GOLF @KINGSWOOD

When perusing weekly newsletters disseminated by the able team at Kingswood Golf Operations, it’s clear that there truly is an event included in the monthly lineup for every skills level and preference.

It’s important to keep your eye on the KGO calendar to book your spot in time. Off the course, the Friday night dinner specials and exciting King of Clubs competition are firm favourites among Kingswood residents and members – more on the rules and history of this ‘lucky draw with a twist’ lower down in this report.

Golf attractions in May Ladies golfers are reminded that Saturday tee times are available for you to hit the course and unwind. Contact the Pro Shop to book under the ‘Ladies’ Saturday Game’ and reserve your time to tee off the weekend in style. Please take note that the next Sunday Mixed Competition has been moved from 12 May to 5 May.

All members are invited to diarise these dates:
• Saturday 4 – Handicaps League 2
• Sunday 5 – Sunday Mixed Competition
• Thursday 9 – John Bland Trophy (the event moves to George Golf Club on the 10th)

Battle Royale: Saturday 11 May. Teeing off in the ultimate showdown once again are the English Bulldogs versus the Afrikaanse Boerboele – but who will reign supreme on the greens this time? Book at the Pro Shop.

Kingswood Junior Open: Sunday 12 May. As is always the case, the Kingswood Junior Open on 12 May promises to be an exciting day filled with youthful fun and healthy competition among the best of junior players.

Rainbow Riders Golf Day: Tuesday 14 May. ‘Gallop for Good’ by supporting the four-legged champions of the track on Kingswood’s fairways and greens. Proceeds of your participation will benefit the budding local horseriding community.

Standard Bank International Pairs: Wednesday 15 May. Entries are now open for the Standard Bank International Pairs Club Qualifier. Entry fee is only R100 per player and pairings include your choice of two males, two females, or mixed pairs.

Take note: clubs can host up to four thrilling qualifiers; one pair progresses for every 30 players; you will receive two golf balls upon registration.

More than just a ‘lucky draw’: The King of Clubs competition has become a stalwart of Friday night attractions at the Kingswood restaurant. Generally credited with conceptualising the event for KGE’s purposes is Men’s Golf Captain Ymke Schutte, whom The BUZZard managed to catch for a quick reference before he hit the road to foreign shores last week.

Past month’s bragging rights
Congratulations to some of those players who came out tops on the course during regular events in April:

13 April – Meat Competition
Arno Crous and Danie Obermeyer – 43pts c/i
Lizette Leewner and Marlene Botha – 43pts c/o
Ben Viljoen and Jean Wilson – 43pts c/o

16 April – Tuesday Competition
Willem ‘Tat’ Brummer, Theuns Wolmarans, Rankin Burger and George Payne – 94pts
ISP Winner: George Payne – 41pts

17 April – Wednesday Competition
Arno Crous and Danie Obermeyer – 43pts Mark
Radermacher and Cliffie Botha – 41pts Fannie D and Roger Grant – 40pts c/i

20 April – Saturday Competition
Johan Barkhuizen and Llewellyn Rheeder – 42pts c/o
GP Steyn and Jacques Snyman – 42pts c/o
Justin Thomas and Ross Templeton – 41pts c/i

20 April – Meat Competition Dawie
Jansen van Vuuren and Pierre Durant – 44pts c/i
Jaco Plek and Francois Jordaan – 44pts c/o
Johan Barkhuizen and Llewellyn Rheeder – 44pts c/i

Says Ymke: ‘Golf director Peter Yzelle is responsible to a large extent for the event’s success, having been involved from its origination at Kingswood, and continuing to play an integral role in its organisation.’

An effervescent source of fresh news when it comes to happenings on and off the course, Peter was keen to fill us in. ‘The concept is, of course, not unique to Kingswood, since many other clubs offer a similar competition for members. But we decided to design our own version to create a platform for people to come together: players, nongolfing homeowners and golf members not resident on the estate.

‘This type of competition is often referred to as a “Joker Draw”, but we decided to call our version King of Clubs to include the Kingswood brand as well as all meanings of the word “club”. After its onset two years ago, the first winner was drawn on 14 April last year, and we had our second winner in March.’ Peter says the rules were adjusted over time to offer more chances to more potential winners:

‘In the past, only one number was drawn and the holder went to select a card. If they did not choose a card, they received R200. Now, two numbers are drawn and the first person can choose a card or 10% of the evening’s income. If that person takes the money, a second person will have the choice between card and cash.’

For those not yet in the know, tickets cost R100 and sales open at 17:30 every Friday; the last tickets are sold at 18:50 for the draw to take place at 19:00 sharp. ‘We retain 10% of every draw to add to the next pot, which means it’s not empty in case there’s a next lucky winner the follow Friday,’ explains Peter. ‘I must also mention that no one profits from the King of Clubs.

Takings either go to the winner or are held back to make the next pot more attractive.’ He reminds that only people who are in good standing at the club are allowed to participate, and not only residents and golf club members but also those who rent on the estate long term are encouraged to enter. For previous winners’ privacy we won’t mention names here, but Peter says they look forward to congratulating their third lucky winner in the very near future.

Rands and rules

As an indication of the amounts involved, consider that by 24 April the pot was standing at R70,111 (that’s about R65,000 for the taking). And before the most recent winner got lucky late in March, the jackpot had hit R298,300! Can you afford not to try your luck? After all, the chance of winning big is but a card-flip away …

It’s already a jolly affair when joining Friday night dinner special revellers for delights such as fresh fish and chips or hearty lasagne, and there’s always live music to ensure great vibes. The evening’s muso is also responsible for the draw – invariably a source of much hilarity. See the rules elsewhere on this page and call KGO on 086 172 7170 or visit the website for details.

King of Clubs rules

The King of Clubs is only open to Kingswood Golf members and Kingswood homeowners.

The winner will be verified before the money is handed over.
Each week two names are drawn:
A. The first person drawn gets to choose between the Money and the Box. i. Pick the MONEY and you get 10% of the collections on the evening (guaranteed). ii. Pick the BOX and you get to play King of Clubs and pick a card for the main pot.

B. The second name drawn will automatically qualify for the option NOT selected by the first person in the Money or the Box. Depending on the first person’s decision, you could walk away with 10% of the takings on the evening OR you could take a chance at the main pot.

The percentage of the collections each Friday night carried over to the next pot, which will increase with every R100,000 as the main pot grows, is as follows:
a. From R0 to R100,000 – 10% of collections will carry over
b. R100,000 to R200,000 – 15% of collections will carry over
c. R200,000 to R300,000 – 20% of collections will carry over
d. R300,000 to R400,000 – 30% of collections will carry over
e. Each additional R100,000 will add 10% to the carry-over.