 | | A legend amongst his peers - Abe alias "Tolla" born 18th Jan 1947 in Garden Village, youngest of 5 brothers and 1 sister, schooled in Somerset West and Garden Village.
Caddied his 1st bag at age 10, 1957, Caddie master got permission from his parents for a “big” tournament on the Sunday. He caddied for a visiting leftie whose bag was not popular with the regular caddies. Caddie master gave Abe the bag because his brother was in same 4ball, the said player turned out to be a bit of a "pro" paying Abe a whopping £10 which was a load of money at the time. |
He subsequently caddied for 10 past club champions. The golfers he has coached are just too many to mention. His 1st full set of clubs was donated at age 60, a birthday gift from me. He caddied and tutored me for 10 years.
Abe represented Somerset West club in the Boland & Western Province league, has won the seniors 4 times, won the caddie tournament 4 times (one of those with clubs borrowed from a lady member!).
Abe is still caddying when not playing, he has been a “scratch” handicap and is now playing off a 7 and still competing in the League team for Somerset West Golf Club. Well you know, he does turn 71 next month.
In the “old” days we used to play below the railway line in the late afternoons, to avoid being caught by the Club manager. Of course there was the Garden Village vs Moretti brothers and friends soccer game on the 9th fairway of the old course every Sunday afternoon.
Today many members engage him for his painting skills. His career started at De Jongh’s timber yard, then on to Gant’s for a while before joining Peter Painters, retiring 30 years later. He will never retire from golf and the course.
He has 2 grand and 4 great grandchildren. There is so much more to tell about this true gentleman and camaraderie I have known for 55 years, we need plenty more time.
Salute to a great golfer, club man and nice guy.
Cheers,
Johnny Moretti
To the right Abe receives his certificate from our Captain Craig Mackenzie giving him full membership and unlimited golf at our Club. It could not have happened to a nicer fellow! The nicest was to see the reaction of the members, they all stood up and cheered and saluted the man. | |  |
 | | It was a sad day on the 16th of December not being able to play on the new course, but it was not a bad day! It was meant to be - there was not one member who did not understand and furthermore the wind was pumping on that day. It would have been a disaster for our wet holes, spotters, marshals and players.
Instead, we had a delicious 9x2 at the top, supported by 112 players morning and afternoon. It was a huge success, each one receiving a lekker Stellenbrau beer, a scrumptious boerewors and there were prizes down to 10th spot!
A huge thank you to all the morning players that came back for prize giving and the afternoon players staying. All the prize winners were present! It was such a pleasure seeing everyone attending and having a fun evening – baie dankie!
Here are Elaine Proctor and Denise Codrington receiving their first prizes from our cappie Craig. They scored a solid 48 points in the wind – well done!
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Matkovich gave us the pleasure of playing the new 10th hole from last Saturday. I must say, we have only had compliments about the look and surface of this new green, everyone can’t wait to see the rest.
Below, myself and Sabine from Matkovich are about to put in the flag for the first time on the 10th hole. Well may she play!
We had a whopper last Friday – 70 players battled it out for the 9 hole crown, once again it was a beauty. Thanks to all of you that support this great event!
To the right we have Jan Wams giving Phillipe Coetzee his lovely winning bottle of Bains and a cap, supported by Johan Rademeyer.
Please remember that there will be NO Sundowner on Friday the 22nd and the 29th December. Our next Sundowner will be Friday 5th January 2018.
Biae dankie! | | 900.jpg) |
Due to the Xmas period there will be NO whisky or lucky draw on the 22nd and 29th December. Next one will be Friday 5th January 2018.
Thank you for all your support throughout the year, without you we would not have this Friday gees. A huge thanks to Abe Smith for doing the draw every Friday without fail – jy is n yster my maat! Thanks also to the kitchen for the lekker snacks that they provided – keeping the tummy’s full.
 | | On Saturday we had our annual raffle draw that raised R30 000,00 for the extension of our path way between old 9th and 1st.
It’s thanks to Stephen Els who managed to sell 90% of all the tickets within a month. Baie knap gedaan ou kerel – you are a star.
There were 2 prizes to be won:
Second prize was full membership at Somerset West Golf Club for 2018. The winner was Kevin Braun who was not here unfortunately – I phoned him later that evening and he was ecstatic – should have taped the conversation – well done.
First prize was full membership and unlimited golf for 2018 at Somerset West Golf Club. The winner was our very own President - Mike Rose.
Photo l.t.r:
Stephen Els , Mike Rose and Craig Mackenzie |
It is so nice to see all our overseas members back home again – welcome! We hope you are going to enjoy our 9x2 as much as we have. Shortly though we will be playing the new course – something we have all been waiting for.
Just a small reminder: Remember that you must please play off your lowest handicap. If your overseas handicap is lower than your South African handicap, you must play off that one.
4 Ball Alliance 13th December 2017
1st Prize
Stephen Els, 99Pts
Johan Nel
Claudia Nel
Reg Barichievy
2nd Prize
Patrick Hofmeyr, 97Pts
Cari Rose-Innes
Steve Biggs
Rob Chowles
3rd Prize
Debbie Kim, 97Pts
Joshua Kim
John Gagiano
Captain’s score
| | 4BB Stableford 16th December 2017
1st Prize
Elaine Proctor, 48pts
Denise Cochrane
2nd Prize
Martin Ellenberger, 48Pts
Lloyd Blanckensee
3rd Prize:
Manie De Klerk, 48Pts
Stephen De, Stadler
4th Prize:
Stuart Brown, 48Pts
Kevin v.d. Spuy
5th Prize:
Steve Booth, 48Pts
Constant Marais | |
6th Prize:
Johan Smith, 47Pts
Gordon van Rooyen
7th Prize:
Alf Downing, 46Pts
Dawn Douglas
8th Prize:
Chris Snape, 46Pts
Andy Lindsay
9th Prize:
Greg Delponte, 45pts
Abby Melvin
10th Prize:
Donovan Kok, 45Pts
Danie KoK |
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