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There’s a long list of achievements that Kingswood Golf Estate can be particularly proud of when looking back at the year that was.
Among these count repairs from extensive flood damage, a vast garden revamp, extensive maintenance projects, and making headway with the design and approval of the Clubhouse Project.
Some of these ventures are featured elsewhere in this newsletter, whereas the progress made at Kingswood Phase 4 during the past year deserves a stand-alone report early in 2024. So in this edition, we’re shifting our focus from special projects to some of Kingswood’s special people.
First up is an account by Ladies Golf captain Michelle Witts-Hewinson, who mentions some of the events that contributed to their superb golfing year. Think fun competitions and successful fundraisers and just generally spreading awareness of Kingswood’s fabulous ladies’ section.
‘And a bonus add-on when reviewing 2023,’ said CEO Willem Jacobs during a BUZZard information meeting, ‘would be including the sons of two resident families, both of whom scored really big this year.’
So read on for ladies’ golf news, an introduction to young Springbok indoors cricketer Hanno Swart, and a reminder that ace amateur golfer Christo Lamprecht is truly a son of Kingswood.
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Ladies’ golf at Kingswood Golf Estate
Ladies’ golf at Kingswood Golf Estate has been formally running for about four years. Our member ladies join others on Thursday mornings, and each week different formats allow new golfers, and those who are more experienced, to mingle and enjoy our course and a fair share of camaraderie.
Our Sunday Mixed Competitions took off in earnest in early March. During the year, we managed one every month except in July, when the weather in George forced us to cancel.
Much fun was had by all, with teams enjoying proper golf formats planned for the year ahead. Our last one, the Christmas Mixed, was a secret flag competition where good golf was rewarded – and the secrets kept everyone trying their best to perform on the day.
Eighty-six women played in our Kingswood Ladies@ Home Golf Day on 16 November (we had to cancel our June date), and this time the weather played its part to ensure that everyone had a wonderful day. Beach hats were on parade as per our theme, and the Ladies committee decorated the facilities with fun and elegant home-sourced décor.
A big thank you is due to numerous sponsors for helping us to raise money for Phambili Shelter for Abused Women and Children in George. Local confectioners Prince of Tarts donated a wonderful dessert to complement a healthy meal, enjoyed once all the ladies had come in off the course.
Many women-run local businesses stepped in to sponsor products and prizes, and this was greatly appreciated by all. Between raffle tickets, competition fees, our auctions and several generous contributions, we raised a substantial amount for Phambili Shelter.
Kingswood golf course is a different challenge and a welcome change from other courses in the vicinity. As we look forward to the building of our new clubhouse facility, there is much anticipation for new and exciting developments for the homeowners to enjoy and be proud of in the near future. – Michelle Witts-Hewinson
Hanno Swart is on a roll – watch this space …
Residents who live in the Oval would have seen Hanno Swart practising his fielding here over the past few years. Hard work and dedication have enabled the Kingswood teenager to excel to a point of attaining his Junior Springbok colours in indoor cricket.
Explains proud dad, Cor Swart: ‘Hanno was the captain of the 13-and-under South African indoor cricket team that won the silver medal at the Indoor Cricket World Cup held in Dubai in October.
‘Seven nations participated in the World Cup. The South African team beat Australia in the group stages, and we beat England and New Zealand in the play-offs. But unfortunately we lost a very competitive final.’
What makes Hanno’s achievement even more remarkable is that the indoor cricket arena in George
closed in 2019. He thus only plays indoor cricket in the March school holidays, when he represents Boland.
Hanno also enjoys outdoor cricket. He captained the SWD under-15 invitational team at the Badger Festival in Oudtshoorn in last December, when his team won three of their games, including the final of the tournament.
Hanno attends Hoërskool Outeniqua and celebrates his 14th birthday on 10 December – congratulations, young star! Everyone at Kingswood wishes him all the best for a bright sporting future. And when he shoots the lights out at in/outdoor cricket tournaments in years to come, just remember: you heard it here first.
Christo cut his golfing teeth on Kingswood course
In a recent newsletter, Kingswood Golf Ops sang the praises of a 22-year-old South African golfer whose name has been on the lips of many an aficionado of the game during the past year.
‘Christo Lamprecht, from our beautiful town of George, has made history. In a groundbreaking milestone move, he has secured the prestigious title of Number 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
‘But here’s where it gets truly special for us at Kingswood Golf Estate: Christo’s rise to golfing stardom began right here on our very own fairways. As a young talent, he honed his skills amid the serene and challenging landscapes of our course. We take immense pride in being part of his incredible journey!’
That said, it’s worth revisiting what the year 2023 meant for the future career of this young South African golfer, after his rise to the Number 1 spot of the World Amateur Rankings in September: Winning the Amateur Championship – the third South African to do so in six years – gave Christo exemptions to the 2023 Open Championship, 2024 Masters Tournament, and 2024 US Open.
So there’s a lot for his family, friends and fans to look forward to, and for those lucky few who have witnessed Christo honing his skills on the Kingswood course over the years; you will once more be able see him performing alongside the world’s best players on the planet’s top courses.
Here’s hoping this spotlight on our glorious golfing ladies and high-performing young stars will enable all Kingswood residents to share in some of the bragging rights attained by Kingswood during 2023.
