DCC - Event 6 (Port Shepstone)

After much anticipation and a huge buildup, we visited the South Coast last weekend for the 6th event in the Dolphin Coast Classic. I’ve previously mentioned the DCC and what it’s all about over here. Well at long last, the four of us have managed to be in the same country at the same time and so we didn’t waste any time in getting the DCC off the ground.

We decided to stay at Mantis and Moon, which is a backpacker’s in Hibberdene, and really is one of the South Coast’s little gems. The place is clean, has great facilities, and is close to the beach. There was no shortage of activity with the amount of pool, darts, table tennis and foozball we played. There is also a swimming pool and a little Jacuzzi tucked in among the jungle-like fauna. They have a great bar area and music plays all day long. Check out their website here

Our golf course of choice was Port Shepstone and it delivered the goods. It was in superb condition and the weather was close to 30 degrees, no clouds invited. We tee’d off at 8am and the golf was less than inspiring, but there were moments of brilliance every now and then. The problem for both teams was that none of us could build on the small advantages that we constantly exchanged with one another. Mike and I were 2 up on the front 9 at some point but we managed to throw it away and walked in at the halfway house all square.
Not ideal

The second 9 saw both teams only ever being 1 up at the most. Shuz and Verve took the early lead and Tont and I pulled one back to go all square. I had a disastrous 3 putt on the 13th which would have put us in the lead. Verve and Shuz jumped on our lack of confidence in the next par 3 and went 1 up again. The very next hole Tont and I pulled one back to go all square once again. That’s how it stayed until the 18the tee box.

Tont and Shuz didn’t have anything to offer on the last hole and once Verve and I were safely on the green for equal shots, a halve (tie) for the game was certainly on the cards. Verve had an absolute shocker of a first putt and left himself a good distance from the hole. But true to form, he sank the putt and the game was halved.

A great challenge on the course and although no one walks away with their names on the trophy, the result almost seemed apt after having waited so long to play the DCC again. The golf and the entire weekend for that matter was such good quality that to have any losers walking away wouldn’t have seemed fair.

Mike bore the brunt of the fine's meeting

At times he was openly showing a lot of concern

But he seemed to get over himself

And take it like a man

Back in Time - Dolphin Coast Classic

Contrary to popular belief the Ryder Cup is in fact NOT the most coveted and prestigious match play structured golf competition in the world.....it is in fact The Dolphin Coast Classic played right here in KZN. Participation is by invite only and there have only ever been 4 golfers to have had the honour of taking part, plus one very special caddy.

Over the years, myself and Tont have squared up against Verve and Shuz in some titanic battles on courses such as Princes Grant, Zimbali, Southbroom, Mount Edgecombe 2, and Selbourne. The Dolphin Coast Classic is an awesome event and is not an every day occurrence. With all of us venturing in different directions over the past few years it has been a rare bit of luck that all 4 of us have been in the same country at the same time and so it's become more and more difficult to stage the Classic. However, myself, Tont and Verve are all currently living in South Africa and Shuz is set to arrive back in the country on the 10th of December after a stint of travelling around South America, which is the culmination of a good few years based in the UK with fiance' Robyn. So we are set for another clash in the coming months and it's going to be nothing short of mammoth. At time of going to print Shuz and Verve hold a marginal lead of 3 victories to 2.

Anyway, enough rambling, this 'Back in Time' post takes us to pre-2002, where the Dolphin Coast Classic was hosted at Zimbali Country Club along the North Coast. Although there isn't a single photo of the actual golf that was played, these pictures of us at the after party following the standard fines meeting, pretty much sums up the reason why this event is held in the first place.....aaaaaahhhh....good times.