Knysna Golf Club Lady Captain’s Report
October 2020

Good afternoon everyone and thank you for attending.

What a different year the past one has been and who would have imagined us having to live through a global pandemic, lockdown, temperature checks, sanitisers, masks, social distancing and no golf? As I reflected over the past 14 months, I was despairing as to what to say and resorted to going through some photos and news on our club’s Facebook page. What a God-send that proved to be! I was reminded of some really good things that happened and I want to share some of these with you.

The Old Girls of Knysna enjoyed a tasty lunch at the club on 28 October 2019. It was a wonderful opportunity for the ladies to catch up with each other and there was great merriment and laughter. Thanks to Sam for organising such an enjoyable get together.

The Southern Cape AGM took place at Oubaai Golf Club in November 2019. Many of our Silver and Bronze players attended and it was a very proud moment for our club when our C League were announced winners of their division and I was presented with the trophy on behalf of the players. A special word of thanks to all the ladies who have made themselves available to represent our club and a big thank you to Judith for organising and motivating the league teams. Another highlight was Tanya Lightley being elected to serve on the Southern Cape Committee.

Our most senior regular player, Mavis Halliday, won the Peggy Condon Trophy at the age of 86. With net scores of 71 and 74 in the October and November 2019 Medal Competitions, she won this event hands down. Well done Mavis!

A Tropical Christmas was our theme last year and the ladies didn’t disappoint by going all out to dress up for the event. The karaoke proved to be a hit and some ladies had to have the mic pried out of their hands. Bev McKenna, Elaine Pain and Hilda Hofmeyr had fun creating a tropical paradise and a good time was had by all. Thanks to the décor team for their creativity and enthusiasm which is much appreciated.

The Annual Ashes Trophy competition took place on 13 January 2020 and was won by Tina Procter and Melanie Cloete. Well done ladies!

The Meet and Greet and League Players Cocktail Function took place on 28 January 2020. It was well supported and the C League ladies were excited to defend their title.

The next trophy competition was the Finkelstein Trophy which took place on Valentine’s Day and was won by Trish Leach and Mary O’Reagan.

Our annual Knysna Ladies @ Home day took place on 12 March 2020 in blazing sunshine. The theme was ‘the 20s’ and our decor trio of Bev McKenna, Elaine Pain and Hilda Hofmeyr did not disappoint. Food Lover’s Market sponsored not only the prizes, but also the ingredients while our amazing kitchen staff produced our 1920s themed menu. It was well supported by lady golfers from across the Garden Route and an enjoyable day was had by all.

Club Champs was reduced to an 18-hole competition due to bad weather and our lady winners in the different divisions were:

Ladies Champion – Lizzie Lightley
Ladies B Division Champion – Di Tingle
Ladies C Division Champion – Sue Stavers
Congratulations to all our winners!

And then COVID happened.

We went into a hard lockdown for a time and many of us despaired of ever being able to buy alcohol, cigarettes, play golf or work again. Family and loved ones who didn’t live nearby suddenly seemed very far away. We mourned the loss of one of our most prominent members, Gitta Tuschard, who will be remembered fondly as an enthusiastic league and competition player, as well as an excellent former Lady Captain and former Lady President.

During this time, our Exco had to meet and ensure the wellbeing of all our staff. The caddies were identified as in need of financial assistance and a caddy fund was started and well supported. Many members were generous and donated to this fund and the Ladies Section donated R15,000 from our Standard Bank Account towards this.

I want to pay tribute to our sponsors for their ongoing patronage throughout the year: they are FLM, PSG Wealth, Scratch Golf, Chemdry, Hazel Eksteen and Sotheby’s, Africa Ozone, and Carina Procter. I would also like to thank you, the players, for supporting our Thursday competitions with such enthusiasm.

Another incredibly important word of thanks must be given to Ronel; Simon, Chris and Earl in the Greens Office; Gordon and the Bar Staff; and Brenda and her bevy of cheerful ladies in Hilsen’s for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the smooth operation of our club. Also a special thank you to Leonard, Adam, Ben and the caddies: you are a vital and valuable team of people who help make our club such a great place to be.

Tienie, Charlie and all the guys who work so hard on the upgrades and maintenance of the course: I thank you for all that you do. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and understand what is involved in presenting a well maintained course.

I also wish to thank our Executive Committee who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the future of our club. The consequences of COVID-19 presented us with huge challenges which, if it weren’t for the swift, efficient and cautionary measures taken, we would be facing a very different outcome today.

Finally, I come to our Ladies Committee…..

What can I say except that I am in awe of all of you for your skill, dedication, and the relentless support you have shown me. I am blessed to have had Marion and her superb penmanship, Judith who doesn’t take “no” for an answer (and got everyone to play in knockouts etc). We are going to miss you so much and look forward to your return visits. Lastly, thank you to Sunet for your wisdom and guidance, and Sam for your support and for having my back when I wasn’t around.

This concludes my report and I would like to wish the incoming Committee good luck and best wishes for their term in office.

Thank you

Wendy-Ann du Toit