NATAL NOMADS Golf Club Monthly issue Newsletter Cato Golf Club Volume 2 Issue 11 2019 | Page 25

Janus with his playing partners at the famous Swilcan
Bridge which spans the swilcan burn between the
first and Eighteenth fairways of the St Andrews Links
Course, as is customary to show some homage or
respect to the structure which was built at least 700
years ago.
The Championships Dinner was held at the Pavilion, and we were
greeted by a convoy of Mercedes Benz courtesy cars parked outside the hotel. A driver took us to the Pavillion
which had been transformed into a banquet venue and red carpet welcome by many fans. The whole town had
arrived for the much anticipated fireworks display and WOW, it was the best I had ever seen! That alone was
something special.
We sat at an all South African table with names like Trevor Immelman, Vinny Jones, Ernie Els, Justin Rose, Peter
Jones, Ronan Keating, Justin Timberlake and Jaqcues Kallis just to name a few appearing on the seating Plan.
The evening was phenomenal! The food amazing! 110 000 pounds raised for golf development in South Africa.
Then the party started….
So many guys took the stage to sing! Ronan Keating was a star! Well done to Justin Rose, Bill Murray and Oom
Schalk Burger for keeping us all entertained. We managed to sneak out at 3 am, with the party still in full swing!
Sunday morning, I played at Kingsbarnes. One of the most scenic courses I have ever played. At 300 pounds a
round, I would never have been able to play here, enjoyed the front nine, being the easier of the two nines in my
opinion, the wind and the beach on the back nine, with guys hitting a driver on a par 3 was definitely a first for me.
After the golf we went back to St Andrews to watch the last 8 fourballs come in. Kelly and I went to sat on the main
grandstand to experience St Andrews.
We had an early night as I had to play St Andrews Old Course the next day.
On arrival at the Old Course, each player received a fantastic goodie bag from Dunhill for the Alfred Dunhill
Challenge.
It was a shotgun start and I was unfortunately made to start on the 17 th !! I hit the hotel, but managed to make a
bogey. I was disappointed with my golf as I think the moment was too big.
Luckily my drive on the 9 th with a 3 wood, and managing the 1 st of 2 birdies on the day helped a little.
My team finished 5 th and unfortunately I did not contribute much with my partners shooting 72, 73 and 74 on the
day with me coming in with 86.
I could have played at Carnoustie the next day, but we had made plans to spend a few days in Edinburgh and then
off to London.
The next morning our chauffer picked us up and took us through to Edinburgh.
This was by far the best prize, I have ever won!! The experience was fantastic! Something I will cherish for the
rest of my life.
Thank you Mr Rupert, GOLFRSA and NOMADS for spoiling us.
I will be buying a ticket or 2 for the draw next year and anyone that has not bought one, you missing out!
At least my wife now know’s that the guys sitting next to us at the dinner banquet were not famous golfers, but
actually cricket players.. AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher.