Golf On The Cape

May 12 2008 by The Journal

North East golfers from Ryton Golf Club with friends from Westerhope and Sandbarn GC in York enjoyed a stunning 14-day golfing holiday in Cape Town, South Africa. Twelve players made the trip, staying near the famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and playing nine courses during their stay.

Amongst the courses played were Royal Cape GC, the oldest club in the Western Cape, Arabella, rated in the top five courses in South Africa, and Pearl Valley, home of the South African Open in 2007 and to be repeated in 2008.

Daily competitions were played including a singles tournament over eight days for the Siam Cup (created during a visit to Thailand and played for subsequently on all, long haul foreign visits, of which this one was the sixth since 1999). It was won by Jeff Bennett of Ryton.

In addition, the final competition at Pearl Valley was for vouchers kindly donated by Shaun Richardson of Phipps Golf in Boldon in memory of his father John Richardson, who was a staunch supporter of the foreign golfing holidays and who sadly passed away earlier this year.

On this occasion the prize winners were Jeff Bennett and Don Smithson.

Don, who is Chairman of Ryton Golf Club and organiser of the trip, was delighted with the success of the holiday, with perfect weather and perfect courses.

The group made sure that they enjoyed not only the golf but the sights and sounds of Cape Town with visits to the Winelands, Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope) and a trip to the top of Table Mountain.