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clarityandmaybepublished orotherwisereusedinanymedium.WINNING LETTER PRIZEveryone has their
views on how to fi x
the Presidents Cup so
that the International team
can be competitive.
However, no one has considered
turning it into a mixed gender
event, which I believe would be
fantastic for golf.
We have the men’s Ryder Cup
and the women’s Solheim Cup.
For the growth of the game, it’s
therefore logical to have the men
and women combining in the
Presidents Cup. Six women and
six men in each team, or perhaps
increase it to eight men and
eight women. The format could
include mixed foursomes, men’s
betterball combinations taking
on women’s combinations (off
diff erent tees, naturally), and the
regular men versus men, women
versus women match-ups.
It should be played over three
days, 36 holes of golf a day, each
session packed with novel ideas.
One of the weaknesses of the
Presidents Cup is that it is spread
out too long. Four days just drags
on for a team event.
The International team would
be strengthened considerably on
the women’s side – seven of the
10 top-ranked women in the
world would currently be eligible
for the Internationals, thanks to
the Asian component – while
the Americans would have their
overwhelming strength among
the men diluted by the fact that
only four American women
golfers are in the world top 25.
The outcome would be less
predictable.
None of the top Asian/
Australasian women players get to
play team events, so a new-look
Presidents Cup would showcase
the likes of Lydia Ko, Shanshan
Feng and Ariya Jutanugarn, plus
all the Koreans. Imagine Lexi
Thompson and Rickie Fowler
paired together for the USA
against Ko and Louis Oosthuizen.
Not only would this change
make the Presidents Cup one
of the most unusual events in
sport, but it would show how
golf is prepared to embrace social
change. The mix of men and
women would attract enormous
crowds wherever it was played.
Thomasina Souness,
Cape TownLET’S HAVE GENDER EQUALITY
AT PRESIDENTS CUP
IRENE’S BARMAN FOR 45 YEARS
CHAMPIONS 59 YEARS APART
GOLFDIGEST.CO.ZA / J ANUARY 2018/ 67E
Irene Country Club is saying farewell to a staff member who
has been a fi xture at the club for the last 45 years, and a house-
hold name. George Baloyi, aff ectionately known as Pappa G, is
retiring as the club barman. On November 15 the club hosted
a benefi t golf day to thank George for his loyalty to the club.
George spent many a long evening at Irene’s bar, often past
his working hours, having deep and emotional discussions with
members. It was part of his friendly character, and his warm
smile and handshake will be missed. He was an integral part of
the Irene community. He joined the club in 1970 as a casual
employee, and two years later was taken on permanently.
George is a legendary fi gure at the club, and his legacy at
Irene will never fade. Enjoy your retirement!
Philip Malan, Irene CCAt age 70, I surprisingly won the B Division of the De Zalze
club championships. A previous B Division winner was
Garrick Higgo, now SA’s top amateur, when he was 11.
Not surprisingly, Garrick won the A Division this year,
defending his title. It says something about golf that there
can be a 59-year diff erence between winners in an open
event, notwithstanding the fact that B Division (handicaps
10-18) is by defi nition a competition for mediocre golfers!
Colin Bryden, StellenboschBUSHMAN SANDS STILL OPEN
I am a homeowner at Bushman Sands in the Eastern Cape, and
your article (November) that the course is closing is incorrect. It
is still open for play.
What happened on September 1 was that BSHO (Bushman
Sands Home Owners) handed the maintenance of the course
back to the River Group who are part owners of the course.
The BSHO had been maintaining the course for four years.
River Group have employed greenkeeper Johan Horne
and his staff to continue maintaining the course, which is in
very good condition. The services of Barry Harmer were not
required by River Group as he had an arrangement with the
BSHO to manage the course.
Visitors can book at 042 231 8000. However, there are no
golf carts as these were returned to the company that leased
them to Harmer. The course is friendly to walk as it is only
5 562 metres, and is in beautiful natural surroundings.
Cyril Nel, Alicedale