Page 6 - Nationals 2024

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positive and unique initiatives, which can then be introduced into
other Clubs, not already doing so. My first of these coincided with
their 30th Anniversary – Boland. What a special place to visit and
thanks to Jaco Minnie and his committee for their hospitality, as well
as co-ordinator, Rian Van Der Merwe on a superb anniversary. Alten
Hulme, being close to home, looked after us and arranged some very
enjoyable entertainment in and around Stellenbosch. With 31 points
under the belt, it was off to my next trip.
Two days later I was in Bulawayo for the Zimbabwe Nationals. If
you have never attended a Zimbabwe Nationals - it is worth it! A
divisional runner up on day 2 and then the overall prize collected on
behalf of our South African team, made it a very memorable event.
Thanks Ben and Chenge for your hospitality.

National sponsors play a vital role in our organiasation and it is incumbent upon each Nomad to support them as far as possible.
Then sponsor, Motus, held their challenge at the magnificent Fancourt from 29 June. Thanks once again to Alten who extended
me an invitation and put together a magical Fancourt experience. It was made even better when Past National Chairman, Rich-
ard Plumb (a Links member), managed to get us a game on that unbelievable layout. Nomads and Motus hosted some of our
country’s finest Development juniors, and Daniel Bennett again showed his class when he shot a 68 off the very back black tees.
The professionals play off the “easier” yellow tees. Watch that name in years to come!

On 8 and 9 July I attended the annual Langham Edward and Drakensburg Gardens Cup competitions, played between Gauteng,
Natal and Southern Natal. The events were hosted at Royal Durban and Cotswold Downs.

The following day I made my way down the coast to Selborne, where I was hosted for dinner by Bob Hall and his Southern Natal
committee. An early drive on Tuesday to play the monthly
game at Wild Coast followed. 31 points and still on track.
Thanks to Bob and his team and good luck with your 40th
anniversary in September.
The second Zambia National tournament was held from 19
July. With the new 3 round playing format the event was a
huge success. Thorsten Hofmeister went out of his way to
ensure I enjoyed every minute for which I will always be
grateful. While the trip is a fairly expensive one, it is certainly
well worth it. The SA contingent were well represented and
congratulations to everybody involved.
On 3 August I made my way down to Southern Cape for my
official visit and to also experience the highly popular Sea-
board tournament between WP, Boland, Southern Cape,
Eastern Cape and Border. Tjoepie Pretorius collected me from
the airport and we spent three great days around George. How
can one forget going to a place like Pieta se Plek for drinks and music. It was a busy few days with their Andrew Mentis day at
George, the Seaboard at Pinnacle Point and the monthly game at George on Sunday, where I managed 26 points.

Another National sponsor event is the Glenbrynth Challenge, played at Highland Gate over two days (19 and 20 August) and
competed for between Gauteng, Easterns, Northerns, Lowveld and Eswatini.

On 5 September I was asked to read the Creed at a very sad occasion – the memorial service of Honorary Life Member – Brian
Cusins. I was honoured to be there. May he rest in peace.

It was then off to my final International Nationals on 14 September – Botswana. I have worked closely with Schalk Coetzee over
the year and he is very dedicated to Nomads and this character was again on display at their tournament. The Phakalane Estate
is a perfect venue for hosting the event and Taff Williams kept us all entertained throughout the weekend.
My official visit to Natal coincided with their 60th anniversary and was played at Selborne on 30 September. It was preceded by
the National Management Meeting on the Saturday. I was hosted by Butch Armitage and his committee for the entire 5 days and
enjoyed a well orchestrated fourball on Sunday, with Butch, Chad Walters and Peter Runkel. With no wind to speak of, my 31
points should have been more. Congratulations to Captain Butch and to Chad, who coordinated, on an excellent job.
The day after my birthday I flew into East London. I was hosted that evening by Theo Enechi and his committee for dinner at
Old Selbornians. Border is one of two Clubs that play their Andrew Mentis day and their monthly game simultaneously on a
Sunday, which we played on 15 October. Once again we experienced no wind at East London and my 38 points reflected the con-
ditions. Well done to Theo and Mbu on all their efforts in making a success of the very well attended Andrew Mentis day.
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