SUMMER Golf Season.

LOADING…

It is the start of summer and this to most amateur golfers means it’s the start of endless amounts of time on the fairways. Gone are the early morning frozen fairways, greens and what I consider close to frost bitten fingers. Winter golf is not fun but at the same time, one cannot just sit at home for months waiting for the sun to come back. So, we brave the early morning tee times, endure the super dry yet rewarding running fairways. We show up because, even in all of that cold air and brown surroundings, there is still an element of beauty.

Summer Golf….

USUTU FOREST GOLF CLUB.

What a perfect way to start my summer golf season. At the quint village gem surrounded by forests. Usutu Forest Golf Club nestled in the quietly beautiful Mhlabanyatsi Forest in Eswatini. Mhlambanyatsi and I have a long history of some of the best memories of my childhood, hours spent in swimming pools, summer camps, first loves, heartbreaks and anything in between what happens in your teenage years. It has remained my favourite part of this beautiful country that I can call home. I have mentioned before that golf was never a consideration for me growing up, regardless of the proximity of the golf courses around me. I did not know or see anyone like me playing golf and so without any representation, one never even considered it a sport I could take part in. When I finally did take up golf in my 30’s, Usutu Forest and every other club in Eswatini were top of my bucket list. It has taken me a long time to get here but I am glad I finally have.

Usutu Forest is a 9hole Highland course with alternate tee boxes for a full 18 holes. Surrounded by forest and an abundance of other (besides pine) beautiful, majestic old trees and spatters of colour, this little gem is a lovely sight. As cute and short as it is, it is still as tricky as can be and yet also incredibly kind to your game. If you are a long hitter there are a few opportunities to use your driver and you might find a few birdies, maybe an eagle. A pleasant walk in the forest that I would recommend to any golfer.

Catch you on the fairways.

Nelson Mandela Foundation Golf Invitational

Steenberg Golf Club.

Cape Town

The Nelson Mandela Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on memory, dialogue and legacy work, founded by Nelson Mandela in 1999. An organisation that supports, empowers and guides community and social upliftment projects. One of the latest projects on their vast portfolio is one very near and dear to my heart, the ability to evoke charity through golf. The Nelson Mandela Foundation Golf invitational has found a way to do just that, continuing to raise funds in furtherance of the Trusts objectives.

Charity Golf days have become a popular and fun way to raise donations for all types of non profit organizations regardless of what the charity is intended for. They are a way for donors to enjoy being outside, have fun while supporting a great cause. They provide ample opportunities to raise money, before, during and off the course. Since their inaugural Invitational in April 2019, the Nelson Mandela Foundation Golf Invitational has found a way to create a meaningful and fun golf day for it’s supporters.

Following the Johannesburg golf day at Houghton Golf Course earlier this year, the Cape Town day proved to be a great success. The Johannesburg golf day held at what is without a doubt one of my favourite courses in Gauteng, the ever so tricky Houghton continued on with the legacy and Madiba’s links to the suburb of Houghton. The Cape Town day was held at the stunningly beautiful yet challenging Steenberg Golf Club. Understanding the history of golf in South Africa, one can’t help but appreciate the significance of these venues. Going forward, the foundation plans to hold a Bi Annual Golf Invitational and I can not help but to think that this is the beginning of a legacy.

The day started with the welcome of guests by Nelson Mandela Foundation staff to the clubhouse where they picked up their goody bags that included beautiful golf shirts that were inspired by a colourful South African heritage. I am happy to say I got one and even though I did not get to play this time, I am looking forward to wearing the shirt out while Flag Collecting

“It was amazing! Course was super!! My first time playing it. I thought it would rain but it became sunny and a bit warm. Ended up coming 4th with my fourball with 78 points. The work the NMF are doing is amazing. I’m so happy to be invited to contribute however I can.” David Kau

The golf was followed by a delicious meal along with prize-giving for the days winners. Congratulations to the winning fourball on 88 points: Donavan Collison, Derek Cross, Joseph Mosia, Steve Flandorp.

A special thank you to the following people:

Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Lewis-Hill
Master of ceremony David Kau
Trustees: Futhi Mtoba, Prof Marwala Maya Makanjee

Thank you to the wonderful sponsors who made this day ever so meaningful.

Indwe
MSC Cruises
MCS Cargo
Future Managers
Ennova Holdings
Network Plus
Supersport
Adcock
McCain

"What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." - Nelson Mandela

If you would like to be a donor for the next event please contact the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

https://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/contact

Catch you on the fairways.

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.