7th Golf Hall of Fame Induction Banquet in Plett 

Mark McNulty welcomed Denis Watson into the Golf Hall of Fame ‘club’ at a wonderful evening held in conjunction with the SA Senior Open at Plettenberg Bay reminding us that Watson’s win in the US Senior Open was the pinnacle of his career.

Over 160 golf professionals, politicians, and Captains of Industry were entertained by stories concerning the induction of H. Gordon-Stewart who dominated golf for 20 years from 1909, Arthur Stewart who won both the SA Amateur and Open as an amateur, Esther Gaillie, a great golfer in her own right, for her administration contribution, and Angela Hockey, a multiple SA Ladies champion.

A minutes silence was held for Arnold Palmer, Wayne Westner, Simon Hobday, Mary Clemence, Judy Angel, and Carol Goldsbury. Nomads were awarded the Harry Brews award for their selfless contribution to the betterment of golf, whilst Judy Angel, introduced by Hugh Baiocchi and legendary US player, Jane Blalock, was given a special award for her contribution both playing and teaching.

Listening to Denis Watson, who was returning to South Africa for the first time in 30 years to receive his award, we were struck by his medical battles and numerous operations to be able to compete again at the height of his career following his runner-up in the US Open, was a real eye opener.

At the 1985 US Open, Watson waited 13 seconds for his ball to fall into the hole, and was directed to wait after informing his playing partner, Tim Simpson, that his ball was moving. However an officious official rushed down and immediately insisted that Watson be penalised two shots. Upset, Watson dropped 6 shots over the next five holes, and lost the US Open by one shot. This penalty was shortly thereafter reduced to one shot, but we were left wondering whether he was actually the champion and whether would have been penalised two shots if he had putted a ‘moving’ ball.

The induction of deserving players and administrators into the Golf Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of the careers of many of these inductees where they are only considered for induction when the are over 40.

What was remarkable was how many Hall of Fame Inductees and SA Open winners were in attendance, including Dale Hayes, Mark McNulty, Sally Little, Hugh Baiocchi, John Bland, Denis Hutchinson, James Kingston, Roger Wessels, and Denis Watson, as well as many winners on the Sunshine Tour.

At the end of the day, it was once again the esteem and desire players hold their induction into the 7th Southern Africa Golf Hall of Fame ‘club’ which again came to the fore.