Regards,
Amanda Forknall
General Manager

From the Club Manager

Atlantic Beach Golf Club has just concluded its 2009 Club Championship over the past two weekends and what a fantastic Championship we had! It started on the 18th, 19th April with Giles Buchanan getting off to a familiar and solid start with a opening one over par 73 and a level par 72 to close out a successful weekend and a great defense to his title in the A-Division. The same has to be said about André Johnstone who had a weekend to remember with a four under par nett score and have one hand on the best nett trophy.

We also had the B-Division playing and Chris Apostollo started quick out the blocks with 80 gross, but had a bigger reward later in the week with a new born baby girl - a welcome addition to the Apostollo Family, congratulations from all at Atlantic Beach Golf Club! But Andrew White and Malcolm Judd stole the show on Sunday with scores of 77 gross and Malcolm having a 65 nett - well played gentlemen.

The C-division and the seniors also opened their campaign on glory and their name on the Club’s Honor Boards. In the C-Division it was probably the most open it has been in many years with Peter Gutzer leading the way on thirty six individual stable ford points. Unfortunately he could not keep it up as there was some sterling golf played by two very competitive gentlemen in Deon Welz and Henry Van Apeldoorn who ended up joint leaders of the C-Division on seventy one points.

Due to Van Apeldoorn’s great round of forty points in the second round he won the count out and the Honor Board Event. The seniors was led by Nick Smit who took charge with thirty seven individual stable ford points, no surprise as Uncle Nick (as the Staff calls him) plays golf almost every day, practice does pay off.

Saturday 25th April, what a very wet and really miserable golfing day for the Ladies to have to start their Club Champs. But let me tell you if you were not there, that’s the most courage and determination I have seen from Club Members for many years. To play an outdoor sport in those conditions is admirable and Ladies I take my hat off to all of you, gentlemen take note as winter is on its way.

Well where do I start, Sharon Watkins opened with a 69 nett and Amy Henning played delightful golf to be the only lady to break eighty with a score of 79, in the Silver Division. The Ladies Bronze was an even affair with Sheila Hunt-Carroll and Nora Venter both shooting 98 gross and we knew this division was going to be a close affair. After lunch and dry clothes and the odd Old Brown Cherry glass, it was back out in the rain.

The golf was hotter than the weather as we saw Sharon Watkins hold on to her lead and win the overall nett in the Silver division with a score of 142. Amy Henning did the same with a closing round of 82, but was hard pushed in the afternoon by our Lady Captain Sonya Behrens with a very good score of 81 in those atrocious conditions.

The Bronze went down to the wire or should I say the dark, as Nora Venter shone through to pip Sheila and Wendy Turton on 198, but not all was lost for Sheila who ended up winning the overall nett with 143.Seniors Division was also concluded later into the night with Herbert Rorig sneaking in just by a whisker on a count out from Bill Woodford who both fought the conditions and their golf game to be victorious on a score of 69 points.

On to Sunday and another long day ahead, Giles and André started where they left off the previous weekend in perfect conditions except for a little mist in the morning to just keep everyone honest. There was only going to be one winner and that was Giles Buchanan, who played flawless the entire Championship and just to show what a champion, closed the job with a 69 in the afternoon. A mention must also go to Raymond Dodgen who had the best nett score of the day with a 66.

The B-Division was a closer affair but Andrew White hung on gamely in the afternoon to win his first Club Championship and I am sure by the look of all the good golf played in this division we could have a good Harry Solomon Team this year.

From me thank you to all Members that played in the spirit that golf should be played, and be proud to be an Atlantic Beach Golf Club Member.

Yours in Golf
Tony Louw
Golf Director/ Club Manager

Click here to view complete Club Championship Results.

Please note our Venue Hire rates at the Leisure Centre are as follows:

- Venue hire - outside R350 ( no linen, tables ,chairs, cutlery and crockery ).
- Venue hire - Blue Mountain Room R500 ( inclusive tables, chairs, linen, cutlery and crockery).
- Venue hire - Blue Mountain Room Evening function R1000 (inclusive tables, chairs, linen, cutlery and
  crockery).

Members need to provide their Atlantic Beach Golf Club membership cards to enter the Leisure Centre at
all times, Guests are welcome at an entrance fee of R15 per person.

We are thinking of having a morning market once a month, should you be interested to participate, please contact us on (021) 553 2223 or dalene@atlanticbeach.co.za.