‘Scully’ scoops another at Durban CC
THERE’S something about Durban Country Club that Derek Scullard (38) seems to love. And, in particular, the little bunker on the right of the par-three fourth green.
“Scully”, who plays out of Cathedral Peak, won the Golfers’ Club KwaZulu-Natal Mid- Amateur Champs at this famed venue last Sunday on scores of 70 and 73.
A couple of years ago he won the David Suddards Trophy at the same course. On that occasion he holed a bunker shot on the fourth, which kick-started his charge.
Last Sunday he did the same thing. When the ball disappeared into the hole it jogged his memory, and he thought “maybe I can win here again”.
While he didn’t exactly go on a birdie barrage, it did give him the confidence that he could win. He hasn’t won for a while so was quite relieved.
“It’s about time, it’s been too long. I was beginning to wonder if I still had it.”
Scullard almost didn’t play at all as he missed the closing date for entries. However, he was ranked No 1 and wanted to play, so a plan was made.
“I spoke to Champ (Neil Champion) and said: ‘Look, it’s my mess-up, if it costs me a place in the team, then so be it,’” he said.
(It is compulsory to play in this event to be considered for selection.)
In the end Scullard teed off at the front of the field, something he really enjoyed.
“It was lovely, we never waited! I did thank the Golf Union afterwards,” he said.
He felt the course had played very well after the recent heavy rain.
“The greens were great, smooth and a nice speed. But yes, if you got on the wrong side of the hole then you’d have some issues,” he explained.
Scullard felt his short game saved him at times, although he was more concerned about his distance off the tee, or lack thereof.
“I was being out-driven on most holes. I need to check if I have the right shaft in there. I could be too old for it now,” he joked.
Former tennis pro Kevin Ullyett (Umhlali CC) was second, two shots behind, while Gerlou Roux of Belville Golf Club was third.
The mid-amateur team was chosen afterwards.
It is Lyall McNeill (captain – Cotswold Downs), Derek Scullard (Cathedral Peak), Dale Burraston (Mount Edgecombe), Corne van Deventer (Vryheid), Murray Gilson (Durban CC), Keith Forde (Durban CC), Kalvin Parsons (Victoria) and Sean Baker (Kokstad). Reserves are Ashwin Krishen (Durban CC) and Graham Dickinson (Maritzburg Golf Club). Neil Champion is the manager.
Newcomers are Scullard, Baker, a regular on the country districts scene, and rookie Parsons.
Missing out from last year were David Brown (Mount Edgecombe), Bradley Davison (Royal Durban) and Clive Lazarus (Durban CC).
The SA Mid-Amateur IPT will be played at Rustenburg Golf Club from October 10 to October 14.
KZN will go as defending champions and, with a team very similar in strength to last year, should have a decent chance of a “repeat”.