Royal Port Alfred Club’s march to victory

Proud team wrests title from Joburg rivals

ROYAL Port Alfred Golf Club (RPAGC) golfers have done the community proud after taking back the king of the Five Royals tournament trophy last weekend.

Last year’s winners, Royal Johannesburg and Kensington created a great upset at the time when they beat Royal Port Alfred in what was considered a close tournament.

This year, however, local lads beat runners-up Royal Johannesburg and Kensington by 25 points. In third place was Royal Durban, in fourth Royal Cape and cheering themselves to a “respectable” fifth and last position were the spirited and joyful players of Royal Harare.

This year the Royals celebrated its 27^th year and as per tradition hosted by Port Alfred, was much anticipated by locals and visiting golfers alike. Some of the royal contenders have been visiting Port Alfred since the first tournament in 1989 when the tournament was first dubbed The Four Royals.

Players from all five Royals arrived last Friday in cold and wet conditions for the traditional flag-raising ceremony. After breakfast golfers geared up and set off to the first round of the tournament, sponsored by Royal Durban, played at Fish River Sun where some challenging conditions and some scorecard confusion resulted in an overall fun day.

On Saturday the weather was equally miserable if not worse at times, but the course for round two, at RPAGC and sponsored by Royal Johannesburg and Kensington, provided perfect conditions for play.

Although the rain subsided by Sunday, golfers still had a challenging day of play with windy conditions at RPAGC forcing all players to put their best put forward and buckle down for the last round sponsored by Royal Cape.

In first place on Friday was Gary Barker and Don Oliphant, Saturday was Cecil Grobler and Graham Slacks and Sunday was Tom Hagg and Cecil Vlok.

RPAGC president Noel Stotter acted as prize-giving convener and expressed thanks and relayed the tournament events.

“Thanks to all who took part, and especially, to Royal Durban for bringing the weather. Also a special welcome and thanks to Royal Harare for your support and lovely camaraderie,” Stotter said.

Stotter said there are 60 “royal” clubs across the world and that the players present were fortunate and unique in the sense that they could all interact and share in the experience of golf through the means of the Five Royals Golf Tournament. “This wouldn’t be possible without your support,” he said.

Bevin Ely from Royal Cape expressed thanks to RPAGC and to club manager Corrie Van Zyl.

“Thanks for all the work you have done and thanks to each and every club captain. We need to grow this tournament again. Let’s keep supporting the royals,” he said.

Royal Johannesburg and Kensington took the attendance cup.

Results

Friday July 29: Better Ball Stableford at Fish River Sun golf club

1^st: Gary Barker, Don Oliphant – 49

2^nd: Loll Ramjith, John Narayadoo – 43

3^rd: Devon Brittle, Graham Sacks – 42

Saturday July 30: Better Ball Stableford at Royal Port Alfred golf club

1^st: Cecil Grobler, Graham Sacks – 46

2^nd: Jimmy Emslie, Terry Blake – 45

3^rd: Nick Fox, Nigel Sand – 45

Sunday July 31: Better Ball Stableford at Royal Port Alfred golf club

1^st: Tom Tagg, Cecil Vlok – 49

2^nd: Colin Howard, Nash Basdew – 45

3^rd: Ian Sawers, Edward Sherrard – 45

Winner – Royals Cup:

1^st: Royal Port Alfred – 125

2^nd: Royal Johannesburg/Kensington – 100

3^rd: Royal Durban – 50

4^th: Royal Cape – 43

5^th: Royal Harare – 15

Winner – Claret Jug: Lester Jacobs (Royal Cape golf club)

Most players of the tournament: Royal Johannesburg/Kensington golf club