Captain Shouts Fore – August 2015

I suspect that in April next year, when my final report is due and I have to look back and reflect on the highlights of my Captaincy, the month of August 2015 will certainly stand out. There will be two reasons for that, the trophies at both Drakensburg Cup and Langham Edward and my 40 points at Royal.

On 14 August fourteen of us gathered at Sica’s Guest House in Berea (owned and managed by Natal Vice-Captain, Janus Horn). He put on a great spread and we were treated to free drinks by the Natal Captain, John Elliott. Early Saturday morning tee off at Royal Durban against Southern Natal and Natal. What a pleasure it was to receive the Drakensburg Cup trophy on behalf of Gauteng. As history will show, it is not easy to beat those guys at their home track in the wind. Sunday morning and off to Cotswold Downs to compete for the oldest inter club competition in Nomads, the Langham Edward Trophy. The course was set up like the final round at the US Open and the greens were as slick as some of our Joburg winter greens. The conditions must have favoured Gauteng as we won the trophy, which hasn’t been done since 2006. I do not have the statistics but would has it a guess that the Durban double has not been done for years. My thanks and congratulations to those Gauteng Nomads that made the trip a memorable one.

We have so many great golf courses in Johannesburg and Royal Johannesburg & Kensington is no exception. We have in the past seemed to play the East course with monotonous regularity and a change to the West course seemed a good idea. As it turns out it was an inspired change and achieving a silver salver as Gauteng Captain will not be forgotten. In 2013 I needed a birdie up the 18^th at CMR for 40 points and made the putt and once again at Royal needed another birdie up 18 for 40 and made the putt. My thanks to the Vice-Captain of Royal, Nigel Sand, our soon to be new National Imperial sponsor member, Jeremy Lumley and Heinz Walter, who received his 30 year tie that day, for joining me at the game. Even though Heinz and I were opposition that day, he is a 30 year Nomad and I could hear him willing in that putt on the last.

After the game and at the very poorly attended prize-giving (37 players paid to go in a field of 128) I had the privilege of inducting a long-time friend and colleague, Russell James. For the handful of members there, you will have noticed that we have adopted a new induction format. In future the inductee will be presented with his jacket and tie on the evening he is inducted. We have intentionally requested the inductee to not wear a jacket at prize-giving so the members can identify those persons being inducted that evening.

Consistent non-attendance at prize-giving is being recorded. If you have a valid reason for not being able to attend, be it medical or otherwise, you are to inform the Captain of the reason. I leave you with another extract from my Captain’s report –

“I believe that the term “prize-giving” is an inaccurate description of what takes place after any Nomads game ……. attendance at the post-game function should be compulsory and is required to remain informed about Nomadic activities, pay your respects to those for whom the bell has tolled, welcome newly inducted Nomads and give recognition to those Nomads who have achieved awards over many years of service and to acknowledge both National and local sponsors.”      

See you at the next game and post-game function.

Graham Bishop