Good morning, good morning,
Well was it hot over the week-end or what? The most energetic thing I did the whole of Saturday was move from the bedroom to the lounge so I could sleep in a cooler place.
I am not sure who saw the Six Nations over the week-end, but I thought England were pathetic, the only two teams over the week-end who looked like that wanted to play were Ireland and France, now that was a great game.
Fortunately Saturday was a day of rest and it was only Sunday which had activities planned and at least it was a little cooler. So Sunday it was time to tackle Royal again, Big Bad Brad, myself, Will and John were out to tame the beast.
It was a perfect, no wait, PERFECT day! Not to hot, no real wind to speak of, the air was nice and hot so the ball was flying for miles, which messed with your club selection for a bit but once you got use to that, it was all good!
Brad was his normal timid self, and only really got into it from the 1st tee off onwards, OMG that boy can crunch a ball, he should carry driver, pitching wedge and a putter, all the other clubs are not required. It would free up a lot of space in his bag for beers, just a thought.
Anyway the game was a close fought affair, with Swop- it seeing the light of day for the first time in quite sometime. We played Swop- it, a R5 a chip and R20 on the game, match play. It was only settled on the 17th hole, Brad and I loss 2 and 1.
Will and John by the way are now formally labeled as “Ringers” playing off an 18 and 12 respectfully! With respect they will not be doing that again!
The course was still in great nik, some of the fairways look like they have been burnt by the hash African sun in the last few weeks. Having said that, the greens are perfect and a real pleasure to play on.
Socres:
Tiger: 88
Kempie: 85
Will: 93
John: 82
Other games that took place this week-end, I know Rory and Jay were out at Langebaan, where I hear the weather was hot and the golf, not so much. The important thing is you had fun lads, and I am sure that anyone playing in that heat on Saturday would have battled. But I did hear little Rory was smashing his drivers like a seasoned pro, you go boy!
I know Stof was playing in the Sunday School Champs on Sunday, I have not heard how that went, but it would have been a lovely day at The Beach, so I am expecting great things from the little man.
Next week-end should be a ripper, I will however not be out and about, I have “family duties” to attend to. So if you do play let me know about it and you might to find your name on the World Wide Web.
So until next time, remember the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, so take the gamble it might pay off, then again it might not!
Take care and keep swinging,
Kempie
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Man it is tough living in Africa!
Well well, January is almost gone and February is apone us, scary! So if you are yet to play your first round of the year, you had better wise up quick.
What can we say about the Proteas that has not already been said? They should be given the freedom of Sydney in my books. Now it is not that I hate the Aussies (but I do), it is just that I love beating them. It is not often you get to shut Ricky and his boys up, but to do it on their home soil, it is the thing of dreams!
But enough about that, a good question was asked of my on Friday;
Chris: “Kempie, when are we having another golf day? I mean I still have the hazard vest from the last one.”
Kempie: “Good question Chris, I must arrange one soon.”
So please guys, watch this space for details, it will be coming soon once we are all back into the swing of things.
Now onto the golf, I was very excited to be invited Westlake on Friday, and after Royal on Sunday the week before I was looking forward to great things. Unfortunately I can’t say any of us were impressed. Now I don’t know what Westlake normally costs for a round and fortunately I was not paying on Friday, but R225 for a round and the course has three temporary greens, THREE! Some of the fairways have less grass on them then my ass does, with great big holes punched out of them. Needless to say I will not be rushing back anytime soon.
However the saving grace has to be the fantastic serves in the bar, man they really make sure you never have an empty glasses, 5 stars there guys.
The scores for the day, well given the environment that we played in I don’t see that the scores reflect much so they will not be listed here.
Sunday was Rory’s and my first time with Swingers, now given the name I personally was hoping for more female golfers, imagine my surprise! The first outing for the year was at Strand, yet another first for me. I have to say I was impressed, I would not say it was a difficult course but a very pretty one, with some very interesting holes. The 2nd with it's green tucked away behind the bushes was very interesting and required some course knowledge and some self control for your second shot. Fortunately George had the former and I found some of the latter, not sure where from.
Rory had a tough day, but he hung in there and between some choice Italian words managed to finish the round, a few balls lighter but still in good spirits. Serle, well Serle gave new meaning to the words, "in the sand". I kid you not when I say he found ay least a bunker on every hole, sometimes two, needless to say his bunker play after the round had improved in a big way. George played a good round of golf, and could really hit a booming 3 wood when he got hold of it.
Unfortunately we did not bother the prize givers but at least we did not come last play, that honor was bestowed onto J and Chris’s team on 90 points, we came in on 91!
So it was a busy week-end of golf, I also know Brad was out at Royal and shot a very impressive 79, which is his best round in a while. He called and told me all about it and all I ended up hearing was “Birdie, birdie, birdie, lipped out eagle, birdie.” I was glad I was not playing with him as I think I might have hurt him, but well done mate!
So what is ahead this week-end well, I am playing Parow on Friday afternoon with The Stof and that is it. I Will be resting the sticks for the week-end, for the first time in a very long time.
So all that is left for me to say is, have fun where ever you play and remember no matter how bad your playing, you can always play worse, so don’t give up!
Ciao
Kempie
What can we say about the Proteas that has not already been said? They should be given the freedom of Sydney in my books. Now it is not that I hate the Aussies (but I do), it is just that I love beating them. It is not often you get to shut Ricky and his boys up, but to do it on their home soil, it is the thing of dreams!
But enough about that, a good question was asked of my on Friday;
Chris: “Kempie, when are we having another golf day? I mean I still have the hazard vest from the last one.”
Kempie: “Good question Chris, I must arrange one soon.”
So please guys, watch this space for details, it will be coming soon once we are all back into the swing of things.
Now onto the golf, I was very excited to be invited Westlake on Friday, and after Royal on Sunday the week before I was looking forward to great things. Unfortunately I can’t say any of us were impressed. Now I don’t know what Westlake normally costs for a round and fortunately I was not paying on Friday, but R225 for a round and the course has three temporary greens, THREE! Some of the fairways have less grass on them then my ass does, with great big holes punched out of them. Needless to say I will not be rushing back anytime soon.
However the saving grace has to be the fantastic serves in the bar, man they really make sure you never have an empty glasses, 5 stars there guys.
The scores for the day, well given the environment that we played in I don’t see that the scores reflect much so they will not be listed here.
Sunday was Rory’s and my first time with Swingers, now given the name I personally was hoping for more female golfers, imagine my surprise! The first outing for the year was at Strand, yet another first for me. I have to say I was impressed, I would not say it was a difficult course but a very pretty one, with some very interesting holes. The 2nd with it's green tucked away behind the bushes was very interesting and required some course knowledge and some self control for your second shot. Fortunately George had the former and I found some of the latter, not sure where from.
Rory had a tough day, but he hung in there and between some choice Italian words managed to finish the round, a few balls lighter but still in good spirits. Serle, well Serle gave new meaning to the words, "in the sand". I kid you not when I say he found ay least a bunker on every hole, sometimes two, needless to say his bunker play after the round had improved in a big way. George played a good round of golf, and could really hit a booming 3 wood when he got hold of it.
Unfortunately we did not bother the prize givers but at least we did not come last play, that honor was bestowed onto J and Chris’s team on 90 points, we came in on 91!
So it was a busy week-end of golf, I also know Brad was out at Royal and shot a very impressive 79, which is his best round in a while. He called and told me all about it and all I ended up hearing was “Birdie, birdie, birdie, lipped out eagle, birdie.” I was glad I was not playing with him as I think I might have hurt him, but well done mate!
So what is ahead this week-end well, I am playing Parow on Friday afternoon with The Stof and that is it. I Will be resting the sticks for the week-end, for the first time in a very long time.
So all that is left for me to say is, have fun where ever you play and remember no matter how bad your playing, you can always play worse, so don’t give up!
Ciao
Kempie
Monday, January 19, 2009
Royale with Cheese.
Morning hackers,
So it appears I may be growing up. It appears I may be learning self control, to a point. And it appears a make a rather hot looking Bond girl, but I digress again.
I honestly did not think I would get to play golf this week-end, I had a 30th on Saturday night, which I must be honest I expected to get hammered at, and I did, but I knew when to stop, which was just before I left to go home.
Anyway let us get back to what this is really all about, GOLF! I was lucky enough to crack the nod to grace the fairways of the Royal Cape Golf Club, it was a first for me and I was really looking forward to it. I got to play with the two original people who stoked my excitement to play this wonderful game, namely Tiger and Hitler, the fourth was Rory.
It was an early start bearing in mind I live in Durbanville and got home at 2am, to be in Ottery for an 8:30 tee off, but I made it! Now I had heard a lot about this little club from some “old” golfers about the pomp and ceremony that goes along with a round at Royale with cheese, and I have to say it lived up to its name, however not as pompous as I had thought they would be. I think that the club spends more on signage then any other club in the Western Cape, there are flipping signs everywhere. You really have to keep your eyes open, it is like coming to a four way stop in peak hour traffic outside Bombay airport, miss a sign you could be in serious trouble!
Anyway, we got away a little ahead of schedule and Hitler and I were paired up, great team, GREAT!! The wind was a little unfriendly on some of the holes, but hey it is the Cape in January what do you expect!
The front nine was very kind to Hitler and myself, I even pick up two birdies, one on the stroke 1, nogal! We went in at the half way 1 hole up and nine to play. I am not sure what Rory and Tiger had at half way but it sure as hell kicked in quick! From 5- 4 up we were 8 apiece with 2 holes to play. I think the turning point was Tiger’s driver, it was on fire. Just to give you an idea, the 18th is a par 4, his drive was about 10m short of the green. The four ball in front of us got the fright of their life his ball rolled its way up the fairway and came to rest almost on top of them.
The shot of the day has to without a doubt once again go to Tiger, he chipped in from, wait for it, 134m out, that is correct 134m! To bad he was out the hole and the eagle did not count. Hitler and I got a good chuckle out of that one.
Rory’s short iron play was top notch, I know a few single figure golfers that wish they could chip like he does. He was just a bit unlucky with some of the lies he found himself in which cost him a few strokes.
Hitler, well Hitler lived up to the name and found a lot of sand, however his recovers were right on the money.
I was testing a new putter which did not agree with me at all, so it will be going back to the Pro-Shop within the week.
Scores:
Tiger: 85
Rory: 98
Hilter:94
Kempie: 89
Tiger and Rory won it 10 to 8.
I must say all in all I was very very impressed with Royal, I thoroughly enjoyed my day and the golf was fantastic. The fairways were out of this world, I did expect the greens to be a little quicker, but they were very consistent over all 18 holes and I guess that is the more important. The contours in the greens make each one a challenge, there are no straight putts on any of them. If you have not had the chance to play Royal and you get given it, grab it with both hands it is well worth it!
So ends another fantastic week-end of dinners, parties, golf and mates, man it is hell living in Africa! Have a great week, don’t work to hard and remember, just because you have an expensive putter, that does not mean you are going to putt any better, sometimes the problem is between the grip and your own shoes.
Ciao,
Kempie
So it appears I may be growing up. It appears I may be learning self control, to a point. And it appears a make a rather hot looking Bond girl, but I digress again.
I honestly did not think I would get to play golf this week-end, I had a 30th on Saturday night, which I must be honest I expected to get hammered at, and I did, but I knew when to stop, which was just before I left to go home.
Anyway let us get back to what this is really all about, GOLF! I was lucky enough to crack the nod to grace the fairways of the Royal Cape Golf Club, it was a first for me and I was really looking forward to it. I got to play with the two original people who stoked my excitement to play this wonderful game, namely Tiger and Hitler, the fourth was Rory.
It was an early start bearing in mind I live in Durbanville and got home at 2am, to be in Ottery for an 8:30 tee off, but I made it! Now I had heard a lot about this little club from some “old” golfers about the pomp and ceremony that goes along with a round at Royale with cheese, and I have to say it lived up to its name, however not as pompous as I had thought they would be. I think that the club spends more on signage then any other club in the Western Cape, there are flipping signs everywhere. You really have to keep your eyes open, it is like coming to a four way stop in peak hour traffic outside Bombay airport, miss a sign you could be in serious trouble!
Anyway, we got away a little ahead of schedule and Hitler and I were paired up, great team, GREAT!! The wind was a little unfriendly on some of the holes, but hey it is the Cape in January what do you expect!
The front nine was very kind to Hitler and myself, I even pick up two birdies, one on the stroke 1, nogal! We went in at the half way 1 hole up and nine to play. I am not sure what Rory and Tiger had at half way but it sure as hell kicked in quick! From 5- 4 up we were 8 apiece with 2 holes to play. I think the turning point was Tiger’s driver, it was on fire. Just to give you an idea, the 18th is a par 4, his drive was about 10m short of the green. The four ball in front of us got the fright of their life his ball rolled its way up the fairway and came to rest almost on top of them.
The shot of the day has to without a doubt once again go to Tiger, he chipped in from, wait for it, 134m out, that is correct 134m! To bad he was out the hole and the eagle did not count. Hitler and I got a good chuckle out of that one.
Rory’s short iron play was top notch, I know a few single figure golfers that wish they could chip like he does. He was just a bit unlucky with some of the lies he found himself in which cost him a few strokes.
Hitler, well Hitler lived up to the name and found a lot of sand, however his recovers were right on the money.
I was testing a new putter which did not agree with me at all, so it will be going back to the Pro-Shop within the week.
Scores:
Tiger: 85
Rory: 98
Hilter:94
Kempie: 89
Tiger and Rory won it 10 to 8.
I must say all in all I was very very impressed with Royal, I thoroughly enjoyed my day and the golf was fantastic. The fairways were out of this world, I did expect the greens to be a little quicker, but they were very consistent over all 18 holes and I guess that is the more important. The contours in the greens make each one a challenge, there are no straight putts on any of them. If you have not had the chance to play Royal and you get given it, grab it with both hands it is well worth it!
So ends another fantastic week-end of dinners, parties, golf and mates, man it is hell living in Africa! Have a great week, don’t work to hard and remember, just because you have an expensive putter, that does not mean you are going to putt any better, sometimes the problem is between the grip and your own shoes.
Ciao,
Kempie
Friday, January 16, 2009
I am loving this year so far!
Morning all,
OK OK it is a few days late, but it has been a busy week.
So after promising my body that it would be well looked after this year, it was with great disappointment that it awoke with yet another hangover on Sunday morning. It is amazing how plonked you can get on R800 of shooters and beer in the sun… haa haa. On that note I must say sorry to anyone who was using the N1 on Saturday afternoon at about 17:00 between Durbanville and Rosebank. Thanks to Big Bad Brad and a R800 bar tab I did indeed drive his 320 d like a pose! But man you just can’t help yourself, there were middle fingers been thrown all over the place and I am sure people thought less of BMW drivers once we were done, if that is possible.
But I digress!
So Sunday was a sparrows tee off at Durbanville, I thought I was up early, but my dear mate, who normally rocks up 10 mins before tee off was there more then an hour before, well done Stof and I hope this is something that will continue in 2009?
So armed with a coke and willingness to train the course Sharpie, Brad, Stof and I set off. There is always good banter when Stof is in the house, but add Sharpie to the mix and you can’t help but giggle yourself silly for 18 holes. Well true to form it started before we even got to the first box. Once on the box it was time to get serious, unfortunately no one told my swing. Stof and Sharpie had played, and in an attempt to show some course management for the first time in his life, Brad took out his 3 wood, and topped it just pass the ladies box. With howls of laughter going on I stepped up to save the team. It was pointed out a number of times that there was no pressure, I thought “I eat pressure for breakfast.” Well on Sunday it appears I did not have breakfast, I drew… yes drew the ball (I never draw the ball!). I drew the ball over the bank on the left hand side and well into the OB. Well that was all that was needed, the laughter intensified to such a point that the four ball behind us was even getting in on the act.
So with the tone set off we went, I have to say it was a most enjoyable day. I am not sure who had borrowed Stof’s body for the day but whoever it was could actually play golf, the infamous “Stof Fade” that we have all come to know and love was no where to be seen, he was straight and long the how day, (and his drivers were not back either!) Needless to say when Sharpie landed on the par 5, 5th green for two, Brad and I knew we had a game on our hands, (for the record he left his eagle putt short!) After 6 holes we were down 6 skins, not the way you want to start. We kept ourselves in the game by halving holes, and picking up one skin on the 9th. This trend continued until the par 4, 14th, were with a knee knocking short putt Kempie managed to pick up 6 skins! So with 3 holes to play we were up by one.
The last three holes did not go to plan. Brad’s attempt at the 18th had me on my knees with tears rolling down my face. He played his drive a little left, ending on the hill which forms part of the driving range. He bounced his club on the second and over shot the green by about 20m or so. His third was teethed across the green stopping only because it hit the sand in the bunker. It must be said he ended with a bogie, but it was the way he went about the hole that has us all wondering.
Final results:
Sharpie: 85 (I think)
Stof: 92
9 skins
Brad: 86
Kempie: 86
7 skins
Yes I know that is only 16 but the last was a carry over and it was to hot to have a putt off.
I learnt two thinks on Sunday:
Stof has learnt to play golf, so if you are playing him anytime soon, bring you’re a game.
Sharpie claims a 17/ 13 handicap, but he is more like a 13/ 10, so don’t let him fool you with that goofy grin.
All in all it was a fantastic day, Durbanville course is in great nick, and well worth the R175 green fees. SO for those that have not played this year yet, you had better get cracking, this great weather is not going to be around for ever you know. And remember the problem is not always in the swing, sometimes it is actually the clubs foul!
Ciao
Kempie
OK OK it is a few days late, but it has been a busy week.
So after promising my body that it would be well looked after this year, it was with great disappointment that it awoke with yet another hangover on Sunday morning. It is amazing how plonked you can get on R800 of shooters and beer in the sun… haa haa. On that note I must say sorry to anyone who was using the N1 on Saturday afternoon at about 17:00 between Durbanville and Rosebank. Thanks to Big Bad Brad and a R800 bar tab I did indeed drive his 320 d like a pose! But man you just can’t help yourself, there were middle fingers been thrown all over the place and I am sure people thought less of BMW drivers once we were done, if that is possible.
But I digress!
So Sunday was a sparrows tee off at Durbanville, I thought I was up early, but my dear mate, who normally rocks up 10 mins before tee off was there more then an hour before, well done Stof and I hope this is something that will continue in 2009?
So armed with a coke and willingness to train the course Sharpie, Brad, Stof and I set off. There is always good banter when Stof is in the house, but add Sharpie to the mix and you can’t help but giggle yourself silly for 18 holes. Well true to form it started before we even got to the first box. Once on the box it was time to get serious, unfortunately no one told my swing. Stof and Sharpie had played, and in an attempt to show some course management for the first time in his life, Brad took out his 3 wood, and topped it just pass the ladies box. With howls of laughter going on I stepped up to save the team. It was pointed out a number of times that there was no pressure, I thought “I eat pressure for breakfast.” Well on Sunday it appears I did not have breakfast, I drew… yes drew the ball (I never draw the ball!). I drew the ball over the bank on the left hand side and well into the OB. Well that was all that was needed, the laughter intensified to such a point that the four ball behind us was even getting in on the act.
So with the tone set off we went, I have to say it was a most enjoyable day. I am not sure who had borrowed Stof’s body for the day but whoever it was could actually play golf, the infamous “Stof Fade” that we have all come to know and love was no where to be seen, he was straight and long the how day, (and his drivers were not back either!) Needless to say when Sharpie landed on the par 5, 5th green for two, Brad and I knew we had a game on our hands, (for the record he left his eagle putt short!) After 6 holes we were down 6 skins, not the way you want to start. We kept ourselves in the game by halving holes, and picking up one skin on the 9th. This trend continued until the par 4, 14th, were with a knee knocking short putt Kempie managed to pick up 6 skins! So with 3 holes to play we were up by one.
The last three holes did not go to plan. Brad’s attempt at the 18th had me on my knees with tears rolling down my face. He played his drive a little left, ending on the hill which forms part of the driving range. He bounced his club on the second and over shot the green by about 20m or so. His third was teethed across the green stopping only because it hit the sand in the bunker. It must be said he ended with a bogie, but it was the way he went about the hole that has us all wondering.
Final results:
Sharpie: 85 (I think)
Stof: 92
9 skins
Brad: 86
Kempie: 86
7 skins
Yes I know that is only 16 but the last was a carry over and it was to hot to have a putt off.
I learnt two thinks on Sunday:
Stof has learnt to play golf, so if you are playing him anytime soon, bring you’re a game.
Sharpie claims a 17/ 13 handicap, but he is more like a 13/ 10, so don’t let him fool you with that goofy grin.
All in all it was a fantastic day, Durbanville course is in great nick, and well worth the R175 green fees. SO for those that have not played this year yet, you had better get cracking, this great weather is not going to be around for ever you know. And remember the problem is not always in the swing, sometimes it is actually the clubs foul!
Ciao
Kempie
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Hello 2009!
Well welcome back and here is to a great 2009.
I trust you all over ate and over drank so now you have a lot to be sorry about.
It has been a cracker of a year so far, I have managed to squeeze in a round or two here or there can’t really remember the details but the important thing is I had fun. Even managed to win the new TaylorMade MTX Staff bay, very nice, but very big!
The big news of the day is, I was given the heads up last night, this is the year that Tiger goes down. That is right Tiger (a.k.a Bradely Brown) was beaten yesterday by Hitler (a.k.a Terry Faul). I was informed by Tigger himself that Terry out shot him 91 to 94. So if you are looking to skin a cat this could be the year for it, I have always wanted a Tiger skin rug!
I am not sure how many of you got a gap to go watch any of the SA Open. I was lucky enough to go with Rory (a.k.a Grant Kemp) on the Saturday to watch. Man what an experience. You watch these guys on TV and they look good, but to actually see it live is quite another thing. However I must be honest it was reassuring to see Trevor put his second into the green side bunker on the 2nd, made him look human, however the recover shot he played made me once again relies that these guys play at a different level to us mere mortals.
Was it hot? Iit felt like I had Satan sitting on my shoulder all day, I think he was looking for some shade! But it was all in all a fantastic day, and I for one will definitely be going next year.
So what is on the horizon for this year, well I am playing Saturday at Paarl with a group that contacted me to join their 4 ball, so why not, then Sunday is Durbanville with Stof, Tiger and myself, so if you are looking for a game give me a shout there is a spot open, 7:49 tee off. I am also, along with Rory, joining a group Jay plays with, Swingers, and yes I hope they live up to their name! Other then that I am sure it is going to be a great year.
I hope to see you all out and about ASAP, dust off the clubs and get cracking, cos before you know it, it will be winter and we will be bitching about the rain!
Ciao
Kempie
I trust you all over ate and over drank so now you have a lot to be sorry about.
It has been a cracker of a year so far, I have managed to squeeze in a round or two here or there can’t really remember the details but the important thing is I had fun. Even managed to win the new TaylorMade MTX Staff bay, very nice, but very big!
The big news of the day is, I was given the heads up last night, this is the year that Tiger goes down. That is right Tiger (a.k.a Bradely Brown) was beaten yesterday by Hitler (a.k.a Terry Faul). I was informed by Tigger himself that Terry out shot him 91 to 94. So if you are looking to skin a cat this could be the year for it, I have always wanted a Tiger skin rug!
I am not sure how many of you got a gap to go watch any of the SA Open. I was lucky enough to go with Rory (a.k.a Grant Kemp) on the Saturday to watch. Man what an experience. You watch these guys on TV and they look good, but to actually see it live is quite another thing. However I must be honest it was reassuring to see Trevor put his second into the green side bunker on the 2nd, made him look human, however the recover shot he played made me once again relies that these guys play at a different level to us mere mortals.
Was it hot? Iit felt like I had Satan sitting on my shoulder all day, I think he was looking for some shade! But it was all in all a fantastic day, and I for one will definitely be going next year.
So what is on the horizon for this year, well I am playing Saturday at Paarl with a group that contacted me to join their 4 ball, so why not, then Sunday is Durbanville with Stof, Tiger and myself, so if you are looking for a game give me a shout there is a spot open, 7:49 tee off. I am also, along with Rory, joining a group Jay plays with, Swingers, and yes I hope they live up to their name! Other then that I am sure it is going to be a great year.
I hope to see you all out and about ASAP, dust off the clubs and get cracking, cos before you know it, it will be winter and we will be bitching about the rain!
Ciao
Kempie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
