Golf In Paradise

Mauritius, a golfing destination throwback…

**Dinarobin Beachcomber Hotel, Mauritius**

The opportunity to visit Mauritius came about in 2017 through Mauritius Tourism South Africa and The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open 2017. When I got that call to be a part of the #RatherBeInMauritius hash tag which included playing golf, sightseeing and a VIP invitation to what has without a doubt become my favourite Tri-Sanctioned tournament by the DP Tour, Asian Tour and Sunshine Tour. I did not need any convincing. This beautiful Island was always on my bucket list of places to visit way before I started playing golf over a decade ago. Back then, like everyone else I really just wanted to go there for its beautiful pristine beaches with crystal clear waters, sights and sounds. Never in a million years did I ever think it would be the ultimate golfing destination and that golf would end up being the main reason for my visit.

And so, with an impressive itinerary in hand, it was destination Mauritius, Le Morne, Dinarobin Beachcomber Hotel my first host for the days I was going to be there. We had arrived at night and the drive to the hotel was on a dark and winding narrow two-lane road. I was glad I was not driving at that moment because my driver seemed to know exactly how to navigate his way.

The Dinarobin Beachcomber Hotel entrance, lobby and effortlessly efficient check-in was all indication that I was now in paradise. I was whisked off in a golf cart to my beach front facing room with it’s own private patio. Dropping my bags inside my gorgeous room, I went outside and sat out there in the dark, listening to the ocean and breathing in the humid island air…Yes, I was definitely in paradise. I did not get much sleep that night, my excitement got the better of me. I woke up at 5:40am to the sound of the ocean and the most beautiful sight I had ever seen in my life just outside my room was the bluest blue ocean just waiting…inviting. So, I decided to put my costume on and go in for a swim and boy was surprised by how warm the water was. What a perfect way to start the day.

First on the agenda was Tamarina Golf Course, an 18-hole golf course situated on the sunny west coast of Mauritius. A lovely lunch of local cuisine on the deck of the wooden floored clubhouse was possibly a sign of what was to follow.

What was meant to be 9 holes turned out to be 18, this place is a beauty. Somehow, I felt like I was playing in a forest, with challenging tee boxes and immaculate fairways which I would suggest you try keeping to because trying to find your ball if it goes out of bounds would be a difficult task. Tamarina is carved between mountain and sea, a beautifully conditioned and enjoyable course with breathtaking views of the mountains. Set on an old sugar plantation, you are also not alone when you are out there because the abundance of monkeys makes for some entertainment. I often wonder if they are out there making bets on our game, which would make us the entertainment. This is one of those courses that leaves you with a good feeling even if you haven’t played a solid game.

The following day I went for an early morning swim in the Indian ocean, paired with a lovely breakfast at Dinarobin could have been the highlight of the day before heading out to the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Heritage Golf and Spa Resort. What can I say, Heritage was everything I had hoped it would be. Designed by Peter Matkovich this 18-hole tropical golf course is a gem. Unfortunately, I would not get to play it this time around, but I was still happy and privileged to get to walk it for the next couple of days and see it from a spectator’s point of view. Hopefully that would give me a slight edge for when I came back to play it. As I walked around following my favourite golfers I was thinking “seriously, it cannot get any better than this?”

Day four and I was thinking I could definitely live here. 6:30am and I was ready to make my way next door to the Paradis Golf Club, for a 7:00am tee time. I had been waiting to play this course since I arrived. The Paradis Golf Course really makes you feel like you are on an island with its palm trees and stone pines. Nestled between mountains and Morne Peninsula lagoon, its views are insanely spectacular, paradise kind of spectacular. Even with its narrow fairways, it is not a difficult course at all, which is great for us amateurs looking for a decent game and if the tide is really low, you could be hitting balls off the edge of the ocean. Playing the back nine was like playing on a movie set, with the flawless views from every tee box, every angle and every green. It’s a relaxing 18 holes because there is really no way anyone can get mad while playing with those views and backdrop.

The drive to Avalon is a beautiful sight seeing adventure. I stopped to see the Waterfalls and the Seven Coloured Earth in Chamarel, drove further up into the mountains and the higher we went my ears started to pop. Up into the heart of a natural reserve where we find a beautiful Avalon, mounted at the top, surrounded by a tea plantation. It was somewhat cooler up there which I appreciated after spending a few days in the heat and humidity of the southern part of the island.

Avalon Golf Course is a Peter Matkovich 18-hole Championship course. It is one of those courses where you are constantly in awe of your surroundings because the views are spectacularly breath-taking from the first tee. There was rain looming in the far mountains and I couldn’t be bothered, I was determined to play through this one and at some point, I did play in some mist or what seemed like a moving cloud with a slight drizzle that soon passed and floated off into the mountains. It was all so magical. The fairways are wide and forgiving and make for some good golf, great for amateurs. Carts are a must because of the long distances between tee boxes and no carts are allowed on any part of the course except the path. It felt and looked like an immaculately manicured mountain forest. I did play a decent round of golf finally, managing to hit my driver long and straight most times, a rare occasion for me. I finished with a par on the 18th. What better way to make one want to go back?

At the AfrAsia I managed to sit down and have a brief chat with Peter Matkovich who insisted I make my way up to Northern part of the island to his latest addition (which according to him, is an absolute beaut.) the increasingly popular Mont Choisy Le Golf.

Unfortunately, I ran out of time and did not get to visit the shiny new Mont Choisy but it went straight to the top of the bucket list.

Fast forward a year later….

I was ready to make another trip back to the golfing paradise. The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open 2018 was back and the Mauritius Tourism South Africa gang and I were ready for another golfing adventure. This time the host for the tournament was the much-anticipated Anahita Four Seasons Golf and Spa Resort.

No longer a Mauritius rookie, I came prepared. I arrived on the late flight again and the drive to the Eastern part of the island took an hour and as my driver is navigating the narrow roads I could not help but feel a sense of familiarity and a welcome feeling. This time my host was the exquisite Long Beach Sun Resort and by this time I was accustomed to the islands world class hospitality. Arriving at Long Beach I realised that the standards might just have been upped a notch since the previous year. My room was about 50 metres to the ocean and was stunning, modern and immaculate.

A lovely fruit and chocolate basket awaited me inside but my exhaustion kicked in very fast and it did not take me long to fall asleep with the sound of the waves outside my door. Tomorrow was a big day; I was playing in the AfrAsia ProAm. A dream come true, an ultimate Bucket list check and flag collecting moment.

Designed by Ernie Els, Anahita Four Seasons Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course situated on the East coast of Mauritius. With its beautiful natural flora and fauna, the course is set on a tropical paradise and the coastline’s natural beauty shows off views of the mountains, lagoon and Indian ocean. Anahita was far more than a treat, the insanely gorgeous views were all around. Its beauty will deceive you into thinking you will play a beautiful game yourself, with fairways so prestine I was not sure if I was allowed to make divots. I believe my second experience will be far more successful, it deserves a return and the respect of a decent game. It was an unbelievable honour to get to watch Ernie play on his own turf. This course is not one you want to miss out on when visiting Mauritius for a golfing holiday.

Just a 10-minute boat ride from Anahita is an island, not just any island…. this is Ile Aux Cerfs.

Designed by the legendary Bernhard Langer, the course is on the southern half of the Ile aux Cerfs Island with the holes winding beautifully through the length of the island, with undulating fairways and ocean few greens. Almost all 18 holes of this island golf course have views of the ocean and water is an essential feature of the course, not just the ocean as a backdrop but the lakes in and around the course make for some interesting tee shots. Add in a dose of some luxuriously white sand bunkers and you’ll soon come to realise that Ile Aux Cerfs was not just a pretty face. The winding cart path will take you through some gorgeous vegetation that will make you feel like you are in a tropical forest island, which actually you are. At some point everything looked like a postcard.

The cuisine of Mauritius is influenced by the tropical location of the island as well as the cultural diversity which characterizes the country. Mauritian cuisine is a blend of African, Chinese, European and Indian influences in the history of Mauritius.

The fairways are narrow, and the holes are short but really enjoyable to play as long as you keep your ball on the fairway. I would suggest sticking to your irons most times and maybe a 3 wood for those that can actually play that club. I did lose about 4 balls so be warned. I would be happy to lose more balls again. Of Mauritius’ 12 golf courses, I’ve taken on five… seven to go. Unfortunately, the pandemic put a pause on this Flag Collecting adventure for over two years. I am definitely one of those people relieved and excited that golf if fully back on track. The goal still remains to collect as many flags around the world as humanly possible.

Catch you on the fairways.

Felicity Shiba for Travel Ideas Magazine.

Mauritius Sights and Sounds…

Of course it was not all golf. I managed to explore other parts of Mauritius. Made my way to the colorful markets. Filled with an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables and souvenirs. I meandered my way through Flaq market eating what I could find. Anyone that follows any of my travel blogs will know I eat my way through every country I visit. Making sure to try out as many local cuisines. Mauritius with its rich culture and equally diverse cuisine was no exception. Mauritius’ cuisine is influenced by the tropical location of the island as well as the cultural diversity. A blend of African, Chinese, European and Indian influences, finding something to eat was easy.

Bucket Listing, Flag Collecting.

An American Summer throwback.

Some people have a country bucket list but my bucket list consists of golf courses, and the aim is to play a golf course in ANY and EVERY country I visit, also known to me as Flag Collecting. One of the courses that had been on the list for over ten years, is Inverness Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama.

Birmingham has some of the most beautiful courses I’ve seen and the 26 Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses stretch the entire length of the state… another thing on the bucket list. Inverness and I have a small history, so it was fitting that I start my Bama golf journey with it.
In my very short stay in Birmingham over ten years ago, I never got to play any golf at all because it was expensive, the clubs near me were mostly private, I was pregnant half the time while also juggling a very sporty, busy 15 year old daughter, 4 year old son who played soccer, basketball, baseball (Tball) and had a better social life than I did. Not forgetting that this was America, the country where people pour their own petrol, clean their own houses, mow their own lawns, watch their own kids…I just become one of them and golf was no longer in the books for me.

As soon as we arrived in Alabama, I found out we were expecting and I knew there would be no golf any time in the near future and that’s when my 5 year hiatus from golf began. I had just left Zimbabwe where I had played two solid years at least three or four times a week. I was the runner up for Mashonalands most improved golfer, missing the title by 1. I played league for my club, Borrowdale Brook Country Club and my handicap was a solid 14. Needless to say, this was not a voluntary hiatus. Right before we left America to come back home we stayed at a place by a lake that separated Inverness Country Club and me plus of course the fact that the club was private. Looking across the Lake one could see some parts of this stunning and perfectly manicured golf course. To my surprise, I had not really thought too much about playing while I lived there and I think it’s because I had a wonderful time spending time with family, friends and getting to know the new little guy in our lives. Staying across from that golf course for a couple of weeks made me realize how much I missed playing, missed home and missed the accessibility of our courses. When we finally left, my heart was sad that I never got to play Inverness and I resigned myself to the fact that I would never play there.

Fast forward nine and a half years later to my summer trip back to Bama to see family and friends. The stars were aligned, the Universe had agreed and the elements were all there….It was summer, and I did come slightly prepared to play some golf (though without my clubs) I was prepared to rent a set. Something I vowed not to do ever again if I can help it. The first bag packed for a trip anywhere is the golf bag. Inverness was not on the list of my maybe courses to play on that trip. I was more than happy to explore the other golf courses, but my dearest friends, Jeff and Melanie Jeffcoat, had hatched a plan to introduce me to Jeff’s mom, Ann, who is an avid golfer, with the hopes that she would invite me to a game. Jeff and Melanie were nervous that Ann and I might not get along. Little did they know that when you put two women who are passionate about golf in one room, regardless of their ages and backgrounds, they are bound to get along. Ann and I hit it off right off the bat. It turns out, one of her favourite golfers is Ernie Els. She just happened to be a member at Inverness Country Club. Dinner was fantastic, Ann and I had wine and watched golf while I cooked my kids favourite meal and now also the Jeffcoats….pap, peanut butter spinach and curried mince with the Robertsons spices I brought for Melanie. Everyone loved the dinner, the kids made s’mores and we all played board games. It was a winning night!!!

Imagine my excitement when I received an email from Ann the next day asking me if I was available in the week because she was inviting me to play with her and a friend at her club. Now, I type very slowly, but the speed in which I responded must have been in record time. I had only a couple of days to prepare! I had not played in 6 weeks which is sometimes a good thing, but most times not, and I had not even brought my clubs. I made my way to the PGA Tour Superstore, similar to The Pro Shop only much smaller, to hit some balls for practice with my boys. I was like a kid in a candy store in the Tour Store but I did focus and get some practice shots in.

All roads lead to Inverness.

The reception and warm welcome I received was definitely typical Southern style, yes ma’am. I met Ann and Donna at the incredibly beautiful reception with a glass water fountain smack bang in the middle of the foyer that led to what I’ve heard is one of the best Clubhouses in Birmingham or the state. Ann was kind enough to loan me her late husband’s golf clubs that turned out to be just perfect and confirmed that I needed to change
to senior men’s clubs.

It was a blistering 31⁰ and only
9:30am, Alabama humidity…I was shook like I had never lived there. I always make it a point to avoid afternoon summer golf to because of the heat but how does one avoid 31⁰ degrees at 9am! I plastered on the sunscreen, with sleeves on and water for days. Not even the Alabama humidity and heat was going to mess this day up for me…. and we were off.

Inverness Country Club is a Private, 18 hole Championship, Par 71 golf course. It has quite narrow fairways, small greens, loads of trees lining the fairways and more than a few times I felt like I was playing in a beautiful forest that is paired with rolling hills. There is an underlying serenity to it that just makes the game so much more enjoyable even if you are playing a suspect game. My game was not too suspect. I managed to played a decent game and not embarrass my dear Melanie. The club had cut the grass the day before so the greens had been freshly cut qnd were lightening speed. I was happy I had gotten better at reading my lines because there are no caddy’s at this course. These ladies read their own lines on a daily basis and their putting was really impressive. I have since made an even bigger effort to always read my own lines and double check with the caddy. The lakes certainly do come into play on some of the holes and I’m happy to say I managed to not lose any of my Tiger balls on this course. A few of the holes slant from left to right in a big way and the advice I got from Ann and Donna was to aim it slightly right so it rolls to the middle because far right and left was all trees and getting out of there was going to be “a challenge” to put it mildly in the most Southern accent. Playing with these two ladies was the most enjoyable golf I had played in a long while. They kept it on the fairway, something I need to learn to do.

Inverness Country Club is beautiful and was everything I had imagined and hoped it would be. Out of the heat and looking forward to the clubhouse.
Ann treated us to a lovey lunch at the clubhouse and my girl Melanie joined us after for lunch wearu g her Summer SHIBA Easy Living dress. 😍

As expected, that menu was packed with ALL Southern favourites. I finally settled on the Fish Tacos and Sweet Tea (always when in Bama). We were joined by some of Ann’s golfer friends from Zimbabwe who now live in Birmingham and we had some great conversations about Royal Harare, Chapman Golf club and Leopard Rock. It turned out we had a similar friend in the late Tim Price. Without a doubt, this was the highlight of my trip back….well that and the kids. Thank you Ann Jeffcoat for making a girls dream come true.

Clubhouse lunch.
Fish Tacos and Sweet Tea

Catch you on the fairways.

Felicity.

FIRST ROUND

10th Tee Royal Johannesburg and Kensington East

Starting the year on a positive note is not something one should take lightly. Somehow I feel like it has a way of influencing the rest of your year or at least the first half of it. I could not have asked for better way to start my human interacting year and first golf round with the best humans. Having waited a whole two weeks before my first game, I was truly looking forward to playing with this awesome bunch. Our ambitions of starting with the Beast that is East at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington did not disappoint at all. The course is looking insanely gorgeous on all counts and the hospitality always second to non.

The weather was kind enough not to rain after a down pour the day and night before. Slightly overcast and yet humid, walking East is never a small task. My driver aka THOR was still stuck somewhere in orbit with a beer gut. To translate, I only hit the Driver twice and both times were dismal, so I battled the beast with my trusted 4 Iron also known as Iron Man off the tee. Yes, all my clubs are named after Marvel Characters. The chances of hitting wayward shots with 4 iron are very slim so I stuck to what works and the results were a better score than my last 5 rounds. The disconnect is still with the putting, the 3 putts have to be the most painful thing to happen on a golf course and bunker shots are still a nightmare. working on it…..

Iron Lady

Playing with these ladies has to be the most fun. There is a relaxed atmosphere and a ton of laughs coupled with light and equally intense conversations. Sportsmanship and comradery are the order of the day and a healthy dose of competitiveness because everyone wants to play well. We give each other a hard time for our rubbish shots and high five and fist pumps for the great ones. Especially when we play challenging courses like Royal East.

When they realize I’m taking pictures… 🤣

What was going to be our first round of drinks for our first round ended up being a beautiful evening filled with great food and conversations. A safe space to talk about the past, present and future. What a beautiful way to gain some perspective and realise that one is never truly alone. You just have to find a tribe that you are willing to share with…. Thank you ladies for a boost on confidence and great start to the year. Here’s to a year that is filled with all the things that matter.

Catch you on the fairways.

Felicity.

“Happy New Golfing Year” 2022

…but first, the year that was 2021.

Sitting here and reflecting on the golf year that was 2021 and can not help but appreciate what a big year it turned out to be after all….in the world of golf and personally. 2020 came with a pandemic that stopped us in our tracks and we entered 2021 frazzled, unsure, afraid of a repeat of the previous year where the world came to a standstill and there was hardly any golf played. Not wanting to be outshined by a pandemic the year turned out to be a spectacular Year In Golf. These are my highlights…

The year started with one of the biggest accidents in history of sports that left us all wanting to rewind to 2020 and make it all go away. Tiger Woods and the accident that almost cost him his life turned the golf world upside down. The devastation swept all around the world and was felt in places that went beyond golf. I was devastated, yes me personally and for the first time I understood why fans cry when their favourite athletes are hurt or retire. I was not ready for those Tiger Woods emotions. I am such a fan that even my kids were calling me to check if I was ok. This was not about him even playing golf again, it was just wanting him to stay alive. Then you realise the kind of impact a human being has carved in this lifetime. We did not care if he played golf ever again and Jack’s record became insignificant at that moment. Just stay alive was the hope from all his fans and because he is Tiger Woods and officially Iron Man (ignore the last Avengers movie for now) 10 months from his accident, he was back on a golf course, playing golf, in a tournament, shooting incredible scores and almost winning. If that is not Avengeresque, then what is? Red Shirt Sunday was back and we could not be happier as golf fans. He was the news, he remains the news.

Of course there were other significant highlights like The Americans winning The 43rd Ryder Cup. A 19-9 victory, the largest margin in Ryder Cup history and Tigers absence was palpable. The rise and rise of Colin Marakawa. Hideki Matsuyama winning The Masters, his caddies legendary Flag Bow, talk about the ultimate Flag Collection. Phil Mickelson’s record setting win and being the oldest player to win a major championship at the age of 50. The LPGA’s biggest rivalry between Nelly Korda and Jin Young ko. The 17th Solheim Cup and the fight that the European underdogs put up against the American team that had the most players in the worlds top 20. The welcome sight of spectators all around the world even here at home. The Sunshine Tour welcomed fans back during the Joburg Open held at Randpark Golf Club and The SA Open at Gary Player Country Club. Although rigged with strict Covid restrictions, it was still the best news.

There were definitely more flags collected than the previous year. The Biggest highlight of those flags being the absolutely stunningly beautiful VICTORIA COUNTRY CLUB Club in Pietermarizburg. Not knowing or expecting anything, I was pleasantly surprised by its breath taking views and level of difficulty. Set on rolling terrain saturated with majestic scenic beauty. Spectacular views surrounding escarpments and the valleys. I have put it down as one of South Africa’s most picturesque golfing experiences. The course itself is incredibly challenging and forces you to think with every single shot played. It was a combination of a proper golf challenge and not caring really because it was so beautiful and at no moment did I feel like it was a long day (even though it was). My lovely host Joy Chimombe with her solid game was patient with my not so impressive game and allowed me to be the golf tourist that I was that day. I definitely would love to return and hopefully play a decent game. It is number 1 on my 2021 new courses played.

Followed by SIMBITI COUNTRY CLUB which played like a signature Peter Matkovich designed golf course. The condition of the course is pristine. Manicured fairways and lush greens, It has a layout that will test your course management at every corner. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife on and around the course. Stunning views from the magnificent clubhouse with one of the best menus I’ve encountered on a golf course. Getting to play it with my nunubug made it even more special.

Then there was KNYSNA GOLF CLUB that turned out to be a little gem tucked away in George. The course features many tidal pools and stunning indigenous trees. The flat terrain makes it enjoyable and easy to walk yet still a test for players of all levels. It’s a challenging links parkland layout with many natural hazards and a beautiful backdrop of surrounding mountains. The trip to George for the Inaugural Ladies Loeries hosted by another fave, Simola Country Club with the best bunch of women, was one of thee best highlights of 2021. We played Simola in the worst conditions I’ve ever played in to date and yet still had the time of our lives.

We hosted the 2nd TGGD Charity Golf Day at the favourite and home course Royal Johannesburg and Kensington. What started out as a question of “can it be done” after the year we had just had turned into a “yes we can and we did”. The support and effort that made this event possible left me humbled and with enormous gratitude. From the unmatched staff at Royal Johannesburg and kensington golf club to all our sponsors and golfers. We managed to raise 20 sets of golf clubs, 50 caps, balls, golf shirts, golf shoes, gazebos, more range mats, range balls. There is so much more and we can not wait to share with you in the next coming months.

TGGD Charity Golf Day – Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club

The beneficiaries even went out on a day trip to Euphoria Golf Course hosted by BVC Ramushu Foundation, sporting their new equipment where they got to play the course for the first time. Many of the kids have never played on a course before and one of my goals this year is to get them more playing time. Now an officially registered NPO, the Alexandra Driving Range is set to make a sustainable positive impact on the lives of its members. There are many ways to get involved with charity through the game of golf and we urge you to take the time if you can.

The year ended with a controversial 54 hole end to the Joburg Open which was plagued by Joburg thunderstorms. Happy to be out walking and watching actual live golf, I was not deterred by the rain and determined to stay out as long as possible. I managed to catch some of my favourite golfers out there and witness a classy hole-in-one by JC Ritchie. With the looming cancelation of the last two tournaments because of the new variant that had immediately put South Africa on high alert and on an international travel ban and blacklist. I was happy to have ignored the weather for a day while I got to walk on the fairways.

The SA Open hosted by Nedbank at The Gary Player Country Club took place immediately after and turned out to be a beautifully put together event in spite of all the Covid restrictions that were in place. Covid screening daily for all participants. A total of 2000 fully vaccinated spectators were allowed to be a part of what would turn out to be the last tournament in 2021 after the sudden cancelation of the Alfred Dunhill that was to take place the following week. Excited to again work with Nedbank on their SA Open social media campaign I made my way to Sun City to take part in the proam and to meet my playing partner Dan Nicoll and our Pro, Joburg Open Champion Triston Lawrence. Who turned out to be the nicest and most patient guy. Without it sounding like I am making excuses, it was my first game in 8 weeks after my knee injury and I was nervous and tentative about the knee givinig out. Of course I played a long day but I was seriously not too mad about my game that day. I managed to hit a few gems that warranted some fist pumps from the team and even managed to get the longest Drive with my trusted 4 iron otherwise known as “Ironman”. We did not have to call for a cart to carry me back and I got through Gary Player solely on my Irons. Something I hope not to ever do again. It was a long day.

Day 1 Spectator Mode was activated at the Nedbank VIP Deck at hole #18. Possibly the best spot on the course to see my faves.
Even though they have been involved in golf for over 40years. Nedbank is increasingly raising the bar when It comes to golf development. Identifying programs like The Sally Little Trust and giving support where it’s needed. Giving golf a different voice by allowing golf lovers, content creators and golf bloggers like me to be a part of the journey. Making inclusion and representation important in the golf space. This is the 1st time since I have been watching the South African Open have I seen an impressive number of black golfers in the draw. A big stage that creates even bigger dreams for any young golfer watching. Nedbank has always been Golfs Greatest Partner and they continue to prove that.

2021 allowed me to play more golf with the ladies at my home course, appreciating how well organized our ladies are on a weekly basis and just the absolute fun that is had on the course every single time.

It also was the year that I played the most golf with my kids and watching them finally enjoy the sport that I love so much. Making it the most special golf year for me by far. Ending the year with the most important game at the favourite Royal Johannesburg East. ❤

2021 Golf Year in Pictures.

Thank you to all the sponsors and every single person who has been part of this 2021 golf year.

Catch you on the fairways!

Felicity Shiba

HOW SHORT IS YOUR SHORT GAME?

Definition of Short game – “the phase of golf in which accuracy of direction and control of limited distance (as in approach play or putting) are factors of first importance”

Amateur golfer could mean a couple of things. One, you actually play golf seriously and want to be a professional player one day OR Two, you play recreationally and have no intentions of ever turning professional but you take it seriously enough to want to see improvement in your game and handicap. Most of the latter (including me) are so impressed with their big drives, hence a lot of Drive For Show happens on the golf course. We tend to neglect the most important aspect of the game….the short game. I have played in many golf days where almost everyone on my fourballs short game lost them the day. I’m talking the reach the green in regulation then 3/4 putting thereafter. Its sad, it’s painful and it needs to stop. We all know the fastest way to improve your score is to improve your short game. My worst enemy is around the putting green. That shot puts the fear in most of us so much so we opt for the putter instead of a wedge. We choose to run it instead of chipping and the biggest culprit, the hockey putt way off the green.

Every time I ask a professional about the trick with chipping I get the same response…that a solid putting swing and a chipping swing are pretty much the same. You must keep your wrist flat and stiff. Your flat wrist will make sure that you make solid contact with the ball. Keeping the shoulders, arms and club moving at the same pace plus the flat wrist will help you control the distance and direction of your short shots more accurately…..erhh easier said than done right? This flat wrist is very important for golfers at all levels and Pro golfers know this secret and practice it all the time. I have to say, with a little more practice, I have seen some improvement in my chipping. I have almost ditched the putter and seven iron runner shot off the green and replaced it with some impressive chipping. I am working on accuracy, distance control and most of all consistency….work in progress. As intimidating as this part of the game is, when done properly, the chip shot gives you one of the most rewarding feelings in golf.

Why are women afraid of the short game and what advice would you have on improving that part of their game?

“I have found that a lot of women are afraid to experiment on the golf course and do what is comfortable for them. They tend to play safe. Unless you practice the shot, you will never become comfortable with it. Your practice and fun rounds of golf give you the perfect opportunity to experiment. You might find that playing the bump and run 7-iron is more effective than using your putter from 10m off the green.” – says Golf Pro – Michelle Leigh.

…But wait, then there is the oh so dreaded bunker shot. Bunkers we so fondly call “the beach” are nothing like the beach. Far from it actually. They are super intimidating and I personally have a tendency to find them. I am not talking fairway bunkers, those ones are almost harmless. I am talking the menacing green side bunkers. The part of the course where most course designers become evil scientist.

Possibly one of the trickiest shots in golf according to my golf game. The bunker shot has almost reduced me to tears at times. There is nothing as painful as trying a bunker shot 3 times or more and then picking your ball up because you just can’t any more. The most times I have thrown my club in a semi tantrum was the result of a green side bunker. Not my most appealing side but even the calmest golfer will turn into a tantrum throwing adult. So, with a little help from the pros, the bunker shot too has gotten better. Recently even I am surprised with my own shot making skills from the bunker. I found that my fail at executing this shot was me thinking because I am close to the green, there need not be much follow through. Bunkers also have so many elements to them that make them just insanely difficult without the right technique.

It turns out one MUST open the club face, accelerate and follow through the shot. It took me a while to get the hang of the open face play when it comes to bunker shots. “If you decelerate or stop at impact, you chunk it. In a green side bunker, you want to splash the ball out, and to do that you must have a steep swing and a high follow through. If you come up on it too soon, you’ll catch the shot thin and blade it. Don’t be afraid to take a slightly bigger swing, you are taking sand with the shot. It won’t go as far.” I have to say, Pros really make this difficult shot look so easy.

Then comes the money maker….the putting. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say my putting on a good day is a 6. I repeat, on a good day. This too becomes the part of the game that eludes most amateurs. The technique on it’s own will thump you….from reading the greens, lining up, putting stroke, speed and ball control to making sure your arms, shoulders and wrists are in synch. Issa lot. Personally one of the things that has made my putting better is learning how to read the greens. As amateurs, especially the ladies, we rely too much on our caddies to read our lines for us. What I have done with my game is that I will read my own lines and then ask my caddy for confirmation. 80% of the time I am right which most caddie find fascinating. It then boils down to my execution of the putt. I have recently changed my putting grip and Ive found I’m putting a little bit better. It’s taken a while to get the hang of the new grip and putting stroke but I like it. I still however need to learn to keep my wrists from breaking, resulting in so so so many birdies missed and prevention of lower scores.

What I do know for sure is that, without a decent short game there is no decent golf game.

Catch You On the Fairways.

GOLF IN THE YEAR OF COVID-19

THE YEAR 2020

Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club

2020 was a year that brought unimaginable changes to our lives. Suddenly the world was faced with a pandemic that quickly spiralled out of control and had us switch to panic mode. As the panic set in, the changes in our lives set in just as fast and what we saw as a normal way of life became not so normal and the term “a new normal” became set in our vocabulary. The restrictions that came with it affected how we socialized and just like that, being in the presence of other people, work, social gatherings, sporting events and your basic daily life were a hazard. The world went into lock-down and I found myself isolated alone for months on end without the one thing I considered my outlet, my therapy, my happy space….golf. Life as I knew it was cancelled for a while.

Fast forward… After 77 days into South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdown, the government finally eased up on some social activities and golf was unlocked. As a golf blogger and amateur who plays regularly, this has been one of the toughest times. Golf is not just a hobby, it’s a way of life for me personally and has become a source of my livelihood in so many ways. I get to spend hours outside walking, it provides mental well-being and emotional balance. I call it my mental, emotional and physical therapy. The unlocking of golf came with understandable strict protocols with regards to social distancing. Those included bookings all done on-line to avoid interaction with the pro shops, encouraging walking and pull-carts, rather than using golf carts or no sharing of carts and limiting golf carts to one person, setting extended times between fourballs tee-off times, distancing while putting, raised cups for easy ball retrieval to enable no touching of the flag stick, no access to locker rooms and immediate vacating of premises after a round. The list is endless but golfers were more than happy to comply, as long as we got to play and golf courses went above and beyond to make sure we complied.

Slowly but surely we eased into level 1 of lockdown and more golf was being played. The world of Golf Days came alive and for a short while things looked somewhat normal. The Sunshine Tour was back in full swing with it’s tournaments, allowing professionals to get back to work. South African golf was back on our screens and I could not have been more happy to see some of my friends and faves getting their lives back on track. Even if it meant watching from the comfort of my own home, it was still great to be able to watch. By October, my birthday month, we were well into trying to make up for lost time and dusting off the cobwebs from our swings. My annual birthday golf was a trip back to the quaint Clarens, curated by my favourite fourball. A trip with the girls that turned out to be incredibly special and one I will treasure forever. I shot my best score in a long time, Clarens was forgiving.

As I tried to cramp in as much golf as possible before the end of the year. I managed to get a few rounds on the home course Royal Johannesburg and the other fave Houghton Golf Club, by far my two favourite courses in Johannesburg. Their level of pristine fairways and greens makes golf so enjoyable no matter how your game turns out on the day. Coupled with their impeccable hospitality.

I managed to end my 2020 golf diary with some serious flag collecting highlights that came in the form of an invitation to play in South Africa’s oldest tournament, the 110^th edition of the The SA Open ProAm (yes, I’m still pinching myself). The change of venue to its new home The Gary Player Country Club at Sun City Resort was met with excitement after the Nedbank Golf challenge was cancelled because of the pandemic.

Arriving at Sun City Resort I was expecting all the check points from the gate all the way to hotel check-in because I had been there just a couple of months before for the opening of the Gary Player course after a long lockdown. Though no spectators allowed, the Sunshine Tour and Nedbank really went all out to create inclusivity with fans through social media with the #PlayYourPart campaign and Fanmode App. Hosting a ProAm meant making sure that every amateur had their Covid test certificate and no real interaction with the Pros for safety reasons. I have to commend the Sunshine Tour for the lengths they have taken to make sure that the players are safe. It was 2 amateurs to 1 professional, no touching, distance to be kept at all times, which of course was not an issue because pros play a different part of the course than we do anyway. 🙂 We take the scenic route pretty much all the time. Sunshine Tour masks were provided, sanitizers at every turn. As sad as I was that we could not have caddy’s for the first time at Gary Player, I completely understood the safety precautions that were being implemented. The cart was definitely a welcome substitute in the North West heat, even though I would not recommend playing that course without a caddy. My playing amateur partner did not get his Covid test done so he could not play, which left me with the pro and basically playing alone. I did get an assist on a couple of lines on my putts but it was mostly a solo event for me. It was my pros first time at Gary Player and I thought I saw a little distress at one point and knew he needed all the space to figure out how to navigate this beast. I did have some great holes and with that a cheer from the pro and his caddy but my overall game was not it hey…I have had better games here. The course was interesting without the grandstands knowing that it was a big tournament and biggest surprise and curve ball being that they turned the course around making the back nine the front nine, which turned my nemesis, the ever so picturesque 9^th hole the 18^th and an intimidating finishing hole. Missed a par and walked away with a bogey and a cartwheel was in order. The overall experience was truly spectacular and our hosts Nedbank, Sun City and Sunshine Tour came to the party, hospitality was nothing short of spectacular from check-in to goodbyes.

Leaving Johannesburg on a high I headed straight to Cape Town for what was a devastating reunion with my long time best friend, sister, confidant and the original day 1 golf partner Karen Opperman, who had just lost her beautiful 20 year old son Keenan aka Biggie K who was like a son to me, to a car accident. A brilliant kid, super athlete and avid golfer. What a devastating reunion. It had been at least 5 years since Karen and I played together and it was time to dust those clubs in honour of Keenan. Our golf story started out some 16 years ago in Zimbabwe where we both started out with lessons from Tim Price, brother to Nick Price Zimbabwe’s most decorated golfer. Tim turned Karen and I into Mashonaland’s most improved golfers in a space of 6 months. Golf was how we met, bonded and turned into a friendship that would lead to a sisterhood. A natural bond created by a Capetonian and Joburger in a foreign country. The most fun I have ever had on a golf course has to go to her and I believe there is not a course we did not play in Harare and the Eastern Highlands. Golf was our happiest place and we chose it to celebrate Keenan and his natural golf ability. We chose his favourite course to play, Durbanville Golf Club. Which by default has turned out to be my home away from home when in Cape Town. Our fourball consisted of people closest to his heart, mom Karen, big brother Aydon and his childhood best friend and regular golf partner Christopher (brilliant golfer) and me his aunt who never got to play with him. Something I will regret forever. As always, Durbanville Golf Club was the perfect host with their super friendly and helpful staff. It was my 4^th time playing here and the course is continuously upgrading and improving and it’s beautiful to see. The course was looking stunning as usual, the greens were super quick and bunkers were all in play on that day. The views of Durbanvilles winelands mountains at a distance never get old. I truly enjoy playing here and it is definitely worth a visit when you are in Cape Town. It was a perfectly beautiful day for the Inaugural Biggie K Family Golf Tournament test run. Thank you Durbanville. ❤

#RIPBiggieK Gone Too Soon.

CLOVELLY COUNTRY CLUB

My last game was a new flag collection and one that has been on my bucket list for the longest time. Clovelly Country Club, what an absolute delight. To say I was ending on a high would be an understatement. Situated between Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek and nestled comfortably in what feels like a valley as soon as you enter. A tight par 72, the layout is modelled among the sand dunes and water hazards disguised as beautiful flower ponds where course management plays an important role. The spectacular views of the ocean and mountains are enough to create even more beautiful distractions and my tree loving self could not help but be excited by the number of trees on the course. The wonderful welcome and reception from Paul Stoner and his team with Covid protocols in place was all one needed to let me know that the Clovelly experience had just began. My fourball and I were beyond excited. Trolleys in hand we set out from the sharpest dogleg left 10^th tee I have ever seen. A relatively flat short course and that definitely makes it a walking course and an ideal holiday golf destination. Not an easy course by any means. I donated my share of golf balls on the course. The wind picked up on our second 9 and my Johannesburg golf skills were no match for that coastal gust. The 18^th is a beautiful finishing hole with its elevated green, a view of the Clubhouse and it’s mountain backdrop. It was a busy day on the course and something tells me this is the norm. hoe can it not be with such a gem. Some of the lady members were nice enough to ask me how I enjoyed the course and invited me to a game next time I am in Cape Town. how could I refuse, plus they looked like a fun bunch to play with. So Pat Quill, we have a date and thank you for the kind words.

What a way to finish.

Catch you on the fairways,

Felicity Shiba

FIRST ROUND

Gary Player Country Club Open for Play.

When the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly forced the world to shut down. There were periods of uncertainty when it came to whether major tournaments would take place. To every golfers disappointment, the decision to cancel or postpone some of the biggest and longest running majors was announced. The world was under attack from a virus that was spreading like wildfire and no one was safe. In all of this was of course Africa’s Major, The Nedbank Golf Challenge held at the Gary Player Country Club Sun City Resort. On it’s 40^th Anniversary, Sun City Resort had to announce that the 2020 Nedbank Golf Challenge would be cancelled and the whole resort went into lockdown. For my own selfish reasons, my heart broke but with entirely understanding the circumstances involved in that decision, human lives first.

As much as this is the time in the year where all African golfers, pro or amateur get to see up close and personal. All of our favourite golfers from around the world battle and fight in our very own backyard. We get to use our own notes and experiences on how we might have tackled the same holes they were tackling. It is our time to shine when routing for the local boys at home, knowing that they can feel the energy and love on their home ground. A time where we get to see another new addition of a South African golfer making the list of Nedbank Golf Challenge players and hear their beautiful heartwarming stories of how many times they walked the tournament as kids hoping that one day they would too get to play there as a professional among the greats. As one of the Nedbank Golf Challenges biggest fans, one of my dreams is to see more black South African golfers make that field.

I am one of the amateur golfers lucky enough to get the chance to play in the LAST ROUND before the preparations for the tournament. This round happens a month before the Nedbank Challenge and its an official shut down of the course to the public while the team prepares the course for the pros and what usually turns out to be a spectacular set up and event. By this time, the grandstand on 18 is already going up and structures are being erected all and around the course. One can not help but feel the magic happening in that moment already. One of the many joys the pandemic has managed to steal is getting to take part in the the 2020 FINAL ROUND.

After months of complete shutdown, lockdown levels and hardly any activity. Golf was slowly and finally coming back and Level 1 came with some much needed good news of travel within the country and the tourism industry could now resume. This was topped of by an invitation to play in what was being called the FIRST ROUND on the 19^th September. A symbolic return of golf at the resort with the First Round since the reopening of golf courses nationwide. Sun MVG loyalty golfers had the chance to win R1 million prize for a hole-in -one on the par 3, hole 12. As the 12 hole would have it, no one won. One of the most deceiving holes on the course I think, looks short, plays longer and I can never read that green. Perfect place for a challenge.

Driving into the resort I was met with a number of COVID security checks that will put every cautious person at ease. Even more checks as one checks in at the VIP desk at SOHO and even more checks at the hotel check-in at The Palace and in no way did I find any of this tedious. Instead, I found it comforting to see measures that have been taken for guests and staffs well being. In just a short time of opening, the resort was already bustling with guests. Imagine that for a second…in all of 40 years, the resort had never not had guests. It had never not had golfers coming in to try their luck on the extremely challenging Gary Player country Club. Wanting to know what that experience was like and the challenges that came with it. I sat down with Brett Hoppe, General Manger Sun City Resort and later with Ken Payet, Operations Manager for Sport and Recreation at Sun City.

After going on at length about my heartache of the cancellation of the Nedbank Challenge, I finally let Ken say a word or two.

“The initial part of lockdown was OK because it was only supposed to be 3 weeks. Then it got extended for another 2 weeks. Even then we were still quite optimistic about having the event. Unfortunately as it went on it became more and more difficult to see it happening. The inability to put on an event that we know and love for so many years, crowds, grandstands, networking, socializing was one of the huge factors in our decision. Also being out 40^th addition, it was best to cancel the event and move it to next year where we hope we will be in a better position to have an event. We feel it was the right decision. During this time we had a small grounds team and we tried to maintain the course as best as we could. We didn’t do anything with the bunkers, we cut the tees, the fairways and the greens. We just did the bare minimum and it was a nice opportunity to do a some pruning on both golf courses of trees that had outgrown and blocked views and we managed to opened up the golf courses a bit.” – Ken Payet

After talking to Ken and stepping on to the first tee at hole number 1 I had high hopes of not losing any balls on this course this time around. The field was full and I and I, a rose among thorns. I choose to hit off of the men’s tee box on hole 1 and I walk away with a par. OK Gary Player, its you and I today me thinks. I did go on to play the rest of the game from the ladies. My first 9 was the best 9 I have ever played on this course but of course I was never prepared for the crumble on the back 9. I tried to finish strong but my dream of shooting 90 or less at Gary Player was shattered. I did however manage to not swim on my nemesis hole, hole 9 and went off at 18 with a Callaghan for my round, thanks to my caddy who managed to find the couple of balls I thought I had lost. The course is looking amazing, the greens are exactly what you would expect from Gary Player Country Club, well manicured and difficult to read. It was such a wonderful thing to see everyone happy to be back on the fairways.

“For a resort that’s operated for 40 years, 365 days of the year to suddenly be locked down in March. No people, no cars, we had a small team of people working and a small team of ground staff. You kind of walk through the hotel lobby’s and it’s only your footsteps echoing. So it was a bit eerie in a way. It became quite emotional as it unfolded and endured for longer and longer. Simply because of my role at Sun City, you consider yourself responsible for the staff. We’ve been in lockdown for 177 days, the caddies haven’t worked for 177 days. Thankfully at Sun City all green fees contribute to the caddy foundation so what we managed to do with that is use those funds to create food parcels and from a resort point of view we contributed to that at varies intervals. We were able to do food vouchers for the caddies to help them sustain themselves. The lockdown has given us chance to look at the things we can improve on and implement those and change the way we do business where change needs to happen. So we are ready to welcome our guests back. We are prepared and we’ve spent a lot of time around Covid protocol. In essence we’ve tried to create a bubble at Sun City that complies with track and trace and our philosophy is, if you feel safe and the family feels safe then we are ideally positioned because once you’re in at Sun City, you don’t have to feel exposed. We are doing fully inclusive packages for families both at Cabanas and at The Palace. We have the ability to do high end fully inclusive”- Brett Hoppe

The hospitality from The Palace and the resort staff is always a highlight for me and this place leaves me with a feeling of looking forward to getting back every time I leave. Thank you Sun City Resort.

Catch you on the fairways.

CARRY, PULL or CART?

A return to the fairways….

A short note as we are gearing up to get back on the fairways and with it trying to navigate a round of golf in a pandemic. The big question is…will people walk, use pull carts or carry their own bags more so now or use carts instead? Will it be a cart per person for a fourball, making it 4 carts per fourball? Do clubs even have that many carts? Can they handle the demand? Will the individual electric golf bike become a favourite? If so, what of the caddies? Will ball spotters become a prerequisite maybe?

If we all choose to walk and pull our own weight. How does this impact on slow play, on the number of people on the field per day? How does the golf course keep its “tee times booked and played numbers” up? One thing is for certain, this is our new normal. We all have to play our part in making sure that our courses and this game that we love so much remain intact.

What a challenging time for all golf courses and members. I have no doubt that all courses will take all the necessary steps and procautions to make sure everyone is safe and taken care of, on and off the course. It is also entirely up to us too as golfers to make sure that we are sensitive to our own safety and to other golfers around us. Things like cleaning out your cart of all your trash, to make it easy to sanitize and staff do not have to handle it. These new normals should be effective immediately.

With all that’s said and done. We are more prepared now than ever.

Looking forward to returning to the fairways.

GOLF in the TIME of CORONA.

The global coronavirus pandemic has had irreparable effects on daily life throughout the world. Massive temporary changes have had to be put in place in order to slow the virus’ spread. With the world going under a necessary lockdown, all sports, more importantly (from where I’m sitting) golf felt the impact almost immediately with Majors like The Masters having to cancel or postpone to a much later date. Leaving professional and golf fans alike feeling lost and unprepared to deal with the implications of withdrawal symptoms.

The devastating impact of the lockdown on the golf community as a whole has been enormous. South Africa has over 500 golf courses that employ hundreds of thousands of people from caddies, ground staff, hospitality, golf tourism, events…I could go on… Our caddies being affected the most. Courses like Royal Johannesburg, Copperleaf, Serengeti…just to name a few, including their members have done an amazing job with trying to assist the staff during this trying time.

Sunshine Tour to the rescue with something less devastating than the results of the pandemic, with a fun and lighthearted entertaining way.

Sunshine Tour Virtual Golf Challenge

Sunshine Tour Virtual Golf Challenge game 3. Pebbles vs Portato

The Sunshine Tour’s professionals have been making up for a lack of live tournament golf during the COVID-19 pandemic by challenging each other on the Sunshine Tour Virtual Golf Challenge game.

Each week two Sunshine Tour professionals accept a challenge and then play 9 holes against each other online, and which is live streamed via YouTube for the country’s golf fans to watch.

The 3rd match, a rematch of the virtual challenge between Brandon Stone and Haydn Porteous took place this past Sunday 10th May. After Porteous’ untimely exit from the first match the Sunday before due to wifi technical difficulties. He was fired up for the 2nd round rematch and the match was tougher and more entertaining this time with both players wanting the win.

Unfortunately, unintentionally I seem to have been a big distraction after asking Stone a serious question about his foundation, that required him to take some concentration off his game during a crucial putt. My bad!!! 😂😂 This led to Porteous tying the match at 1-1 and the trophy being shared as a final result.

I sincerely apologize for my part in “The Stones” dimise but must say I was happy with the response to my question about his foundation. Who’s launch that was scheduled for the 7th April 2020 unfortunately had to be postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak and subsequent lockdown. Look out for any news on this great initiative in the future that is aimed at giving back in more ways than just golf.

Personally I’m a big fan of both golfers and an even bigger fan of people who like to help others win in life too, through giving back and gratitude.
If you haven’t already tuned in on one of these, I suggest you do next Sunday. Thoroughly entertaining and lighthearted way to get to know your Pros.

Catch you on the fairways….

Lejan Lewthwaite

At the last @GPInvitational I caught up with the newest member of TaylorMadeSA member & recently crowned #SuperSportLadiesChallenge Champ. It’s her birthday today, show some love. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lejan Lewthwaite, hope you have a great one. She is going into Dimension Data week as one of the favourites. Good Luck. ❤️🎉🎈🎂💃🏾#WCW