The EARL’S CUP was played for the 4th time this weekend, 26 and 27 February 2022, with day one being played at St Cathryn’s in typical midlands mist and drizzle.
The St Cathryn’s team consisted of youth, two school boys Matt du Preez and Joshua Gifford. To keep the discipline and morale in team, the new headmaster Matt Reed got selected. The rest of the team was made up of St Cathryns Stalwarts: Troy Gifford, Dieter Meyer, Marius Muller, Paul du Preez, Andre Liddemore, Fanie van Wyk and Piet Nel. Club Captain Van Wyk lost the toss and Greytown were sent in to Tee-off first. On Sunday Tienie Muller replaced Troy Gifford who retired hurt.
It was good to see Mike Cyrus (grandson of Earl) in the Greytown team, and he caused many a headache for the St Cathryn’s team when he was involved on Saturday to pull Paul and Piet back, to halve their game, after Nel and du Preez senior were up four holes. Mike also won his singles game and Grandfather Earl would have been very proud.
Due to illness in the Greytown team, Dill Reed and John-Loyd Rawstorne got elected, and this seems to be a long term strategy to replace older players with muscle and good looks…
The scores were St Cathryn’s 3 points and Greytown 2 points after the 9 holes of Betterball. The spoils were shared in the Foresomes format at 2.5 points each leaving St Cathryn’s with a slight lead after day one of 5.5 points to 4.5 points.
On day two at Greytown the weather threatened but fortunately held off. There were some runaway victories, some closely fought matches and even one game that was halved in the singles format. Greytown went into day two only 1 point behind and needing 5.5 points to retain the trophy and 6 points to win it outright for the third year in a row. St Cathryn’s needed 5 points to win the trophy back.
Greytown went out and won the first four matches and then the matches started to become more intense. After nine singles matches the scores were tied at 9.5 points a piece. In the final match Greytown were 1 up with one hole to play. St Cathryn’s rallied back and won the final hole leaving the scores tied at 10 all. After all was said and done Greytown retained the trophy. A big thank you goes to all the players from both sides who played all the matches in a great spirit. Lots of fun and laughter was had even though the weekend was competitive. Thank you to St Cathryn’s and Greytown for hosting the weekend, it is certainly a highlight of the golfing calendar. Thank you to Dieter Meyer for all his planning and organising of this Fun Weekend.
This Weekend on Sunday we are hosting our first Ladies 9 hole breakfast golf – Opening Special R100.00 Breakfast and Golf, excluding golf cart. It will be a French Affair – Scrambled Eggs in a Croissant Breakfast. (We hear there will be Champagne).
To Book please contact the Club 0825552661