Roth Regatta

 ”The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft astray.”

                                                                                            ——Robert Burns

 

On Monday my day off and tickets to watch the final session of the cricket were exchanged for a lunchtime flight from Joburg to Abu Dhabi and a few holes at the Royal Kensington and Johannesburg Golf Club’s West Course. 

Just as

we started the horn sounded to stop play but my caddie Eddie assured me it was alright to continue. After the first birdie of 2010 had been secured on the 200 yard par three fourth hole the thunder started to belch from the heavens and there was huge streak of lightening. Eddie put the bag down almost as quickly as I handed him my golf drivers. 

Despite his protests that it would pass and we could wait just a few moments I felt caution was the better part of valour. Well it may be Chinese Ye

ar of the Tiger but I was born in Chinese Year of the Rabbit which according to Wikipedia has the motto ‘I Retreat’.

On our return to the course I felt Eddie was losing confidence in my golfing ability after I hit one into the water on the sixth and he indiscreetly asked one of the groundstaff to get us some more balls. I much preferred it when every now and again he would shout ‘golf shot’ when I hit one really well. 

On arrival in Abu Dhabi one is quickly reminded betting and watching

dirty movies is strictly forbidden and you have to find a hotel to purchase overpriced alcoholic refreshments. Obviously it will not be my first choice as a retirement destination but at least one can be consoled by the fact there are 8,000 air stewardess based in the city. 

The weather is perfect and the players stay in the 7 star Emirates Palace but the golf course will be no walk in paradise. The rough may not be long but it is very thick and Geoff Ogilvy, who really enjoyed his first look at the course, described it best when he said: “It’s definitely a big disadvantage to be in the rough as opposed to being on the fairway, from the fairway you make birdie. From the rough it’s not the end of the hole it’s just a disadvantage.” 

Dave ‘I’m just a large’ John has picked him out as one to watch this week. 

Defending Champ Paul Casey feels 95% fit but still has a way to go to get 100% fit and he said: “I don’t quite have the same range of motion that I would like. I am unable to swing the golf clubs like I was this time last year but it’s still good enough to get it airborne.” 

He says his main goal is to be injury free for 12 months. The injury is definitely of some concern but he may be underplaying his hand a little considering he managed to shoot 15 under par in Hawaii 10 days ago.

 

Why golf is better than sex 

A nine-year-old boy’s love

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