A unique golf tournament – The Ryder Cup – which pits two groups of avid women golfers against each other, has seen a younger beginners cohort come up trumps at the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club.
All indications are that the fourball betterBall stableford format that hits off every April between a group of over-65s and under- 65s at the RPAGC – and now in its fifth year – is growing in popularity. To qualify these group of golfers have to be members of the club and they must have handicaps.
Former RPAGC manager and ex president of Women’s Golf SA, Sally Greasly, who coordinates the tournament, says this year’s edition was throroughly entertaining and enjoyed by the group of 48 golfers.
“We have a group of beginners we call “bunnies” – and don’t ask me why we call them that – we started them off two years ago,” said Greasly. “For a fee they are allowed to participate in group coaching lessons and can play on the course during the week as long as they don’t interfere with play.
“Our beginners’ programme has been successful and as a result of that, we have found our under-65s group has grown to such an extent, that we had 48 golfers playing The Ryder Cup this year.”
The tournament in which two over-65s players are paired with two under-65s in the fourball betterball format, saw the younger group beating their more experienced opponents after scores were tallied. The women golfers added a splash of delightful colour to the Ryder Cup with the younger group kitted out in pink and the older in green.
“The under-65s won the tournament to great applause,” said Greasly. This initiative is a by-product of proving to ourselves and to all our members that working to develop talent pays off because we have ended being the strongest ladies section of all Eastern Cape golf clubs and have introduced new members to the game of golf.
“ Also younger people are moving in to Port Alfred. And for those wives who may not be working they can play golf while their children are at school. The game builds up a great camaraderie among the under-65s and over-65s being involved in a sport and enjoying themselves in the fresh air.
“After four years of the tournament, the two groups were ‘even stevens’ in terms of victories but in this year’s tournament the under-65s have actually overtaken the over-65s and are leading when you look at the total number of tournaments played.”
Greasly says though the two groups enjoy themselves the competition is “very competitive”.
“Especially our younger group’s captain is very determined so it’s quite competitive out there … the older group are more experienced and have been members a lot longer; so competition is keen and we look forward to it every year. This year’s tournament was great fun.”
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This article was first published in Talk of the Town, May 8, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays.
