The “Earls cup” played this past, Saturday and Sunday at the two courses, St Cathryn’s and Greytown golf club, saw two well balanced teams do battle for the trophy. Earl Browning grew up and farmed in the area and was also a very good golfer and played most of his golf out of Greytown, he also played a few games at St Cathryn’s.

Saturday the Greytown golfers travelled to Kranskop and played nine holes of Better ball. After the first nine holes, all games were square with two points all.

After lunch, a different format, foursomes, where one members would tee off and the partner would play the alternative shot. Very interesting format as a partner could tee you off into a difficult place on the course and then the next golfer has to play the shot out of trouble… and hopefully not into new a place of trouble. Putts could be given, when you think the opposition would have sunk the put. Giving of putts is also sometimes a tactical show of sportsmanship, because at times your opponent would expect to have a putt given to square the hole. Young Gareth Larken paired with his father on Saturday, missed a crucial 12inch put, and could have won their game against Nel and Meyer. At the evening stage, St Cathryn’s was leading four and half to three and a half. A most welcome storm was had during the evening and over cold beverages and a braai, team tactics were discussed.

St Cathryn’s “larney army” sole spectator Paul du Preez kept players and team captain updated as to how the other games were progressing during the weekend.

Sunday morning the singles matches were played at Greytown. The players set off in true Ryder cup fashion with matching clothing outfits. The singles format is played, where the two players compete to win the hole and the player with the most holes won, wins a point for his club.

Results of the singles matches:
Dieter Meyer lost 2 and 1 to Gareth Larken.
Fanie van Wyk drew to Peter Hardy the teams shared a point. Peter Hardy was also questioned about the use of two caddies….it was later revealed the one caddie was his girlfriend……
Maruis Muller beat Dawie Pieterse to give St Cathryn’s one pont , Colin Corbishley beat Mark Scott and Tienie Muller lost to Sean Snead. Tienie was the most experienced match play player in the field and was at one stage two holes up over the forrester.
Piet Nel was “game captured” by Sven Bruss by a whopping five and four and that must have been the breakfast cereal Sven had.
Tubby sold Mike Harrison like a good car salesman, by two and one and the last game between the two gentlemen in the teams, Andre Liddemore and Richard Cyrus, ended in a draw, to have Greytown beat St Cathryn’s 6 points to 2.

The final score over the two days of golf was Greytown 9.5 points to St Cathryn’s 6.5 and this was the biggest winning margin in the history of the Earls cup. The hand crafted trophy made with two of the original clubs that Earl used, was then handed to captain Gareth Larken by Earls’ daughter Rosemary Cyrus. The tournament was played in good spirit and lots of fun was had by all. At the time of going to press, the Proteas down in PE are hoping for rain to end play and at one stage the St Cathryn’s players hoped for a rain stopped play result – that could have made them retain the trophy.

This coming weekend we play the Farmers Agri-care monthly mug and with the wet conditions, the golf lesson for the month of January is stay on the fairway… the rough is getting tough and that would be for most golf courses.

To book for golf please phone Piet 0832691661