On the tee with Pargie
One of my favourite tourneys on the “European” circuit is the Nedbank on the Gary Player-designed course in Sun City, South Africa.
I have been to Sun City and played that course. It’s a wonderful resort designed by Sol Kerzner, particularly for the golfer. One attraction of the course is the number and diversity of wild life that wanders around it.
Commentator Tony Johnstone is particularly well-informed and his observations are as diverting as the golf.
Gary Player did an interview with Nick Dougray.
Personally I find the “little big man” a tad too self-opinionated but no denying his record of winning majors in 3 decades, and being the first foreigner to win the Masters.
He brought up one of his constant beefs – the power of the modern clubs that have reduced pro golf to a drive and pitch.
He also raised the issue that golf is two games: the one for the amateur club golfer and the other for the professional. He opined they should have 2 sets of rules.
I’m not sure I agree.
My companion on the course at Sun City was a successful ad man and captain of Coombe Hill, an elegant golf club in Kingston, Surrey.
Once such golf clubs had close relationships with the pro, in Coombe Hill’s case Neil Coles.
Sadly this exists no longer.
We discussed this as we chewed the golfing cud. When I asked my friend on the club stance on anchoring the putter he replied they follow the R and A rulings.
His life as club captain was busy enough without having to arbitrate on golf disputes. The club golfer can be a fractious being so an universal code is most practical.
I was on Louis Oosthuizen. He was unwell pre-tourney and post vital fatigue affected him as he shot a 63 in the first round and 75 in the fourth.
Tommy Fleetwood won the play-off over Marcus Kinhult with three eagles , four birdies and two bogeys in his final round of 65.
Fleetwood trousered the prize money of $2.5 million and is second to Bernd Wiesberger in the Race to Dubai which could net him at least another $3 million. Nice work if you can get it.
Over on the USPGA darkness settled on the Mayatoba course in Mexico before the end. Brendan Todd and Vaughan Taylor head the leader-board and I hope my picks Billy Herschel and Abraham Ancer can finish in the top eight for my each way tickles.
