June 2013 - Department of Defence

S A S O L D I E RsportSANDF Golf ChampionshipsArticle and photo by Lt Col Ilzedu Toit, Corp Com OfficerSANDF GolfThe SA National DefenceForce Golf Championshipswere recently held at WhiteRiver Country Club inMpumalanga. The aim of thetournament was participationbetween all qualifying SA NationalDefence Force golfers to test theirskills and perseverance and todetermine a winner in each categoryand to give players an opportunity tocompete.The Inter-Services Tournament washeld at the White River CountryClub. During this event the fourServices played 36 holes dividedinto foursomes in the morning fieldand individual match play in theafternoon. The teams consisted of 18players per Service. The SA Air Forcewon the A-Team category, while the SAArmy won the B and C-Team categories.The following day the SANDF GolfChampionships were officially openedby the Chairperson of the SANDF Golf,Lt Col Wiekus Schoeman.The Championships were played overfour days in the form of a stroke playcompetition. Altogether 86 playersparticipated from all parts of SouthAfrica.The Championships also identifiedplayers to represent the SANDF duringupcoming events such as the Inter-Forces Tournament in September2013 in George between the SA PoliceService, the Correctional Services, theFire and Emergency Services and theMetro Police.During the week of the SANDF GolfChampionships it is tradition toalways give back something to thecommunity in the area where thechampionships are presented. For2013 it was decided to invite learnersfrom the Kamagugu Inclusive Schoolin Nelspruit for developmental golf onthe White River Golf Country estate.During this event members from theSANDF Golf Committee and some ofthe top players of the week dividedthe learners into different groupsto play three holes, assisted by theSANDF players who demonstratedgolf techniques and etiquette.Afterwards they participated in someputting games. The day ended withthe handing over of five developmentgolf sets with goodie bags.The week ended with a prize-givingfunction where all the winners in thedifferent categories and the SANDFGolf Team consisting of eight playerswere announced.Maj Jay van der Waltwas the SANDF GolfChampion with agross score of 297over four days. TheLadies’ Championwas Col Karen Wattswith a gross score of324 over four days.Lt Col Wiekus Schoeman, Chairperson SANDF Golf (front, left), Lt Col SilasMankge, Vice Chairperson SANDF Golf (front, right), and WO1 Ernst Bock,Development member SANDF Golf, hand over the five sets of golf clubs to thelearners from Kamagugu Inclusive School in Nelspruit.The Inter-regionwinners: WesternCapeThe Inter-Serviceswinners - CDivision: SA ArmyThe Inter-Serviceswinners - BDivision: SA ArmyThe Inter-Serviceswinners - ADivision: SA AirForce44 • J U N E 2 0 1 3