The Ned Bel Golf Challenge, a three-day tournament organised by Ypie Kingma, offers swallows (visitors from abroad who enjoy six months of summer here before returning to enjoy the Northern hemisphere's warmer months) the opportunity to contribute toward the welfare of their adopted communities.
With only two 'Belgian' teams entering the challenge the odds were heavily stacked against them, as the overwhelming ’Dutch’ contingent comprised of ten two-ball teams. braving the, initially, typical Dutch weather. Fortunately the rain stopped within half an hour after the planned tee-off time. This delay gave Belgian, Remi de Backer from Plettenberg Bay the chance to introduce Born in Africa to the crowd. Born in Africa is a non-profit organisation based in Plettenberg Bay, offering support with schooling, funding and general life skills to dozens of local families.
"Playing Simola worked out to be a challenge in itself, which had nothing to do with the course, which is in excellent condition, but rather with the abilities of the golfers and their chirps which worked on the concentration and nerves," explained and amused Ypie Kingma, Ned Bel Golf Challenge organiser.
The first place went to Belgian Stef Mulder and Gino Adriansen on 38 points, who walked away with a prize sponsored by the Simola Golf Course. Runners-up were Dutch Frans and Ellen van den Bor, who were happy to win their prize sponsored by Stormsriver Adventures. Third place, sponsored by Featherbed Company, went to the Norwegian/Dutch combination of Thoralf Nordbotten and Erik Ekkelkamp, playing for the Belgian side, on 31 points. The fourth prize, sponsored by Kingswood Golf Estate and White Light Therapies, went to Gerhard and Ria Agterberg.
The weighted average of the four winning 4-balls placed the ‘Belgians’, with 34.5 points, in the enviable position of being ahead of the ’Dutch’, who are only lagging behind slightly at 30 points.
The next round of the Ned Bel Golf Challenge will be played at Goose Valley on December 9 and is open to all local swallows and visiting Dutch and Belgians. For more information contact Ypie Kingma on 082 771 1859 or nedbelgolfchallenge@platinumgolf.co.za.
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The group of ‘Belgian’ and ‘Dutch’ golfers, ready for the inaugural Ned Bel Golf Challenge played at Simola Golf Course on November 16. (Photo: Elle Photography)
