Mens Captain's Report
Anthony Barnard CAPTAIN'S LETTER - SEPTEMBER 2025
Dear Members of Gowrie Farm,
If golf teaches us anything, it’s that no two rounds are ever the same. The wind changes, the pin moves, and somehow, the rough seems to grow overnight. This past half-year at Gowrie Farm has been exactly like that - familiar in spirit, but full of surprises, new stories, and moments that will live long in our collective memory.
THE SPIRIT OF COMPETITION
The year kicked off with the Young Tom Morris Tournament, where our rising stars played fearless golf, as if nobody had told them that water hazards were supposed to be intimidating. The energy was electric - a glimpse into a future where Gowrie Farm names may one day grace the leaderboards of the biggest tours in the world.
The Club Championship was as dramatic as a playoff at The Masters. Hole after hole, the tension built, until finally Trevor Saulez claimed the title. Trevor, you didn’t just win - you gave us a lesson in focus, precision, and how to keep your nerve when half the gallery is trying to guess what club you’re hitting.
Hosting the SA U15 Championship was another proud moment. Watching those young players - some weighing less than their golf bags - hit towering drives and fearless approach shots reminded us all that golf’s next generation is in very safe (and very talented) hands.
NUMZAANS, LADIES & LAUGHTER
Our Numzaans have kept their foot on the pedal this year, playing hard, laughing harder, and somehow managing to combine competitiveness with legendary post-round “analysis sessions” in the clubhouse.
The Ladies section has been unstoppable - growing in numbers, sweeping up prizes, and proving once again that the shortest walk in golf is from the first tee to the winner’s podium when you’ve got talent and team spirit.
WELCOMING OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF GOLF
It’s a pleasure to introduce Jonathan Menteath as our new Director of Golf. Jonathan joins us with a wealth of experience, a passion for growing the game, and an enthusiasm that’s already contagious. He’s got big plans for player development, events, and making sure our golfing experience keeps getting better - whether you’re chasing trophies or just trying to break 100 without breaking a sweat.
REMEMBERING PHIL SIMMONS
This year also brought a loss that words can never fully capture. Phil Simmons was more than a member - he was part of the soul of Gowrie Farm.
Phil was the kind of man who could turn a frustrating round into the best day of your week. He had that rare gift of making everyone feel welcome, whether you were a scratch golfer or holding the club the wrong way around. His generosity, humour, and quiet encouragement lifted others in ways he probably never realised.
Earlier this year, we gathered for his benefit event - a day filled with laughter, stories, and the occasional wayward tee shot that Phil would have teased us about. Not long after, we said our final goodbye. But Phil’s legacy lives on every time a member helps a newcomer find their way around, shares a joke on the tee box, or stays to enjoy just one more drink with friends. That was Phil’s Gowrie - and it’s up to all of us to keep it alive.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
The calendar is brimming with excitement - the Vodacom Origins of Golf is currently in progress, the LottoStar Pro-Am is on the way, along with the legendary Dairy vs Beef showdown and the Numzaans vs Kheles rivalry match.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Every perfect putt and pristine fairway starts with the unseen effort of our teams. Moses and Matt, our greenkeeping maestros, deserve medals for keeping the course in championship condition week in and week out. Chris, Eve, and our front office crew continue to provide the warmest welcome in golf - whether you’re picking up a scorecard, a sleeve of balls, or just looking for someone to commiserate with after a triple bogey.
THE GOWRIE WAY
Gowrie Farm has never been just about golf. It’s about the sun rising over the dam, the smell of freshly cut greens, and the laughter echoing from the clubhouse. It’s about that impossible par save you’ll tell the story of for years, and the friendships forged somewhere between the first tee and the final putt.
So here’s to the rest of the year - may your drives be long, your putts be true, and your excuses for bad holes be both creative and convincing.
See you on the course.
Anthony Barnard
