Golf @Kingswood

What has happened on the Kingswood course since we last spoke to Kingswood Golf Operations (KGO) chief Liesel Niehaus, partner Mike Quinn and their team?

‘The mild weather between March and June allowed for much action on and off the course,’ says Liesel – and the report below bears witness to this claim.

March – for wealth and rhinos and Rico

The first PSG Wealth Outeniqua 2023 Cup event of the year took place on Wednesday 29 March. The brainchild of Pierre Durant (Kingswood homeowner, golf member and Men’s Golf Committee member), this tournament is generously sponsored by PSG Wealth Outeniqua. The event was the first of nine that take place between March and November on the last Wednesday of each month. The competition format is Individual Stableford (IPS) with a 95% handicap conversion. Players must play six of the nine events to qualify for the order of merit, and the best six scores will count to calculate an average. Let’s cross fingers for our participating Kingswood golfers.

The K9 for Rhino Conservation Golf Day was held on Friday 24 March (Better Ball Stableford, 85% handicap allowance). The worthy cause being furthered by this event is the workof Amazulu K9 Unit – a non-profit that consists of two handlers and two dogs in the Northern KZN region. Its main purpose is to use dogs that can track poachers by scent in rugged, thick terrain. They are specifically at risk and more vulnerable in this region due to the Black Rhino Expansion Project, where many of their rhinos are not dehorned.

The Amazulu K9 Unit runs purely on sponsors and donations that cover salaries, living costs and maintenance of the dogs, staff training, reaction work, and more. They do a lot for their region, and it was good to see the support from the Southern Cape. Says Liesel: ‘The day had a good turnout and a considerable amount of money was raised for the rhino conservation cause, which will allow the Amazulu K9 Unit to keep doing this incredible work.’

On Thursday 30 March, the Rico Wolmerans Fundraiser Golf Day (Better Ball Full Scramble, 100% handicap allowance) was supported by many golfers keen on contributing to realise the dreams of a youngster in our midst. Kingswood Junior Golf member Rico Wolmerans was invited to play in the Callaway World Championship in Palm Springs, California from 16–19 July, as well as the US Kids’ World Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina from 26–29 July.

The purpose of the golf day was to raise funds towards Rico’s travel costs to the States. Through participation at these events he will proudly represent the Louis Oosthuizen Academy 57, the Southern Cape Golf Union, Kingswood Golf Estate, and South Africa. Best of luck, Rico!

April – Ryder Cup and rolling in the cash

The local Ryder Cup golf group, comprising Kingswood homeowners, converged in April to take each other on in an epic battle on the course, representing either the Red Team or the Blue Team.
‘The Red Team won 15–13 after being 10–6 down going into singles,’ explains Liesel, adding that everybody still left a winner thanks to the beautiful weather, mouthwatering lunch, and fun that was had by all involved.

Kingswood homeowner, golf member, and Men’s Club captain Ymke Schutte had an early Father’s Day surprise on Friday 14 April. His 19-year-old daughter Minyonne picked the correct card and won the King of Clubs pot of R93,510 – what a windfall! This weekly club competition takes place every Friday at the estate’s restaurant, Kingswood Kitchen, and is only open to Kingswood residents and golf members.

May means business and Battle Royale Billed as the ultimate networking event on the Garden Route, the George Business Chamber Golf Day took place on Thursday 11 May (four-ball alliance, two scores count). This year, the Chamber’s chosen charity was Garden Route SPCA, and those who bought raffle tickets at R100 a pop not only supported this great cause, but also stood a chance to win fabulous prizes.

George Business Chamber was extremely grateful to Kingswood for hosting such a well-attended event, and thanked all players who persevered and played all 18 holes even after the weather turned from wow to wet. They thanked all sponsors for the wonderful prizes, and their loyal supporters, saying: ‘It is heart-warming to see business come  together to support our Charity Golf Day.’ Congratulations to the winning team of Supa Quick Mossel Bay, comprising Riaan van der Heyde, Dawie Smuts, Mark Roux, and Nico van der Westhuizen.

The Battle Royale, which pits the English Bulldogs against the Afrikaanse Boerboele, is a Kingswood Golf member-only event following the Better Ball Matchplay format, and is the brainchild of Kingswood Men’s Club captain, Ymke Schutte. On Saturday 20 May, the English Bulldogs took on the Afrikaanse Boerboele in an epic battle on the beautiful Kingswood golf course.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were no match for the Boerboele, and had to settle for second place. Says Ymke: ‘Well done to the Boerboele on a winning score of 9–5. Thank you to every golfer who participated in the Battle Royale – it truly was a day to remember.’

Take note

The Friday Sundowner has undergone another name and format change and is now known as the 9-Hole Sundowner Par 3 Challenge. Prizes consist of Kingswood Pro Shop vouchers, allowing winners to make purchases at the shop to the value of the amount on the voucher.

In winter, it’s a shotgun start at 3:30pm and the IPS / Full 18-Hole Handicap format applies. There’s a R40 competition fee for members (standard green fee and cart seat rates apply), while visitors pay R280 including the above and their competition fee. Anyone can play, but bookings are essential – call 086 172 7170.

Also, the KGO Friday Dinner Specials with live music must be diarised. ‘This is a great way to ease into the weekend and not worry about cooking. And the best thing is, it’s so accessible and easy for residents to attend,’ says Liesel

Upcoming events
August

Sun 13 – Sunday Mixed Competition
Sun 13 – Target 36 Tour
Mon 14 – SCGU Target 36 A-League
Thurs 17 – Kingswood Ladies’ Cup
Thurs 24 – Ladies’ Target 36
Mon 28 – SCGU Target 36 A-League
Wed 30 – PSG Wealth Outeniqua Cup
Thurs 31 – QACCS

September

Sat 2 – SCGU Handicaps League Round 7
Sun 3 – Sunday Mixed Competition
Sun 3 – Target 36 Tour
Thurs 7 – SHE Group Golf Day
Fri 8 and Sat 9 – Kingswood Kings (members-only pairs event)
Sun 10 – Nomads Golf Day
Mon 11 – SCGU Target 36 A-League
Thurs 14 – Empower Golf Day
Sun 17 – Target 36 Tour
Thurs 21 – Ladies’ Target 36
Wed 27 – PSG Wealth Outeniqua Cup

And to end off the first month of Spring in style, diarise Saturday 30 September for the relaunch of the Members’ Bring and Braai. Call KGO on 086 172 7170 to book or to get additional information