Latest updates on the new HCP system from Handicaps Network Africa
The new HCP system is now up and running and most of the HCP issues have been resolved. Please see links below for three of the latest communications from Handicaps Network Africa:
New SAGA Affiliation/Handicap Card Rollout
Update on Handicap Terminal Improvements
Update on Faulty Handicap Cards
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One down, one to go for the Premier League title
Murray Leyden’s League Golf Update
Durban Country Club 71⁄2 Kloof Country Club 41⁄2. Now for Southern Natal at Margate at the end of the month. Just one more win and we’ll be there - a successful defence of the KZN Premier League title and champions again for 2010. Sounds quite simple, really, doesn’t it? After all, 71⁄2-41⁄2 is pretty clear-cut in anyone’s language. Not so fast. Let’s not kid ourselves. This away victory against Kloof was anything but clear-cut, with six of the eight singles going all the way to the 18th green and the others ending just a hole earlier. The result was on a knife-edge throughout an extremely tense afternoon. Yet it all began with some home hole heroics in the morning’s foursomes, where Lyall McNeill and Michael Hollick holed crucial pressure putts to halve their games (with partners Ryan Birnie and Elton James respectively) and enable us to scrape through to lunch with honours even at 2-2 after Sean Fenger and Clive Lazarus had earlier earned the first point. In a heartbeat, it could so easily have been 1-3 and our backs squarely against the wall. But never count out this team. When it comes to producing under the gun, when it’s time to stand up and be counted and second just will not do, Murray Gilson’s Premier League team certainly has what it takes. Just look at those eight singles.
First out, young Ryan Birnie fought all the way before going down by one hole, while Clive Lazarus showed just why he is such a respected opponent, calmly squaring things up again with his 2/1 win. Murray Gilson played superb golf all afternoon, holding on to win by a single hole against a game opponent. 4-3. Sean Fenger was as determined as ever, but lost at the 17th green. 4-4. Still very much anybody’s game. Absolutely nail-biting stuff. There was nothing at all in any of the other matches, although Keith Forde was surely dead and buried, when five down at the turn. Like I said, not so fast. There’s too much pride here and Keith worked some back nine magic of his own, bravely taking the last two holes to halve his match when knowing full well it could decide the outcome of the league match. News of that fantastic turnaround and crucial half point seemed to make all the difference as those who followed all got their noses in front over the final holes, Lyall McNeill, Elton James and Michael Hollick all recording excellent one hole wins. Phew! My nerves! Durban Country Club 71⁄2 Kloof Country Club 41⁄2. Clear-cut? Forget it. Impressive? You bet. One down. One more to go.
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Three down, one to go!
Murray Leyden’s League Golf Update
Three down, one to go! That’s where we find ourselves as we enter the final furlong of the race to the Premier League title where fortunately we have the inside track and an excellent run-in towards the finish. Right now, with two tough away matches remaining, we are sitting pretty at the top of the table and two wins will see us through to the Premier League title for the third time in four years. But there is much to be done and we are certainly not getting ahead of ourselves as we focus primarily on the next league match, which is against Southern Natal at Margate on Sunday 29 August.
Three down? Yes, congratulations to Dave Phillips and his unbeaten Durban Country Club A team on winning the Central League’s A Division and setting up a promotion-relegation match for a spot in next year’s Premier League. It would certainly be a feather in the club’s cap were we to be the first club ever to have two teams in the Premier League, especially if we are also the reigning champions! Our A side travelled to Vryheid last Sunday and effectively had things won when taking a 3½-1½ lead into the afternoon singles against Midlands A, eventually taking the match 7½-4½. Excellent singles wins by Chris Appel, Keith Forde, Mark Baptie and Laghlan Gourlay put the result beyond doubt and secured 2010 league title number one.
We need look no further than the Allerton League for titles two and three. John Terry-Lloyd’s A team proving too good for Victoria Country Club, brushing aside their challenge 8½-3½ with an excellent team performance at Maidstone, thereby taking league honours with a match still to be played. Not to be outdone, Lloyd Letard’s side won the Allerton B Division when defeating their closest challengers Central Durban 8-4 at Beachwood. That’s a pretty emphatic victory where we knew the winners would win the league. What a fantastic turnaround for the club in the Allerton League this year and, aside from the enormous contribution from both skippers throughout the season (in fact, it all began last year really when we set about rejuvenating our participation in Allerton golf and won promotion to the A Division), our success this year is in no small measure attributable to the dedicated, thoroughly committed support from all our Allerton golfers. Congratulations one and all. You can all feel justifiably proud of your achievement this year.
Kurt Stander’s C team, a deliberate mix of youth and experience, were an absolute revelation in the lofty heights of the Central League’s A Division. Returning from premature retirement, Kurt, ably supported by Glen Passmore, set about nurturing some of our very best junior and young golfing talent as they gained invaluable experience in the cut and thrust of men’s competitive matchplay golf. Juniors William Bruce and Clayton Mansfield were a revelation, coming on in leaps and bounds and showing maturity beyond their years, while Ryan Passmore and James Moody are not far behind. We are expecting great things from this exciting young quartet in the years ahead. Kurt’s team ended their season on a high by putting one over their more fancied opponents, winning 6½-5½ against Mark Cousens’ B side in a home derby at Beachwood and ending in fourth place on the log. As the scoreline suggests, the match was a close-fought affair, the result in the balance throughout the day, so full credit to Will Bruce for fighting all the way to halve his singles, to Clayton Mansfield on a crucial singles win and to Ryan Passmore on handing his opponent a 7/5 drubbing.
Garth Davis’ D team travelled down the coast to Umkomaas and trounced neighbours Royal Durban B 10½-1½ to secure second place in the Central League’s C Division after an outstanding league season. We dropped just half a point in the singles, where impressive wins by Rob Edwards (9/8), Mike Cullen (8/6) and Paul Cruickshank (6/5) enabled them to take an early afternoon shower! Well done, Garth and your team. Nick Keary’s difficult debut season reached an all time low when an inability to field a full team meant he had to forfeit the match and full points to our opponents Bluff National. It was not for the lack of trying either as I know Nick was at his wits’ end trying to put a team together as late as Saturday afternoon, brought about by several late withdrawals and general player unavailability. The Durban July horseracing did not help, but I must say I personally found it rather disappointing that we were unable to find anyone, albeit at short notice, willing to come forward and support their club in its hour of need. Forfeiting league matches and Durban Country Club are definitely not coupled on the tote. I sincerely hope it never happens again.
On a happier note, our Premier team plays Kloof Country Club away on Sunday 3 October in a match that may well decide the Premier League champions. Why not make a note of this date and come out and support our club’s top team as we aim for four in 2010. I wouldn’t miss it for anything!
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