The 2023 Chronicle

Several team members participated in external running events, such as the Rhino Peak Challenge on 9 September, where Damian Watson, Ben Cheales and Lucien Baldry successfully completed a challenging 21km ascent, raising R25,650 for Rhino Peak beneficiaries. The weekly Piggly Wiggly Park Run outings proved effective in fostering camaraderie and tracking the runners’ progress, with the added incentive of a post-run breakfast and coffee off-campus. Lucien Baldry joined a race in the Eastern Cape, where he ran 26km from Kenton-On-Sea to Port Alfred. It was a tough event that required true grit, and his accomplishment was commendable. Our cross country team has not only excelled athletically but also represented Michaelhouse with pride, displaying exemplary manners and respect towards peers and coaches. The athletes’ commitment to the sport, especially considering their participation in other winter sports, like rugby and hockey, is truly admirable. Congratulations to all participants on their achievements. For the first time, this year Michaelhouse travelled to Pretoria where our first team played against Pretoria Boys High School at Waterkloof Golf Club. Despite facing tough competition in the PBHS boys, who were all low-handicap golfers, Michaelhouse managed to secure a hard-fought 3-3 draw. Our U16 golfers travelled to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to compete in the Grey High School Golf Festival. Despite tough weather conditions and even tougher competition, our boys played some impressive golf. We managed to finish in fifth place out of 13 teams. This year’s Douglas Cup was a hotly contested affair. Having last won the trophy in 2015, the Michaelhouse boys were eager to upset the Hilton team, who were better on paper. One might say that the build-up to the Douglas Cup started in the first term’s league matches, where Michaelhouse seemed to be narrowing the gap between us and Hilton. The day proved to be all it had been billed to be, with the first team fixture being decided over the last few holes of the day. Ultimately, we went on to win the fixture 14-10. It was fantastic to win the Douglas Cup for the first time in eight years, and it is hoped that it will reinvigorate Michaelhouse golf. Special thanks goes to Mr Craig Pieterse, who served as Master in Charge for the first six months of the year. Thanks also goes to Mr Ryan Strudwick for his continuous support of Michaelhouse golf, and for giving of his time to take boys out on to the golf course. A very special thank you to Mr Bradley Ross and Mr Phil Simmons and their respective teams at Bosch Hoek Golf Club and Gowrie Farm Golf Club. The support these two clubs have shown Michaelhouse golf cannot be quantified.

FINAL SENIOR TEAM RESULTS: First: Ruben Visagie 7th: Theo Apteker 16th: Mark Conway 24th: Jordan Baxter 29th: Lucien Baldry 45th: Chishala Kalenga 56th: Nathan Strachan

Despite not securing trophies this year, our team excelled in second place, showcasing dominance in the individual results. Ruben Visagie won the individual gold medal in the senior category. Kyle Heyns won the individual gold medal for first place and Uyanda Magadulela won the individual silver medal for second place in the junior category. At the final relay race, held at St Anne’s Diocesan College, our boys managed to retain their first places in both the senior and junior relay events.

GOLF

Staff Member in Charge: Mr Craig Pieterse, Mr Nkanyiso Ngcobo Team Captain: Michael Thornton Vice-Captains: Joshua Hoatson, Luke Jankowitz

AWARDS Colours: Christopher Angel

Half-Colours: Connor Brown, Matthew Carolan, Marc du Plessis, Grant Leslie, Michael Thornton, Louis Souchon PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATION KZN U18B: Christopher Angel SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS First: Joshua Hoatson Second: Connor Brown and Oliver Brown (tied)

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he first term saw the golf season kick off with the Midlands League. This league involves two rounds of fixtures against Hilton College, St Charles College and Maritzburg College. The first team won two of their four matches, and the second team all four of their matches. One of the highlights of the golf calendar is the first team trip to Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool. Here our boys are tested against the best schoolboy golfers in the country. This year we found the going tough, finishing ninth out of 12 teams.

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