Selborne's designer gets top award - March 2008

Compleat Golfer recently held its Annual Awards Dinner, a glittering black tie event in Johannesburg at which the who’s who in golf were present. At the dinner Selborne's founder and course designer, Denis Barker, was presented with the Contribution to the Golf Industry award.

The golf course has been open for more than 20 years, yet it contiunes to be ranked among the top 30 in South Africa despite the influx of new courses over the last decade. This is a tribute to a combination of Barker's design work, the natural flow of the terrain in creating variety, and the attractive aesthetics.

Here is a full list of the main awards: Golfer of the Year - Richard Sterne – (Two tournament wins - 2007 Vodacom Championship & 2007 Celtic Manor Wales Open on the European Tour) & a move in the World Rankings from 196 in December 2006 to 44 at end December 2007.) Contribution to Golf – South African Golf Foundation Contribution to the Golf Industry – Denis Barker, Selborne Golf Estate (Created the first Golf Estate in SA in 1987) Junior Golfer of the Year – Dyllan Frittelli (Winner of 2008 World Junior Championship [15-17 years]) Amateur Golfer of the Year – Louis de Jager (2007 N Gauteng Etonic Open Champion, SA Amateur Strokeplay Champion, SA Amateur Champion, Boland Open Champion and represented SA in Test Matches against France, Uganda and Argentina). Ladies Amateur Golfer of the Year – Ashleigh Simon (Represented SA as an amateur at Women's World Cup of Golf, Won the SA Open at Durban CC as an amateur for the 2nd time, the Sanlam SA Women's Amateur Strokeplay title at George for a 4th consecutive year, the Sanlam SA Women's Amateur Matchplay for a 3rd time and then represented SA at the Acer 5 Nations Tournament before turning professional). PGA Professional of the Year – Roy Yates, Blair Athol (He’s a professional in the true sense of the word. He’s played tournament golf; he’s been a club professional; a teacher; a golf director and most recently a club manager. Having worked in the industry for over 40 years he’s a deserving winner.) Teaching Professional of the Year – Derek James, Southbroom (Renowned as the finest short game teacher in South Africa) Sunshine Tour Order of Merit Winner – James Kingston (Winner of the 2007 SAA Open and one of the most consistent players in Europe. He finished the 2007 season ranked 83rd on the money list with eight top-10 finishes.) Sunshine Tour Rookie of the Year – Ross McGowan (Turned Pro in January 2006. This is the 3rd foreigner to win the Sunshine Tour Rookie Honours. Others include Johan Edfors of Sweden (2004) & Garry Houston of Wales (2005)). Disabled Golfer of the Year – Robin Singh ReMax Long Drive Championship – Nathaniel Barnes Golf Journalist of the Year – Jon Swift, The Citizen. (A seasoned journalist who has worked for various publications over the years, Jon first covered golf in 1974, thirty-four years ago!) Club Manager of the Year – Paul Leishman, Glendower Golf Club Greenkeeper of the Year – Graham Corbett, Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club