Getting in the swing of things in Bitou

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Charity begins at home, the saying goes, and Bitou Mayor Dave Swart proved that on Friday 2 June with his annual fun golf day at Plettenberg Bay Country Club.

Swart's initiative, supported by lead sponsor Raw Africa Boutique Collection and a number of Plett businesses and organisations, grossed close to R100 000.

All the profit made from the day, expected to be above R80 000, will go into Swart's Mayoral Fund to be used for deserving charity causes in Bitou.

Fifty-eight golfers took to the fairways of Plettenberg Bay Country Club and Swart quipped that it was the largest number of 'hackers' he'd seen in one go, "but it was all in aid of charity".

Last year one of the deserving recipients of the fund, Percy van Rooyen of Ebenezer, saw the construction of a wheelchair-friendly ramp following a request from the Elderly and Disability Forum, with which the mayor's office has a close working relationship.

Another was to buy stationery and school shoes for disadvantaged pupils as part of Swart's Back to School programme. Friday saw many smiles and held a few challenges for those participating.

The team from Robberg Fine Foods: Peter Lello, Robert Boomker, Dennis Jonkerman and Wayne Craig.

Some of the fun competitions along the way included:

How far can you drive a marshmallow?
Can you chip a cork into a cup?
Throwing hoops over a plastic stick.

"These types of events play a crucial role in fostering community spirit, collaboration, and promoting responsible tourism practices," said Paul Duverge, managing director of Raw Africa Boutique Collection.

As the weather set in while the last four-ball completed its round, spectators could have been forgiven for thinking they were at St Andrews in Scotland.

The mist created an eerie atmosphere reminiscent of the "home of golf". The final hole on Friday belonged to Swart, though, when he putted, being closely watched by three Egyptian geese. Quipped one of the spectators from the gallery, "Mr Mayor, that's the closest you are going to get to a birdie today!"

The winning team of the day, who scored 109 points, with the mayor. From left: Ruan Gerber, Cobus Havenga, Mayor Dave Swart, Simon Mottershead and Gina Woolley. Photos: Chris van Gass