The arrival of winter brings with it certain challenges when it comes to stock levels! The decision of how many jerseys, jackets, wind proofs and water proofs is not an easy one.

Most of our winter stock has arrived and is out for sale. If any of you have had the pleasure of getting caught out on the course with a "cheap and nasty" water-proof jacket, you will know that spending a little more on a quality water-proof jacket or a complete rain suit is well worth the investment.

Sunderland is the brand we have gone with this year as they are designed to withstand the UK rain. This in itself is a good selling point!! They are also casual enough to be worn with a pair of jeans for a night out and will not look like you have just walked off the golf course. The costs involved are as follows: Jacket – R 1 200 & Trousers – R 1 000. REMEMBER: Members get an automatic 10% off. If you are interested in purchasing the complete set, I am sure we can negotiate.

Ping are arguably the industry leaders in South Africa when it comes to golf apparel. We received a variety of wind breakers from them and they definitely have that Scottish look to them. There are two different colors and I strongly urge the members and visitors to swing by before or after your round and take a look. There is no harm in looking around, and you are under no obligation to purchase (although a purchase here or there won't go astray). These "zip-neck" wind-breakers are retailing for R 1 100. There are also "V neck" options going for R 790. As recognition of your membership we again extend the 10% discount.

A variety of Ping shirts arrived, to replace the SALE RAIL items. The assorted Ping shirts are selling for a low R 560. There has been much interest in these shirts already so don't delay and be left high and dry!! As mentioned, we have drastically reduced our prices on some of the older stock of shirts. There is a full waterfall worth of shirts should you be on the hunt for a bargain. Some of the shirts are up to 60% off.

There is a display in the Pro Shop for all the Jerseys that we received for winter. There are some great colors to choose from, as well as long sleeve and sleeveless options. We have Ashworth long sleeve jerseys for R 700, Ahead long sleeve jerseys for R 420 and Ahead sleeveless jerseys for R 390.

We have just completed setting up a CLUB REPAIR workshop. The workshop will be capable of regripping all your clubs, including putters, as well as lengthening or shortening clubs to suit your correct requirements. Putter Grips will start from R 160, depending on thick you would like the grip to be, iron grips will start from R 35 per grip.

I have taken a look at the member's shoes that are stored at the back of the locker room and have noted that more than half the shoes there require new spikes!! This is alarming, because with worn out spikes you are likely to "slip and slide" all over the show during your swing. How many of you can actually feel yourselves slip as you make your swing? Most of you will write that off to your bad swings, when in actual fact there is nothing wrong with your swing, yet you still find yourself in the rough. Try it out!!! Replace your spikes and see what a difference it makes to your game!!!

I am sure you have had enough of reading my nonsense, but on a last note, I would like to invite everyone to take advantage of the Cleveland Demo Day that will be taking place on the driving range on 26 May 2012. If you would like to try out all the latest equipment and get custom fit in the process, you will need to make a booking. Bookings can be made by calling the Pro Shop. Times available are in 30 minute slots from 0800hrs through to 1300hrs. Don't be disappointed, call now.

We look forward to seeing smartly dressed members, proudly "walking-in" their new spikes.

Happy golfing.

Barry

JOHANNEBURG (4 April 2012) – The South African Golf Association (SAGA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Little as National Junior and Senior Golf Coordinator and Junior Golf Development Officer from April 1, 2012.

Little will be responsible for the administrative duties and tournaments relating to the junior and senior amateur schedule, monitoring the progress of golf development programmes at provincial level, as well as liaising with the committees and individuals who look after junior golf at provincial level.

"We are delighted to welcome Peter to our ranks," said SAGA president Colin Burger. "We believe his leadership, commitment and proven track record in amateur golf, especially junior and senior golf, will bring new momentum to the organisation.

"The National Junior Golf Coordinator post was created when the SAGA took ownership of junior golf in January 2011 in accordance to a mandate from SASCOC and SRSA," he said.

"Junior Golf is now completely under the auspices of the SAGA and part of Peter's directive will be to ensure that the 13 divisions that form SAGA Junior Golf remains an integral part of the SAGA. He will also make sure that the junior golf development programmes are closely aligned to the SAGA and the funds allocated for development are appropriately disbursed.

"We have a lot of confidence in his abilities. Peter brings more than 10 years of junior golf experience to the position and has a strong background in amateur golf, having served the Western Province Golf Union for many years at junior and senior level."

Speaking from the South African Boys U19 Tournament at Katberg Eco Golf Estate, Little said he was looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I am excited to grow junior and senior golf beyond the borders of the Western Province and I look forward to a long association with the SAGA," he said.

Little's involvement in junior golf dates back to 2000, when he began organising weekly competitions for a group of young golfers from Royal Cape Golf Club in order to promote a stronger junior presence at Royal Cape.

"That exercise set me on a road with junior golf, and it all really blossomed from there," he said.

After answering the call from the Western Province Golf Union to manage an U14 team at the Southern Provinces Interprovincial in 2004, Little felt that more had to be done at provincial level to promote golf in the younger age groups.

He launched an U14 provincial squad for interested kids on Sunday afternoons and in 2005, took two u14 teams to the Fish River Challenge.

"The tournament draws all the southern provinces and the Western Province has dominated the Southern Provinces Interprovincial since 2005," he said. "Seeing that they also had an U12 division at this tournament, I started an U12 squad that practiced with the U14's on Sundays. At this point, I was also asked to join the WP Junior Golf Foundation committee."

Little initiated the inaugural U12 Interprovincial Tournament with the support of the SA Junior Golf Foundation in June 2006. The inaugural tournament at Clovelly Golf Club drew nine teams, but that number had grown to 15 teams by 2009.

In 2007, the Western Province Golf Union offered Little a full time position to run all junior golf within the province and a year later, also appointed him to run senior golf for the Western Province.

"Junior golf in the Western Province continued to grow and thrive and 2011 was an exceptional year for us, with the Western Province winning the u19 Interprovincial for the first time in eight years, as well as the Senior Interprovincial for the first time in 23 years," Little said.

"Naturally it was a difficult decision to leave the Western Province Golf Union and everything I've invested there in the last 12 years behind, but when the SAGA approached me to take up the national Junior and Senior Golf Coordinator position, I was delighted to accept. I am especially excited at the prospect of junior golf development, which is something that has always been close to my heart."

For further information, please contact:

Colin Burger (SAGA President) Cell: 082 374 3456

Bruce Younge (SAGA Executive Director) Cell: 082 374 3455

Released on behalf of the South African Golf Association by Michael Vlismas Media.

Lali Stander

082 990 7150

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Club Championship information has been updated on the events page - Click here to view the announcement

1. Maximum score on any hole and adjusted gross
The maximum score allowed to be entered for handicap purposes on any hole will be revised with effect from 1st February to a maximum of 2 over par on any hole for handicaps below 18, and 3 over par for handicaps 19 to 36.

2. Handicap adjustments
With effect from 1 January 2012, there will be no limit on how many strokes a golfers handicap may move up or down, provided the club handicapper reviews and approves changes where handicaps increase by more than two shots at the month end recalculation.

3. Temporary suspension of the Calculated Rating (CR)
The above changes to the maximum score allowed on a hole, which will be implemented from the 1st February 2012, will have the effect of bringing the scoring records of all handicap divisions into line. This will however also affect the scoring statistics of each handicap division, with a larger effect on the lower handicap divisions. The CR algorithms used for competition score adjustments internationally, are based on a variance, due to weather or course set up, outside a buffer zone, from the normal scoring patterns of each handicap division. The CR calculation will therefore be suspended until the scores in each handicap division have stabilised to provide a statistically accurate average level.

4. Handicaps will now be only recalculated according to the following events:

• On the last day of every month. 
• Each time a score is either entered or deleted for a round that was played prior to the last handicap calculation date in a player’s profile. 
• Every time a player records a second exceptional score in his last 20 rounds, and for each additional exceptional score thereafter. 
• Every time a 72 hour late score entry penalty is received. 

5. Removal of the 72 hour delay in recording valid scores
With effect from 1st February 2012 scores for inclusion in the month end handicap calculation will be taken from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month both days inclusive. The scores recorded on the day will therefore be valid as of the next day and not after 72 hours as is currently the practice.