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The Umdloti "North Beach Vs South Beach " Road Golf Challenge

The Umdloti "North Beach Vs South Beach " Road Golf Challenge

Date: 2015-06-05
This Monumental challenge in the History of Umdloti strangely emanated from the Northees" some 3 weeks ago when the unusual site of golf spikes was spotted in the Tasca Pizza amongst the hard core South surfing fraternity who had crossed the North/South divide to feed themselves and their young (a more and more regular sight now that the GRAZE" has become so much better in the North. Inhabitants in Umdloti everywhere will tell you that there are no Golf Looking" Northees, so the obvious question on that night was to quizzically ask Golf? (or fancy dress in their minds probably). The response with a certain SPIRIT LEVEL calculation by myself, a non-Golf looking-keen surfer rather looking inhabitant of the North, was to issue a very obvious challenge you and your fourball anytime to which the 3 Southees replied three weeks time and gave the date of Friday 29th May 2015.

I reported the reply and my courageous challenge to 2 of my North Mates (chuckle, chuckle borrow clubs murmur of course absolutely. Win Victory WAR!!!!

So after much taunting, admittedly from the North only to a quiet and reserved South, two fourballs met at Simbithi Golf course on Thursday 28th May 2015 at 12h45 to contest the first inaugural North vs South Umdloti Golf Challenge. The format was a very fair South practiced format which could have a 4 shot swing on some holes 1) if you understood the technical implication, and 2) if you possessed the Golf talent and skills. Match 1 was contested between Rob Opi and Mark Lewis (South) vs Leonard Staples and Darren Aiken (North), and match 2 was contested between Mark Smith and Struan Campbell (South) vs Pete Huckelsby and Garth Radmore (North). The first 9 was fiercely contested with Match 1 North down by 2 points and match 2 North down by 1 point. However be it course knowledge or rather really admirable really good golf by all four of the Southees - the North got hammered by 14 points. Some of the North will have to mortgage their houses to buy more golf balls for the next challenge.

Refreshments were considered and replaced by ICE COLD BEERS. The 19th hole was on. The North were joined by their Ghost manager Rodney Green, brilliant strategist - best known for his famed strategy - GOLF BY PROXY - If you don't think you can win - replace yourself with someone you think CAN. (also he has a bad back.

The long awaited Trophy ceremony arrived in which the NUS (Good NUS) Golf rat Trophy was sadly freed from the clutches of the North (which was where he was actually made from the clay in the North Beach area - in an artist's house) and handed to the triumphant Southees to much roar and applause (from the 4 Southees). The South awarded the North a consolation prize - a frozen Spar Chicken - at least the North would go home with one birdy on the day.

The 19th hole was moved to the Sandbar in Umdloti's North Beach rd. The Sandbar became this event's first official sponsor with generous portions of copious amounts of starters and delicious food that they have become so very, very popular for as the New local hangout in Umdloti. Together with its cool amazingly relaxed vibe and the local population of revved up Umdloti fans (specifically North's Mari Huckelsby, Esme Green, Maryn Prinsloo and Hugh Reimers) it was difficult to judge whether the North had made up sufficient deficit in points against the die hard South faithfuls at the end of the 19th hole which ended after 10h30pm.

This challenge is open to any golfer good or bad from either side of the circle and instead of it being an annual event, may be the future of how challenges world wide are destined to be resolved - WIth CHARM, GUTS, RESOLVE, COURTESY, FRIENDSHIP, KINDNESS, FRIENDLINESS.. AND A LOT OF BEERS!

The next challenge will be at Umhlali and we are certainly looking forward to taking this challenge to a Night Golf event at Umhlali soon. Look forward to including more 568'ers (Umdloti dialing code) both in the golf and in the 19th hole festivities next time.