Veteran Naude is the ‘Langer’ of Randpark golf

Schalk Naude is the Bernhard Langer of Randpark golf. Just as the legendary German continues to keep competitive on the Champions Tour at the ripe old age of 67, so does 66-year-old Naude who keeps on beating senior amateurs years younger than him at club, provincial and indeed national level.

On Sunday Schalk won the Randpark Senior Club Championships for the sixth time, following a 73 on Bushwillow and a 76 on Firethorn for a 149 total, four better than Johann Nel and Sean Quigley on 153.

“Johann, Sean, Brink de Villiers and myself were pretty much all tied up through 27 holes but while I kept my head on the last nine they fell away,” said the champion who has over the years represented Central Gauteng Seniors 14 times at the annual interprovincial, as well as being captain of the side.

So what’s the key to Naude’s longevity in golf? “I’ve got this swing that just repeats itself and doesn’t put pressure on my body (an asset, one could argue, he shares with smooth-swinging Ernie Els?). Also, ever since I finished with rugby at age 34 I’ve stayed fit and I haven’t let my body go, and I can still get my drives out there without forcing the shots,” adds the man who shone at flyhalf for Western Province, the Blue Bulls and Transvaal in the 1980s.

There were fun and games from Bradley de Klerk who won the battle for honours in the B Division gross. He shot 86 on Bushwillow and then played some sparkling golf on Firethorn to come home in 78. “Basically the 86 was the result of one bad nine. Then I came right. I bought a new two-iron just the other day and I used it all the time in place of my driver and it worked wonders,” says 55-year-old Bradley who birdied Firethorn’s par-5 second and fourth holes with the two-iron where he was able to get up in two in each instance. So he’s a long-hitter.

His last hole of the day was on Firethorn’s par-4 ninth (as he had started the round at No 10). “And I duffed my drive! My ball was heading straight for a watery grave. But, lucky for me, it ended up on a little island in the middle of the river! There was no way I was going to drop another ball under penalty so I waded into the river, got my feet wet, hit my second shot from the island up the fairway and ended up making bogey instead of double-bogey which made all the difference in the end!” Fun and games for sure.

“I’d also like to say how much nicer the courses are looking,” Bradley added.

Irene Farr won a closely contested ladies championship, decided on Stableford points over the 36 holes. She totalled 74 points (36-38) to count out Melanie Scholtz and multiple winner at club level, Valda Ford.

“It was just one of those weekends when I couldn’t do anything wrong,” said a delighted Irene. “I drove the ball well, putted well and just about did everything well. I’ve been playing golf for about 20 years and I love the game and now to win the club championship for the first time is so special.”
The other winners over the weekend were Mike Shaw (A Division best nett of 140), Anton Nel (B Division best nett of 150), Michael de Vos (C Division Stableford on 74 points oco from Joe Bester) and Murray Gilbert (Super Seniors on 72 points).

For a complete list of results, please visit https://bit.ly/4dxkCbO.

Written by Randpark member Grant Winter.