End of 7-year trophy drought

The Royal Port Alfred Gold Club hosted more than 55 golfers at the 5 Royals Golf Tournament this past weekend. The 39th edition, won by the host club after a seven-year drought, provided exciting golf in the three days following the official opening on Friday. The event has become an institution over the past 39 years because of the camaraderie between golfers from Royal Cape, Royal Johannesburg, Royal Durban and Royal Port Alfred golf clubs. Royal Harare did not make it to the event this year. But after the awards ceremony on Sunday brought the curtain down on the tournament, it was clear that everyone had a great time.

The Royal Port Alfred Golf Club team broke a seven-year drought by winning the Five Royals Golf Tournament on their home course last weekend.

The tournament has been running for 39 years and brings together five Royal Golf Clubs from across the country. It is as much about bonding as it is about camaraderie and bragging rights.

This year, however, only four Royal Clubs were present: Royal Johannesburg & Kensington, Royal Cape, Royal Durban and Royal Port Alfred. The fifth participant, Royal Harare, could not participate this year.

Last Friday the Royal club captains took part in the traditional flag ceremony, with piper Chris Terry playing in the background before the tournament got underway after breakfast.

Royal Port Alfred collected 112.49 points over the three days of the Better Ball Stableford competition which ended on Sunday. They were followed by Royal Cape in second place with 111.42 points, Royal Durban in third place with 111.08 points and Royal Johannesburg & Kensington in fourth place with 110.25.

Winner of the Claret Jug was Terry Counihan of Port Alfred, while Royal Cape Town & Durban shared the award for the club with the most representatives (16).

Among the prize winners on Sunday was another PA member, Ant de Bruin, who took 1st place together with Steven de Klerk (Cape)^st position with 45 points.

Royal PA Golf Club captain Juan Pretorius was in his element with the victory he had secured at PA Royal Durban. He said the tournament was about friendships and bonds that were formed between visiting golfers.

“For us it is of course nice to win, but that is not our goal for this tournament. Our goal is to create “spirit” within the other Royals and make sure everyone has a good time.”

Pretorius says the win further boosts the club’s image now that they have claimed the spoils.

“It definitely creates a bit of camaraderie within our club and amongst our members. It’s not necessarily a must-see event as only Royal Clubs can come along … but it’s great to mix with other Royal members. You come away with so many new friends and there are open invitations to come to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg to play golf … which is great.”

The mixed team format again proved to be a popular innovation, as each club played with other members of other Royal teams on each of the three days.

“We mix all the members from Port Alfred with other members from the clubs… and it helps the other Royal Clubs to share the home advantage… they (local golfers) can show them the lines of the greens and where not to hit the ball.

“When we (Royal PA) started on Friday we were bottom of the table and on Saturday we upped our game and came second… and on Sunday we kept it going.”

Pretorius explains why the Royal PA Golf Course is so popular with locals and visitors.

“Our course is quite unique, there are a number of stags living there. You have fantastic views. It is a links course and it is special in the sense that the greens are not receptive and you have to play bump-and-run shots. You have to adapt your game.

“We pride ourselves (on the maintenance of the course) and I have to give credit to the greenkeepers; they have done a fantastic job keeping our course in such great condition. Our club is very unique because we have a special spirit at our venue… we have a beer together and chat and tell stories afterwards, and you don’t always find that at other golf clubs… and that’s what keeps us together.”

Gator Reddy, Royal Durban’s stand-in captain and club chairman, said he has been attending the tournament for 15 years and the great atmosphere at the tournament keeps bringing him back.

“A lot of people save money to go on holiday here, so this place must be attractive. When you come here, you get the feeling of a holiday resort and the atmosphere almost forces you to enjoy yourself in a relaxed way.

“The competition in this tournament is still very competitive. There are loads of bragging rights to be had, but we didn’t just come here to have a relaxing weekend, we came here to desperately defend our title and take the cup home.

“Of course we are disappointed to have to give up the title, but unfortunately that is the sport… we can’t win everything.”

Reddy said they were disappointed not to retain their title, but congratulated the hosts, Royal Port Alfred, and said they were the deserved winners this year.

“The rate they offer to over 55 golfers who come from all over the country and the way they do it … is such that you know there is a tremendous amount of work going on in the background and their hospitality has always been sublime … and this year was no different,” Reddy added.

• This article was first published in Talk of the Town on 25 July 2024. The newspaper, which serves the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly roundup of Makhanda news, is available in stores from Thursday morning.

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