ALMOST 50 AND AT HER BEST!

Fifty, they say, is the new 35 and Umhlali Country Club bears testimony to that as she approaches her 50th in 2011 – she is still busy and growing, has a hectic social life with an ever increasing fan club of admirers and has never looked better. Preparations for the Club’s 50th celebration are well way and we will keep you posted..... 2011 is going to be a big big year for UCC so watch this space.

 Despite the severe lack of rejuvenating rains the course remains one of the most beautiful in Natal and has showed no drop in golf rounds with member support being at an all time high. Our Golf Manager and Greenkeeper and their team have ensured that UCC’s course just gets better and better. Golf is always serious business at UCC but we are known for our relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and this is reflected in the number of companies and golf groups that continue to book their golf days here year after year.

The ladies Thursday morning golf runs like clockwork under the watchful eye of the ladies committee. This section continues to grow month by month and visitors are always most welcome. Spring was welcomed on Thursday as the ladies donned their best spring bonnets and after some difficult decisions the first prize went to Hillary Hunter who’s imaginative hat sported a birds nest complete with egg! Second prize went to Pam Westcott who epitomized spring in a bright pink and green floral creation. Never let it be said there is no fun in our ladies section.

The other sporting sections have in no way lagged behind and the bowls section hosted the Bowls SA Mixed Pairs Nationals from the 5th to the 7th August – a sign that the UCC Bowling Club is well and truly on the map. Participants showered the club with accolades and glowing reports on the condition of the greens and they were overwhelmed by the hospitality of our bowlers and their committee. Bowls continues to grow with regular sponsorships from companies like Hirsch, Everfresh and BP.

There seems to be a tennis ‘slow-down’ right across the country but Roger Ferrandi keeps activity on the courts at a constant high with lessons for the young and the not so young and the results are showing as four of the boys from Ferrandi’s  Tennis Academy took part in the Head Grand Prix 10 and Under tournament in Durban and Andrew Farrand and Tim Bean finished first and second in their respective round robin sections.

Not a month goes by without a new squash member or two being added to the ranks and the contagious enthusiasm from the squash section spills out into the pub and its not unusual to hear the music pumping (just a little) and the braais being manned by a pink cheeked chef fresh off the court.

UCC’s attraction does not lie in the course alone but also in the warmly welcoming clubhouse which has hosted a number of hugely enjoyable quiz evenings and a very successful Irish Christmas dinner dance in July which brought the locals together for an evening of festive wining, dining and dancing. Proceeds from this event went to the North Coast Courier Orphans Fund so well done and many thanks to those who supported and sponsored the evening.

Umhlali Country Club quiz

Umhlali Country Club quiz competitions are popular pastimes on cold winter’s evenings, covering every subject under the sun from sport and history to food and entertainment - ideal for those with a large collection of useless information such as: “What is the name of the blue Tellytubby?”

About 100 people took part in last week’s quiz, and the Brains Trust of the evening were (from left) Clair Sladden, Granny Glynis Hunter, John Veasey, Patrick Pinn, Wayne Smith, Jessica “Inky Winky” Veasey and Jeanine Pinn.