PLETTENBERG BAY NEW - The pros have the Race to Dubai.
Now, local amateurs have the Race to Plettenberg Bay!
Goose Valley Golf Club is set to start the inaugural Race to Plettenberg Bay, a golf competition for amateurs that will mirror the famous Race to Dubai challenge.
Club captain Simon Mottershead says the competition, to run during the season, from April until the end of November, will be known as the Goose Valley Cup.
"After taking part in the Windhoek pairs competition in 2023, winning our way through to Portugal for the world finals and managing to secure a world title with my now fiancée, Gina Woolley, I thought we amateur golfers need something to get the juices flowing on a more regular basis," said Mottershead. "This is where the inspiration for the competition came from."
The competition will be open to all amateur golfers in the Garden Route and will be run on a league points system. "Looking at the calendar, there should be provision for about 20 to 25 events to be held throughout the eight-month season."
The competition will be held every available Sunday and is open from the first tee-off, usually about 13:30 to 14:00, until the last tee time by which a scorecard can still be handed in at the Pro Shop before it closes at 17:00.
You may enter as a two-ball, three-ball or four-ball, as long as there is someone to mark your card. Only players with official HNA handicaps will be allowed to take part.
The competition format will be individual Stableford, and points will be awarded: from 20 points for first place to one point for 20th place.
Throughout the season, a leader board will be posted, and a player's top 15 results will be used to calculate finishing positions. This will limit the penalty for missing some of the events.
At the end of the season, the top eight players will go into the final round of play-offs, which will be held at the beginning of December, for a chance to win the coveted Goose Valley Cup, and over R10 000 worth of prize money for the top three.
"We have obtained local sponsorship from Buco Plett and Slops Restaurant for the main event, and closest-to-the-pin prizes respectively on each competition day," said Mottershead.
The entry fee will be R50 per player, on top of the usual green fees.
A prize pool for the day will be generated from all the players' entry fees on the day. Winners will be notified via social media (there will not be a prize-giving), and any winnings can be collected at the Pro Shop at Goose Valley.
Anyone interested should contact the Goose Valley Pro Shop on 044 533 5082, or visit the Goose Valley Golf Club's Facebook page for more information and bookings.
