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ESTATE NEWS

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY BLUE

VALLEY GOLF AND COUNTRY

CLUB

ur beautiful Gary Player signature
golf course turns 21 this year. I have
Ofond memories of playing at Blue
Valley (formerly Samrand Golf Club) in 1999.
In those days four balls could bring their
own caddies and they were generally staff
members looking to make some extra cash
on the weekend.
Even back in those days, you just knew
that Blue Valley was going to be one of the
premier courses in Gauteng. In the Compleat
Golfer magazine in 2006, Blue Valley made it
into their Top 20 courses in South Africa. A
fantastic achievement to say the least.
In 2016, Blue Valley held the prestigious Men’s
South African Amateur stroke play event
and this attracted players from all over the
2003 Committee, Back left to right: Srini Moddley; Leon Heydenrech;Niel Rall;Iain Pepper and Steve Grundlingh - Front
world. Some of these amateurs have gone left to right: Eric Langton (Club Captain); Major Amin; Anita Gouws (Lady Captain) and Dhiren Mehta
on to become seasoned professionals on the Buynder is our latest golfer to go overseas on class and with a fantastic Clubhouse and
Sunshine and European Tours. Blue Valley a golfing scholarship and we wish him well in recently opened coffee shop, why would you
has also hosted a number of IGT and Senior the future. Alessio Graziani is tipped to follow not want to be a part of the Blue Valley golfing
Sunshine Tour events further confirming Otto to the USA and we wish him the very family?
our status as one of the leading courses in best for 2020.
Gauteng.
The Mad Mixed event will be held on Sunday
Our Annual Club Championships take place 23 February. This fun day is aimed at non-
One of our former residents, Mark Murless on Saturday, 14 and Sunday 15 March, and we golfers who want to dip their toes into the
(also a former SA Amateur winner in 1995 encourage all members to enter. As this is our wonderful game of golf. Non-golfers will be
and a Springbok golfer) won a number of 21st birthday, we aim to make it a memorable paired with a golfer and the event is open to
times on the Sunshine Tour and also played weekend. The following Saturday, 21 March is all who would like to participate. This includes
in the Dunhill Links European Tour event at our Captains’ Cup / Ladies’ Putter tournament, juniors, ladies and non-golfers. The event is
St Andrews. He also represented Blue Valley and this will be followed by our annual dinner managed by Anita Gouws (082 654 4734)
at the WGC tournament in China where Phil and prize giving where all members are urged and Winda Austin-Loeve (Ladies’ Captain: 083
Mickelson prevailed. Pat Lowth, our former to attend. It should be a day and night to 301 4905) who do a superb job in ensuring
long-time Golf Director also won the South remember. This is also Human Rights Day so everyone has a great time. If you would like
African Seniors at Mafeking in 2002. everyone will have the day off to celebrate. to play or know more about the Mad Mixed,
please contact Anita or Winda.
On the amateur front, Michael vd Venter The 2020 club subscription fees have also
won National Honours before embarking on been released for 2020 and Blue Valley The various leagues have now started to tee
a golfing scholarship in America. He is now remains one of the most reasonably priced off. The Men’s Handicap league and Senior
a successful businessman in Texas. Otto van clubs to play golf at. Our facilities are world Scratch league started in January and the
Ladies’ League tees off in March. We wish
all our teams the very best of luck in their
endeavour to bring home the various league
2003 – 2014 Men’s Captains, Left to Right: Trevor Currie; Eric Langton; Peter Corna and Anton Jacobsz trophies.

In closing, I would also like everyone to
remember those members and residents who
have passed on in the last 21 years. As we
celebrate our birthday, let’s not forget those
who made Blue Valley such a special place.
Enjoy the nostalgic photographs of yesteryear
and I look forward to seeing more of you on
the golf course. BV

Trevor Currie

Blue Valley Club Captain

BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 1 2020 • 9