not all. We were also graced with the presence of two visitors, Barbara Schwarz and Jenny Whittal, who played at the back of the field and joined us at prizegiving. They couldn’t help but marvel at the breathtaking setting of our course. I have a feeling we’ll be welcoming them into the family very soon. The more, the merrier!

Unleashing the Marine Shield Competition

After some unfortunate rain-related delays, the golf gods finally smiled upon us, granting a beautiful day for the Marine Shield competition on the 20^th. And who emerged as the unstoppable force, claiming the trophy? None other than Karien van Rooyen! Give it up for Karien, ladies. She’s on fire!

Monthly Competition Maestros

A thunderous round of applause for all our competition winners! Well done, ladies!

That’s all for this month’s update. As the sun continues to grace us with its presence, let’s make the most of it. Swing those clubs, enjoy the camaraderie, and create unforgettable memories on the course. Until next time, keep shining!

Cheers,

Ntsoti Morojele
Lady Captain 2023

Seniors’ Corner

Greeting, all seniors,

It was with shock that we had to say farewell to Sona Dass, fellow golfer and a dear friend, who passed away suddenly on the 10^th of June. Sona, of course became “famous” as the golfer who played a record 711 rounds of golf in one calendar year. He will be greatly missed. We convey our sincere condolences to the family and hope they find peace and acceptance in their moment in grief.

We will remember him.

Then, the competition results for June:

• 6 June 2023: Madie Odendaal, Gideon Odendaal, Herman Kuhn, Walter Stertzl – 92pts
• 12 June 2023: Ivar Drewierte, Herman Kuhn, Bruce Wynton, Gideon Odendaal – 92pts
• 19 June 2023: Cancelled due to weather. A new song by ‘Wet Wet Wet’.
•  26 June 2023: Rina Buckley, Johnny de Lange, Ken Anderson, Peter Seifritz – 91pts

Swing smooth and connect true.

Happy golfing.

Cheers
Shaun Buchanan

Golf Course Report

Hi all members,

What a month June has been, from having a course with no water 4 months ago to the deluge that came down this month, Milnerton can be proud to have Mark and the green keeping staff on their books, for them to get rid of all that water that came from the flooding of the lagoon is a testament of what can be achieved when its needed most. That happened on a Friday, to have the course playable on Saturday afternoon was a minor miracle, appreciate the effort it took from all.

You might have noticed that we are still fixing up the greens and surrounds and fairways, this will be an ongoing exercise which has not been easy with all the rain that has been falling, but happy to see the way most greens have been fixed and we are concentrating on the fairways and surrounds now. You may also have noticed that we have cut the tee on the 4th all one length and taking the fairway of the 4th more to the left , the reason for this is to give the fairway more of a dog leg to the right so that when on the tee it’s just not a straight looking hole to the green, one will only get the right impression when it all starts to grow. Cutting the tees all one length give us a much bigger area to place our tee markers and saves the greenkeeper from sending two mowers to every tee, and it will give the course that links feeling. We are only going to do this hole as template to see if that is what the committee and its members would like to see the rest of the course to be the same.. This month of July we will be starting on the new Tees on the 7th and 13th and seeding the areas that have been messed up by all the excavating of the 7th dam.

Once again please can all golf car users stick to the rough around the greens, it helps the recovery of these areas very much.

Happy golfing.

Cheers
Shaun Buchanan

Functions