EASTERN PROVINCE WOMEN’S GOLF
TO LADY PRESIDENTS, LADY CAPTAINS AND ALL LADY GOLFERS
Here we are already in July – I cannot believe how quickly the year has gone, it seems only
yesterday we were taking down the Christmas decorations! Here is an update of what has been
happening since my last report:
1.
AGM
Thank you to all the clubs who attended – I know it is a long way for some of you to travel and for
those who were unable to attend, I do hope you all read the Minutes.
At the AGM we were very sad to say goodbye to Marlene Kruse who resigned from the committee,
but were delighted to welcome on board Melissa Palmer, Sandra Pienaar and Louise Pitout.
Once again we had to vote on our name change following WGSA’s refusal to allow us to use the
word “Ladies”! So at the AGM our name change to EASTERN PROVINCE WOMEN’S GOLF
was unanimously agreed. I then took it to the WGSA AGM for ratification, and I am pleased to
say it was ratified! So we are now EPWG for short, and we will slowly be changing our badges,
flag, documents etc. Our web site name has already been changed, but if you type in ECWGA by
mistake, you will still be taken to the web page.
2.
CLUB COMMITTEE MEMBERS
I think we are all up-to-date with the contact details, but please remember when you have a change
let us know.
3.
ECWGA CHAMPIONSHIPS
2013 kicked off with our Champs held this year at Humewood Golf Club. As you know, Sunday
was our Fundraising day which was totally spoiled by a terrific thunderstorm. Luckily we
managed to get everyone in off the course before they were soaked, but the river running down the
18th fairway at Humewood was a sight to behold. But thank you to all who attended - in total we
made just over R11, 000 which was fantastic.
Nedbank were our sponsors once again – for which we are enormously grateful. Every year we
approach them in trepidation, but so far they have come up trumps. Nobuhle Dlamini from
Centurion Country Club achieved the double for the second time. She won the Championship
Stroke Play by two shots from Carrie Park, and then went on to win the Match Play by beating Ji
Sung Kang 6/5.
We also had two more double winners. Justine Botten (PEGC) won the “B” Division Stroke Play
with a score of 164, a full 17 shots better than second place Sandra Pienaar. She then went on to
beat Ronel van Eyk in the Match Play on the 18th hole finishing 1 up. Cathy Bezuidenhout from
Humewood won the “C” division Stroke Play beating Louise Pitout by two shots, and then went on
to beat Louise again in the Match Play 2/1. Thank you to all the supporters who came out to watch
the finals – we were treated to some fantastic golf. Next year we return to PEGC and it would be
wonderful to see even more spectators supporting our EP Girls!
4.
SANLAM SA WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Pretoria Golf Club was the venue for this year’s event which was won once again by Nobuhle
Dlamini. This is a very tough competition with girls coming from all over Africa to compete, and
spectators really do see some fantastic golf.
Five EP squad girls went and were hosted by local families. We are extremely grateful to members
from the host union taking care of our girls when they travel – this not only reduces their costs but
their parents know they are safe, fed and watered!
5.
NOMADS SA GIRLS’ ROSE BOWL (18 and Under)
With the event being held this year at Selborne Country Club in KZN, I agreed to drive 7 of our
girls to KZN and back, to reduce the cost to their parents. Am not sure we will do that again! In
horrendous fog and rain we drove from PE to Kokstad where we overnighted on a farm, a journey
that took 11 hours! The return journey wasn’t so bad – only 9 hours! The event was won by 12
year old Catherine Lau from Woodhill Country Club – an amazing achievement. Our girls all
played really well but unfortunately none were in the prizes.
6.
WGSA 72 HOLE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
I travelled to Maccauvlei on Vaal with the EP team: Imkeleen Meyer (Captain), Tara Griebenow
and Minette Olivier. This was Minette’s first event representing her Union, and she was presented
with her colours over dinner on the first night. The weather was superb and after the first round we
were lying third in our division. But we couldn’t keep up the momentum and ended up tied in 6th
place with 5 other teams, all on 666. The competition was extremely fierce and if you weren’t on
the fairway, you were severely penalised. The girls stayed in the Maccauvlei Conference Centre
which was right next door to the golf course, so we didn’t need daily transport. We shared transport
to and from the airport with Border and Southern Cape – reducing our costs has always been a
prime concern.
7.
NOMADS SA GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP (18 and Under)
This year Louise Pitout went to Orkney as chaperone with 8 girls: Justine Botten, Kim and JamieLee Daniels, Tara Griebenow, Minette Olivier, Imkeleen Meyer and two little girls from our
Development Group, Rachel Barber and Megan Roos.
Jamie-Lee played superb golf and won the Championship Nett prize, and the team of Jamie-Lee and
Tara Griebenow won the 36 hole Team Nett Prize. Well done EP! Again this competition is
extremely fierce, you have no idea how many seriously good golfers there are in our country under
18 years of age. The number grows each year to the point where in the WGSA Order of Merit, out
of the top 10 girls 5 are juniors.
8.
WEB SITE
Melissa Palmer has taken over the responsibility for the web site, and Myrlene and I will pass on
any information you send us regarding tournaments, results, open days etc. We really would like it
to be the main source of information as to what is happening in our province, so we will do our best
and please – keep sending us information.
9.
IPT – PEGC – SPONSORED BY PICK ‘N PAY
This prestigious event will be on our doorstep this year and I urge you all to make a point of coming
during the week of September 22 – 27 to watch some fantastic golf. The format is: Tuesday
Foursomes and Singles Stroke Play, followed by Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Foursomes and
Singles Match Play. We are the Host Union and it would be wonderful to see some spectators,
especially on the last day, Friday 27th. Please mark it in your diary and come and support the EP
Team.
Our annual EP and Border Championships will be played at Royal Port Alfred Golf Course on
24/25 August. The EP and Border Nomads have once again come up trumps and are sponsoring us
for which we are extremely grateful. Please come to Port Alfred for this really fun event – EP are
the hosts this year and we would really like to see the field full. Golf carts are being allowed in the
B & C divisions, and your husbands/friends/parents/brothers or sisters may caddy for you. The
entry form has been sent out so check your notice boards and sign up!
I hope you are all entering the Sanlam Cancer Challenge – I know some of the clubs have already
played their competition. The amount raised through golf for Cancer is staggering, and with the
government cutting its’ funding towards research, it is even more important that we, the public,
support this event. The overall winners of the 3 divisions get to travel to Sun City on an all
expenses paid trip, with a game of golf on both courses and great entertainment. The regional final
will be held at Uitenhage Golf Club on 18 August.
Finally I would like to thank you all for your support and enthusiasm. Please support Open Days at
the various clubs – a lot of hard work goes into the preparation and running of these events and
many clubs rely on the income they raise. A special thank you to all the Lady Captains and their
Committees, without all your hard work we, the members, would not be able to play and enjoy this
beautiful game.
Enjoy the rest of the year!!!
SALLY GREASLEY & THE EPWG EXECUTIVE
72-HOLES EP TEAM: IMKELEEN MEYER (CAPTAIN), MINETTE OLIVIER AND
TARA GRIEBENOW