“The sold-out dinner at the Hyatt Regency was even more spectacular, with the involvement of our golfing legends: Nick Price, David Leadbetter, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, the Henning family, John Bland, Sally Little, Dale Hayes, Mark McNulty, Denis Hutchinson and David Frost amongst many. Dale Hayes as MC, assisted by Dan Nicholl, set the tone for a very funny evening – of course Tiger was the butt of the jokes, and we heard all kind of stories from Nick, Ernie, Mark, Retief, Sally, Hutch, Dale, and the other inductees.
“What made the speeches particularly entertaining was hearing these famous people talk about themselves. We heard how they all started playing the game, how Ernie and Retief had always been rivals from school days, in the army and on tour, we heard from Johann Rupert why he thinks Ernie Els will ‘be back’, why Denis Hutchinson and Dale Hayes love and hate each other, how the Americans banned Bobby Locke because he was too good, and Allan Henning finally told the true story of why his brother Harold was named 'Horse'! It was more than a history lesson – it was an intimate glimpse into the lives of people who have shaped the game of golf in this country in significant ways.
“Equally interesting was Sunshine Tour veteran Vincent Tshabalala introducing Papwa Sewgolum and explaining the hardships experienced by golfers of colour during the Apartheid era – and how he partnered Gary Player in matches against Papwa Sewgolum and Ismail Chowglay. Gary, unfortunately, couldn’t attend, but sent a letter which was read out - accepting his nomination and stating his wish to be personally inducted this month.”
In celebration of the grand opening, Compleat Golfer has brought out a free online magazine, or digizine, which The Mole highly recommends. It's pretty much the history of SA golf rolled into one magazine. To read the digizine click here
INDUCTEES:
Founding Fathers: Gen. Henry Torrens
Administrators: Arthur Godbold
Media: RG Fall, Denis Hutchinson and Dale Hayes
Professional Golf: Sid Brews, Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Harold Henning, Sally, Little, Ernie Els, Nick Price, Retief Goosen, Papwa Sewgolum, Mark McNulty and David Frost
Golf Industry: Bob Grimsdell and David Leadbetter
Amateur Golf: Jimmy Prentice, Douglas Proudfoot and Reg Taylor
Women’s Golf: Rita Easton
Benefactors: Johann Rupert
