What an absolute cracker of a weekend! On Friday while the Proteas were putting the finishing touches on a glorious Test win over the Aussies, I was making my way down to the Durban north coast for the Gary Player Invitational at the Zimbali Golf Estate.

It was my first time at the event which has just concluded for the 12th time, and after the great time I just had, I sure hope it isn’t my last!

The format of the competition sees a unique grouping of tour pros, senior pros, celebrities and prominent business individuals all competing together. Each four ball has one of each with 8 groups playing a betterball format. But first up on the Friday it was the Pro-Am where members of the media as well as sponsors got to get involved in the fun. As my hand injury is still limiting me in playing sport, I spent the afternoon walking the course and watching a few of the groups. I met up with Sports Illustrated’s larger than life rugby man Schalk Jonker, his fourball had just butchered the 17th hole in true hacker style and also added a sneaky little ‘bossie’ on route to the green which all made for a rather colourful first impression.

Weekend wingman - Schalk Jonker.

Atrocious golf and with mates who put more in the rough than their drives aside, Schalk was the perfect guy to hang out with at this event, something that became very apparent to me after a couple of beers at the 19th. Perhaps lacking some of the real big names of previous years, the high profile attendees at the event made for many a head turning moment with notables outnumbering the Joe Publics at any given moment.

Gary eyeing up another opportunity to create some awesome.

From golf attire to black tie, Friday night was all about the Gala Dinner and the auction which is always a big attraction to the event. Things kicked off with a Johnnie Walker Blue Label welcome at the hotel reception, something that brilliantly set the tone for the rest of the night.

Blue Label - winning.

Outside of the auction, which saw great memorabilia and sporting packages going for proper big money, Jeanie D was a rather impressive MC, Jesper Parnevic entertained the crowd with some great golfing stories, but the real highlight was the Drakensburg Boys Choir. I always thought these kids were a vocal outfit specialising in traditional choir numbers, well I couldn’t have been more wrong. Though that may be their background, they busted out a whole bunch of moves and song choices. One little oke even broke into a breakdance while the rest of them finished of songs with elaborate gangster hand signs. Seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if they incorporate turntables into the mix soon, they were verging on beat boxing at one stage!

Supersport's Matt Pearce interviewing Craig Joubert.

With this on the go, I was enjoying the various labels of the Johnny Walker range. The Gold Label that was brought out after dinner was pretty incredible, adding to the company of table 23 with my new friends from the SABC entertainment show Flash who were there to interview the guests.

Table 23 - good times.

Onto the Saturday and the start of the tournament proper in rather difficult conditions. Overcast skies and pumping wind didn’t make it the greatest day out on the course, but the 9th green did make the ideal spot near the media centre to watch all the players and share some more laughs with Schalk, and his mate who might play golf with some two ply in his bag.

Scotland's Carly Booth inspiring this gent to reach for the blackberry.

I was scheduled to interview some of the guys as they finished their round, but instead opted to join the Gary Player putting clinic with Johnnie Walker which saw Gary take a small group from the media to the practice green where he shared some putting insights, and in true Gary fashion, a whole bunch of other stuff about life in general. Luckily putting is still one thing I’m physically capable of doing, just as well as the prize for the comp was a limited edition bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label in ultra sexy packaging.

Suitable incentive to find the bottom of the cup.

After getting shown the line by GP who started the comp off, I then knocked it cold and with that won the prize.

Now remember, the more you drink the luckier you get with finding women attractive.

Naturally I got the Black Knight to sign it and I now have a piece of very valuable sporting memorabilia. Maybe I’ll put it up for auction in a few years time if I get invited back!

With that silver signature, this is the most incredible bottle of whisky in the world.

Putting ‘playerclass’ done and dusted, it was then time to get ready for the Saturday night jol at the hotel. Ably joined by Schalk and Gareth Cliff, we got stuck into the Johnnie Blacks and really enjoyed another awesome evening. Matt Pearce was the MC and did a great job in engaging and entertaining the large crowd.

Jonny Clegg rocking the party.

Jonny Clegg and his band then got everyone going with a kickass performance, but we became a whole lot more interested by the characters at the event. Apart from chatting to the various sports individuals, Gareth, Schalk and I met this guy Swifty.

Swifty, this rusty old bastard had us in stitches all night.

I back myself in having a decent mastery of the English language, but Swifty was in a whole different league dazzling us with one liners that would make a fair few blush.

Schalk and Patricia - she's still got it going on.

We then met Patricia Lewis, ya, the one and only. She lives at Zimbali now with her husband. But as striking as Patricia still is, the star of the Saturday night party was Scottish golfer Carly Booth (google her).

Screw your one arm push ups Gary!

Jeepers, this chick was a whole new level of party animal with some of the craziest dance moves I have ever seen. She even pulled out the worm at one stage as everyone else just stood back for her. She is the kind of golf pro the world needs more of, not an unattractive girl by any stretch of the imagination, I really hope her career goes from strength to strength as I would love to hear of her continuing to do the worm at more high profile competitions in future.

Gary Player Invitational Dance-off champion - Carly Booth.

Another golfer who doesn’t go to bed as early as Gary Player is James Kamte. A solid guy on the course, he gives it a good go off the course too and was a great addition to the night.

James Kamte - he didn't learn this from Gary.

So Patricia Lewis or the chick doing hand stands?

Patricia Lewis, no.1 every time.

Polly? Ya, Patricia Lewis anyday...

Onto the final day and more golf in far more benign conditions. Conditions that the fourball of George Coetzee, Mark James, Shaun Pollock and Wessel Witthuhn took full advantage extending their overnight lead and eventually running away with it.

The event raised almost R2 million for their deserving charities which again shows what sport does across all aspects of life. I also benefited hugely from this event and had a weekend I shall not soon forget.

Big thanks to Johnnie Walker for having me there for it, and Gary, we all love you.

If you are on twitter I strongly recommend you follow the people who made this weekend such a good laugh. @SI_Schalk , @GarethCliff , @SlickTiger , @RoxyBurger , @AlvinReeves , @ElanaAfrika , @MarcForrest

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