Club champs 2013 results & statistics

Dear all,

The CGGU Executive have the pleasure in announcing the following team that will represent the Central Gauteng Golf Union at the upcoming Challenge Inter Provincial Tournament at Maccauvlei Golf Club from the 12th to the 17th May 2013. The team will be:

Andi Dill Royal JK
Calvin Caldeira Krugersdorp
Darin de Smidt Krugersdorp
David Meyers Dainfern
Dean Martin Dainfern
Graeme Vrugtman Randpark (captain)
Jason Viljoen Eye of Africa
Matthew Spacey Wanderers
Reserve: Dylan Naidoo Modderfontein
Manager: Andy Truluck

Congratulations to all the Clubs who are represented and we are sure the players will not only do their best for Central Gauteng but also to fly the flag high for their respective Clubs. Please make the necessary announcements at your prize-giving’s acknowledging these players.

Club Better Ball Competition Survey

Statistics as at 28 January 2013
Winner Comparison

HNA Handicap Update

There appears to be a misconception that the new maximum score of 2 over and 3 over on any hole, depending on handicap, has caused an imbalance in the handicap system.

Handicaps Network Africa would therefore like to update the golfers on the actual statistics on the handicap system.

The essence of a handicap system is that it should allow golfers of differing abilities the opportunity to compete with one another on an equal basis.

So how do we measure how well or badly the SAGA Handicap system is delivering on the above objective?

The only true measure is in the statistics, because it is quite clear that golfer’s perceptions and the reality are very different.

The accepted international standard is to look at how often golfers play to or below their handicaps, and secondly how often do golfers shoot exceptional scores of more than 3 below their handicap.

The statistics for Golfers playing to their handicap are reflected below.

Male

Female

From these stats it is quite clear that golfers play to or below their handicap at a similar percentage of the rounds played, so the system is fair to all golfers and not favouring any handicap group.

The Statistics for exceptional scores of 3 or more shots below handicap are reflected below.

From these statistics it is clear that, as expected, the higher the handicap the slightly easier it becomes to shoot 3 or more below handicap, this is of course due to the number of shots and their percentage of handicap. This statistic is in line with international statistics and the small increase as handicaps increase has not varied significantly with the change in maximum score.

Better Ball Scores

It clearly does not matter how high or low the scores are in a better ball competition, as long as the opportunity is the same for all the players, and the handicap system does not favour the higher or lower handicap. Clearly on a good day with an easy course set up better ball stableford scores will be higher and with a hard course set up scores will be lower.

The only way to correctly determine the trends in the handicaps of winning better ball scores, is from the clubs, because the handicap system has no record of club competitions. HNA did a club survey in June 2012 and asked the clubs to give us the handicaps of the first three scores in the club competitions for the last four months – since the change - and as disclosed this survey showed, from the 50 or so clubs that responded, that there was no bias towards any handicap group since moving to the new maximum score in February. If anything the lower handicaps had a slight advantage. We will continue to ask the clubs to record their better ball winning scores and handicaps so we can continue to confirm the initial statistics.

Better ball winning percentages further action.

The study we did compared the scores over 4 months from 50 or so clubs and then compared this with the national average percentage of players in each handicap group. Clearly it would be more statistically accurate if we compared the winning scores to the handicap percentages of players who actually played on that day. Subject to support from the clubs we will be able to use the scores entered on the system on the competition day, on the system, to get a more accurate statistic.

If we can show that there is a problem with one handicap group winning more than the other, then we can all work out a solution. It is interesting to note that there are no complaints from golfers regarding scores in individual competitions.

How has the new maximum score per hole affected the average handicap and number of players in each handicap group?

As can be seen the handicaps for both men and women have moved out by 0.55 of a stroke. The following table gives the percentage split between the number of golfers in the different handicap groups before the February change and as at October 2012.

Male Female

This table reflects a slight decrease in the percentage of lower handicaps and a slight increase in the percentage of higher handicaps. This however is also slightly skewed by a 2% increase in golfers with handicaps, between the two dates, the majority of which are high handicaps.

Why are some golfers concerned about the higher handicaps being allowed to enter a maximum score of 3 over on any hole but not the lower handicaps able to enter a 2 over on any hole?

The changes introduced in February 2012 were made to bring our handicaps more in line with those internationally.

The low handicaps used to be able to only put in 2 overs on stroke holes, and they can now put in unlimited 2 overs. So for example a 4 handicap can now put in 18 x 2 overs. The same goes for high handicappers, a 22 used to be able to only put in 3 overs on stroke holes and can now put in unlimited 3 overs. So both the low and high handicaps can have potentially higher gross scores for handicap purposes. As can be seen from the above statistics this has not made a big difference to the average handicaps. Why is this?

The answer is due to the fact that like the USA, New Zealand and Australia we use the average of only the best scores for the handicap calculation. So if a 22 or 24 handicap has a bad day and has three or four 3 overs (i.e. 12 over on 4 Holes, plus of course 2 overs and 1 overs) the score will probably not count as one of their 10 best. In the same way if a 4 handicap has even 3 x 2 overs (6 over) the score will also probably not count. If these scores do count then the player was clearly under handicapped, in international terms, and his handicap will go out.

How do we compare to international systems with regards to maximum score per hole.

The USGA have a number of breaks where one handicap group gets an extra maximum shot a hole as follows. Up to 9 handicap 2 over on any hole, 10 to 19 handicap maximum score of 7, 20 to 29 a maximum score of 8 and 30 to 39 a maximum score of 9. So they have a number of handicap groups that suddenly get an extra maximum shot a hole and they also have no unacceptable bias issues between these groups in their statistics.

All the other countries have a maximum score per hole of net double bogey. South Africa still has the lowest maximum score for handicap purposes, in the World.

The changes to the maximum score to bring us more in line with the rest of the world have in fact increased the lower handicaps more than the higher handicaps. Yet the complaints we hear are only about the fact that the higher handicaps have benefited more. We are not sure why this is because the statistics don’t support this.

The higher handicaps (above 24) are only 10% of male golfers and in the club survey conducted do not win at a higher percentage than their percentage of players, but as advised we need further accurate research to verify this.

HNA are also happy to have any of the handicap statistics, which we have published above, audited by any recognised audit firm, on the basis that we would pay 50% of the costs.

Conclusion

The current SAGA handicap system is statistically completely fair to all handicap groups, and like the USGA and New Zealand who use the same system, we see absolutely no problem or bias in favour of any one handicap group, or any need to change it.

No one has yet come up with a sound set of statistical results that shows one group is benefiting over the other, in any form of competition. We do however take note that this appears to be an emotive issue at club level and so we will embark on a more extensive and accurate research project to establish the correct picture over the whole of South Africa. In the meantime we would suggest golfers should just get on and play and accept that better ball winning scores are all about dove tailing, and not to do with a problem in the handicapping system, which is now totally in line with world standards.

In spite of his rookie status, Ruan de Smidt shot a confident 71 at Durban Country Club on Saturday to win the Suncoast Classic, his maiden title, by four strokes.

“I didn’t feel nervous until the last tee shot. I had a three-stroke lead and I just wanted to hit it into the fairway. I’m very happy and excited for the end of the year now that I’ve got my first win,” he said.

De Smidt broke par in all three rounds for a wire-to-wire victory at a club that’s hosted the SA Open 17 times. He netted a cool R95,100 in the process.

“I just played really well this week,” he said. “Neil Schietekat spoke to me when we were flying down from Joburg and his advice was to not use driver a lot. I hit lots of two-irons this week and I hardly missed the fairway – that helped a lot.”

A bogey marked the first was the first signs of nervousness, but the Qualifying School winner quickly regained his composure. The nerves kicked in a second time on the stretch and he bogeyed at 16 and 17, but birdied 18 to finish in style.

“I just didn’t want to mess it up. I started with a stupid drop this morning and decided that I needed to play solid golf – the way I had been through the week. I putted well the whole week and that birdie just settled me down a little,” he said.

The youngster celebrated his 23rd birthday just two days ago, and couldn’t have asked for a better present as the Sunshine Tour heads into summer.

“I’ve definitely got a lot more confidence now. Last week I missed the cut – I played terribly. This week’s win really turns that around and I’m looking forward to my next year of golf,” he said.

De Smidt had an early start during round one, which helped him avoid intense winds and card 69 on Friday. The following day he braved the afternoon winds, hitting low shots and playing smart golf to reach the clubhouse in 68 blows, earning a three-stroke lead ahead of the final round.

Rookies on tour have to pre-qualify for nearly every tournament. De Smidt’s victory will secure his entry into plenty of events over summer, including next week’s ISPS Handa Matchplay Championship.

“I’ve got no idea what I’ll get up to over the next few days, but I’ll celebrate a bit. We’ve got the ISPS Handa Matchplay in two days, and I need to be ready for that. I’ll have some confidence going into it without having to pre-qualify,” he said.

The rewards don’t end there – he earns an impressive 130 Investec Cup points. These points go toward qualifying for the Investec Cup, a tournament with a field consisting of the top 30 in points standings, who will play for a R6-million pot. 13 Tournaments, starting with the BMG Classic and ending with Telkom PGA Championship, carry such points.

De Smidt was not thinking too far ahead.

“I was very glad it’s over,” he said. “I don’t know if I would have made it through another two holes. After the drop, drop finish making birdie on the last was fantastic.”

STRAND DOMINATE INAUGURAL LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN SA JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

The inaugural Louis Oosthuizen SA Junior Club Championship ended today (14th October) at the spectacular Jack Nicklaus designed St Francis Links course in the Eastern Cape. The course was presented in immaculate condition and the players were also rewarded with great golfing weather.

The format of the event was 54 holes medal with teams of 4 players, having 3 scores counting for each 18 holes completed. A total of 18 clubs from all around the country participated. Qualification events at union level were held to decide which clubs represented their union.

From the outset Strand Golf Club took control of the event and were eventually crowned as the winners by the large margin of 26 shots. The final day saw three of the Strand players record the best individual tournament rounds, namely Robert Bougas 70, Dylan Raubenheimer 71 and Elmo Barnard 72. The 4th member of the side was Johann Germishuys.

A titanic struggle ensued for the runner-up spot with Polokwane GC (710) eventually edging out Krugersdorp GC (711) by a single shot. In 4th place was Benoni Lake A (723) and East London GC (724) 5th.

The individual title saw a dominant performance by 17 year old Dylan Raubenheimer (Strand). After rounds of 74, 78 & 71 he won by a margin of 5 shots from Port Elizabeth GC member Hando Brophy (74, 79 & 75). This follows on Dylan’s great performance in winning the Ekurhuleni Open at ERPM the previous weekend. In 3rd position was Robert Bougas, a shot behind Hando, on 229 (79, 80 & 70).

Another highlight of the final day was the hole-in-one recorded by Humewood’s Granwell Gelderbloem on the par 3 137 metre 4th. He used a 9 iron.

This tournament was played on one of South Africa’s great courses and will without doubt grow in stature as one of the sought after junior events in South Africa.

Team results:

1. Strand 684
2. Polowane 710
3. Krugersdorp 711
4. Benoni Lake A 723
5. East London 724
6. Port Elizabeth 734
7. Humewood 752
8. Witbank 753
9. Middelburg 755
10. Bloemfontein 759

View Results Louis Oosthuizen SA Junior Club Championship

CAPTAINS PRIZE

The format for Captains Prize was a Combined Stableford in the morning and Betterball Stableford in the afternoon.

1) H o Dell & G Viviers 80 + 48 = 128
2) S & J Rossiter 74 + 45 = 119
3) J Syme & M Ford 76 + 43 = 119
4) J Volschenk & M Wilden 69 + 48 = 117

Best Am points: N du Toit & B Franklin 72
Best Pm points: R & M Irvine 51

Thanks to all the players that made the day a success and we are looking forward to Presidents Prize in February

Interesting statistics

Statistics supporting HCP changes

We are also pleased to advise that the changes to the handicap calculation, introduced by the SAGA in February 2012, have been effective.

The changes brought our calculation into line with international handicaps, and the scoring statistics of each handicap division are now comparable.

The overall handicap average for men has increased from 16.01 to 16.25, and for women from 25.26 to 25.59. See the tables below which reflect handicap performances in each division.

Percentage of time players played to or below their handicap during May 2012

Exceptional scores by handicap division during May 2012

Interesting statistics

We would like to share a few interesting statistics that we have extracted from the handicap system as well as the results from our club survey of who is winning the majority of club Better Ball competitions.

Below please find the statistics showing the percentage of time that golfers play to or below their handicaps. This is monitored on a monthly basis and as can be seen there is no major advantage for any handicap group.

JUNE-2012

Another interesting statistic is the exceptional scoring statistic. This is effectively equivalent to 39 or more Stableford points. Again there is very little difference between the handicap groups although as expected it increases slightly with handicap.

MAY-2012

We have of course no idea from the system who wins the most better ball competitions, so we asked the clubs to please give us their 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed winners of their Better Ball competitions over the April, May and June 2012 period. 47 clubs responded and below is the overall result of this survey, against the average number of players in these divisions country wide.

Club Competition Winning Percentage vs Total Golfer Percentages

So from these statistics the players in the handicap range 6 to 18 win better ball competitions at a slightly higher percentage than the other golfers. Your club competition results may or may not differ from these figures but each club can of course do their own statistics.

Central Gauteng Order of Merit
(Click on image to enlarge)

Krugersdorp cruise to National Finals

This year saw the inugural Louis Oosthuizen Junior Interclub Tournament take place. Each union has a qualifier and CGGU hosted its qualifier at Houghton Golf Club on Sunday the 12th of August.

The extemely cold and windy conditions added to the tough Jack Nicklaus layout at Houghton which made scoring a difficult task.

The top two clubs in the union qualifier qualify for the National Finals which will be played at St. Francis Links from the 12th to the 14th of October.

With the top 3 of the 4 players scores to count, the two qualifying clubs from CGGU were Krugersorp on a combined total of 234 and in second place was CMR on a combined total of 242.

Narrowly missing out were Modderfontein A who has a combinded total of 244.

We would like to wish the two qualifying clubs the best of luck for the National Finals and would like to thank all the participating clubs for being involved in this event.

Pictured above is Calvin Caldeira from Krugersdorp who had the best individual score on the day

For full results of the CGGU qualifier please click here

Younger De Smidt wins on Glacier Junior Series

On a challenging day of wind and tricky greens, the 16-year-old De Smidt produced a solid round of level-par 71 to win by a single stroke over Dean Martin in the Thomas Aiken Tournament.

The victory caps an incredible run of form for De Smidt. This year he finished tied third in the South African Boys Under-17 championship, runner-up in the match play of the South African Boys Under-19 championship and represented Central Gauteng in the Challenge Inter-Provincial.

All of which convinced him that perhaps he should tee it up on the leading junior series in the country.

“This was my first Glacier tournament and I can’t believe I won it. It means a lot to me because this is such a good series,” said De Smidt, who now qualifies for the National Final in October. The winner there earns an all-expenses paid trip from Glacier by Sanlam to compete in the Orange Bowl Invitational, junior golf’s biggest and most prestigious tournament, in the United States later this year.

De Smidt didn’t get off to the best of starts on Sunday when he bogeyed the par-5 first hole after hitting a tree. He responded with a 10-footer for birdie on the second, and then the fifth gave him his second bogey of the day. But on 18 he hit an incredible drive down the middle of the fairway and then an 8-iron to less than a foot from the hole for birdie.

“It feels great. I worked hard for this because I was sick for a few days so had to really practice intensely coming into this tournament.”

De Smidt, who plays out of the Krugersdorp Golf Club, has the good fortune of relying on brother Ruan to keep his swing in check, as well as a father who is a PGA professional.

“They both help me a lot. I think they know my swing better than I do. I think Ruan in particular will be pretty proud of me for this win.”

Darin de Smidt finishes 3rd in SA BOYS U 17 Championship. Well done Darin we are proud of you.

Nomads SA Boys U/17 Championship
72 Hole Stroke Play
Pretoria Country Club , 25 - 28 June 2012

Livescoring by Albatros

Hole by hole statistics

The Selection Committee would like to announce and congratulate the following players who have been selected to represent the Union at the Challenge IPT at Cullinan from the 6th to 11th May 2012 :

• Johan Theron - Maccauvlei
  
• Otto van Greunen - Maccauvlei
  
• Jaco Mouton - Glendower
  
• Angus Ellis-Cole - Glendower
  
• Darin de Smidt - Krugersdorp
  
• Graeme Vrugtman - Randpark
  
• Terrance Boardman - Royal JK
  
• Andi Dill - Royal JK

1st Reserve

• Ryan Lane Royal JK

2nd Reserve

• Hanno van der Walt Royal JK

The Manager for the team will be announced as soon as possible.

Regards
Marinus Weiss
Director of Golf
Central Gauteng Golf Union

Golf According to St. Titleist

Even if you are not a golfer, you will find some valuable life lessons here.

Eighteen holes of match play will teach you more about your foe than 18 years of dealing with him across a desk. Grantland Rice.

Golf appeals to the idiot in us and the child. Just how childlike golf players become is proven by their frequent inability to count past five. John Updike

If profanity had any influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is. Horace G. Hutchinson

If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork as poorly as they do a golf club, they'd starve to death. Sam Snead

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt. Dean Martin

Man blames fate for all other accidents, but feels personally responsible when he makes a hole-in-one. Bishop Sheen

I don't say my golf game is bad; but if I grew tomatoes, they'd come up sliced. Arnold Palmer.

I'm hitting the woods just great; but having a terrible time getting out of them. Buddy Hackett

The only time my prayers are never answered is playing golf. Billy Graham.

If you think it's hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball. Jack Lemmon

It's good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling. Mark Twain

May thy ball lie in green pastures and not in still waters. Ben Hogan.

If I hit it right, it's a slice. If I hit it left, it's a hook. If I hit it straight, it's a miracle. All Us Hackers

Golf is a game invented by the same people who think music comes out of a bagpipe. Lee Trevino.

And finally. . .

The difference between golf and government is that in golf you can't improve your lie. George Deukmejian

ANOTHER WIN FOR CALVIN

Calvin Caldeira continued his good form on the weekend by winning the Central Gauteng Junior Silver Vaas tournament at Royal Johannesburg. This is a prestigious tournament as many of our top players have won this tournament as a junior. Calvin shot a brilliant 65 on the West Course in the morning and followed it with a 71 at the difficult East Course in the afternoon. Well done to Calvin as this tournament is by invite and all the top juniors participate. Our only other player in the tournament was Darin de Smidt who shot 73 and 72 to finish seventh.

Well done to Calvin Caldeira who won the individual honours in this tournament. He shot 70, 75 at Vaal de Grace and 74,66 at Parys to come first. This is a great achievement as the top 8 players from Wes Rand, Gauteng North, Ekuherleni, North West, Limpopo, Natal, Northern Free State and Vaal Triangle took part.

In the teams West Rand, which included Calvin, Darin de Smidt and Aldre Terblanche from our club finished third.

Well done to all our boys.

Krugersdorp do it again !

In another very tight Inter Club tournament which was sponsored by The Golfers Club, good golf was played by all teams who particpated.

After the morning round, Wanderers A was leading by 13 strokes after a brilliant 66 by Jonathan Rapunga. Another 66 was recorded by Calvin Caldeira from Krugersdorp.

In the afternoon round, things became very tight to such an extent, that the final results depended on the outcome of the score by one of the players from Wanderers A.

At the end, Krugersdorp came out on top for the second year running by one stroke from Wanderers A. The full results are available under our Tournament tabs.

In the individual results, the results were as follows :

Best AM round - Jonathan Rapunga 66
Best PM round - Ruan de Smidt 68
Best overall gross - Calvin Caldeira 66 74 140

Our thanks must once agian go to The Golfers Club and their generous sponsorship of Amateur Golf in Central Gauteng without which the successful hosting of tournaments will be difficult.

The winning team is pictured below with William Lucas, President of Central Gauteng Golg Union.

Marinus Weiss
Director of Golf

Dear all,

The Central Gauteng Golf Union Executive have pleasure in announcing the following team to represent the Union at the 2011 Premier Inter Provincial tournament which will be held at the Bloemfontein Golf Club from the 18th September 2011 to the 23rd September 2011 :

Players

• Graham van der Merwe Royal JHB & Kensington (Captain)
  
• Haydn Porteous Modderfontein
  
• Ruan de Smidt Krugersdorp
  
• Daniel Hammond Wanderers
  
• Callum Mowat Modderfontein
  
• Victor Lange Royal JHB & Kensington
  
• Muzi Nethunzwi Soweto
  
• Damien Naicker Crown Mines
  
• Non Travelling Reserves
  
• Michael Dixon Bryanston
  
• Thomas Lovett Glendower

Manager

• Jock Wellington Kyalami

Firstly, congratulations to all the players who have been selected for this extremely prestigious event. I have been in many conversations with some of our top professional players and one thing they continuously speak of, is their experiences during these IPT events and they hold it very close to their hearts. We are sure that you will represent this Union with honour and only give your best during the tournament.

Secondly, congratulations must go to the Clubs who’s players have been selected. We are sure that your encouragement acts as motivation for them to do their best at all times.

Congratulations once again with your selection for this event.

Regards
Marinus Weiss
Director of Golf

Dear Golfer,

It is with great excitement that we announce that Handicaps Network Africa, in partnership with Castle Lite, will be launching a national Castle Lite SAGA Handicap Competition. The competition tees off on 7 March 2011.

The lowest net score entered on the SAGA Handicap System in the following 5 categories between Monday and Sunday each week, will receive 2 cases of Castle Lite. In addition, the home club of each winner will also receive 2 complimentary cases of Castle Lite.

Simply go to www.handicaps.co.za and click on the Castle Lite Competition banner to view the weekly winners.

The 5 handicap categories are:

1) < 5
2) 6 – 12
3) 13 – 18
4) 19 – 24
5) 25 - 36

Multiple winners in each category will be counted out. Winners will be announced on www.handicaps.co.za every Thursday. Prizes will be delivered to the home club of the winners where they can be collected by the players. The competition is only open to players over the age of 18 years.

For further information and terms and conditions please visit www.handicaps.co.za

Good luck!
Regards,
Handicaps Network Afric

CGGU Inter Club Teams Tournament

The 2010 Inter Club Teams Championship was concluded at Wanderers Golf Club on Sunday, the 8th August 2010. 20 Teams representing a slightly disappointing 14 Clubs in Central Gauteng took part in this 22nd staging of this event at Wanderers Golf Club.

The course was set-up pretty tough and one or two pin positions really got the guys thinking about the greens which much have run at about 13 on the stimp meter.

In the morning's round, it was Reading's young and inexperienced side leading by one stroke from a number of other Clubs but the big moves came in the afternoon. Krugersdorp's young side, led by their Premier IPT player, Ruan de Smidt, came home with scores of 69,74 and 74 for the top three players and ended up winning the tournament on a total score of 440 strokes. In 2nd place was CMR on 445 and third, last year's winners, Wanderers A, who lost on a count-out.

The best individual score came from Reading's Kyle Lucas (69,71) who will be leaving for the USA on a scholarship at the end of next week. On behalf of the Executive of the CGGU, we would like to wish Kyle all of the best in his new challenge.

Glenvista's Brett Langston achieved a hole in one on the short 17th at Wanderers and Greg de Villiers scored a rare Albatros 2 onthe 10th hole. Weel done !

Pictured are the winners from Krugersdorp, Ruan de Smidt, Johan Aucamp, Calvin Caldeira, Justin Rossiter and the President of CGGU, Errol Mills.

Thanks must once again go to all at Wanderers for ensuring this tournament was succesful. A special thanks must go to Chris Leischer, Vice Chairman of the Club for his assistance and support.

Marinus Weiss - Director of Golf