The Farmers Agri-care Monthly Mug and the Midlands Spraychem Match play was played simultaneously on Saturday 23 January 2021, with the final round of the matchplay on Sunday 24 January 2021. The matchplay format, is completely different from the monthly mug format, so the players had an interesting day. Matchplay is more of a tactical game and some major surprises were delivered over the weekend.
Due to Brent Barkhuizen’s work commitments, he was unable to play, Piet Nel was the next player in the field. Defending matchplay champion, Fanie van Wyk lost to Josh Meyer after the first round and in the plate first round lost to Darren Reeksting 2 and one, making Fanie a spectator in the final.
In the first round, Dieter Meyer and Maruis Muller took their game to two and one and Maruis was then drawn against his father Tienie, on Saturday afternoon. Tienie being the most experienced player in the field then had time for a father and son talk on Saturday , Tienie won by two holes with one to play .
Piet Nel took Darren Reeksting to the 18th hole to win by one hole and Merwin Rabe lost to Tienie in the morning first round.
This year the organisers added the plate section so all losers in the first round went into a plate round.
For the plate round ,Dieter lost 8 and 6 to Merwin and Darren took Fanie to the 17th hole to win with two holes and one to play.
Josh Meyer, playing some of his best golf in his life reeled Piet back after being 4 holes down, to beat Piet by two and one. Then the silent assassin, Tienie was set to meet Josh on Sunday morning in the Matchplay championship and with Merwin and Darren meeting in the plate section.( A phone call from Firehawk during the game gave Piet a wobbly. Firehawk does fire spotting duties in the farming community.)
With the cyclone ELOISE threatening with severe rain on Sunday afternoon, the golfers set off early Sunday morning, and all golfers were permitted to play on carts if they wanted to.
In the plate section it wasn’t long before German precision kicked in and Merwin and Darryn shook hands on the 14th hole with Merwin Rabe winning four and three.
The final of the matchplay was very exciting, after Tienie three putted on the Par 5, 16th hole the game was all square again and it took the game to the 19th hole, for sudden death and Tienie then beat Josh by one. The 19th hole is normally the clubhouse where drinks are enjoyed, but in this case it went to an extra hole, hole number one, their nineteenth hole of the game.
Tienie in his victory speech commented on the good and competitive spirit and the quiet respect shown by his opponent Josh, while the game was played. The “Nel” blue jacket that is awarded at the prize giving was then handed over by Fanie to Tienie. Josh was awarded the runner-up kilt. The “ Nel Blue Jacket” belonged Piet’s grandfather and has the family crest on the pocket.
Farmers Agri-care monthly mug Results:
1st Darren Reeksting nett 69
2nd Merwin Rabe nett 73 o.c.o
3rd Tienie Muller
4th Josh Meyer nett 74 o.c.o
5th Piet Nel
Captains Putter: Colin Hooper
Best Greytown golfer : Steve vd Merwe
Nearest to pin 2/11th: : Fanie van Wyk
Best Stableford Josh Meyer 35 points.
Next Farmers Agri-care Monthly Mug will be held on Saturday 20 February 2021 The course is open with strict Covid 19 protocol in place. A Booking must be made to play golf. Please contact Gary 0791230171 or Piet 0832691661.