In the Central A league Amanzimtoti pulled off a victory in the last round of fixtures to ensure that the race to the title is the closest it has been for a number of years. Kloof A and Durban Country Club A are level on 9 points and are only separated by a half a game point. Are we headed for a repeat of a few years ago when the same two teams could not be separated and had to go to a playoff which ended 6-6 and only a sudden-death playoff between Jono Broomhead and Byron Coetsee could separate the eventual winners, Kloof.

All eyes will be on Victoria Country Club on 25 August when DCC take on the hosts and Kloof face off against Umhlali A to decide who will be crowned 2024 League Champion. In the remaining matches Toti A play Cotswold A and Royal Durban A play already relegated Maritzburg Golf Club A. Results in these matches will decide who will finish 3^rd in a very competitive league season.

In the Central B League Zimbali have been the standout team this year. Their “Executive Chairman” Steve Phytides has led them to an unbeaten season thus far. They cannot be caught and will be promoted in 2025. Kloof C host the day where Champions Zimbali will play Bluff A who were promoted from the C league in 2024 and have had a good season, lying 3^rd to date. In the other two fixtures, Simbithi will be playing bottom placed team Royal Durban B. In the remaining match Kloof B will take on Kloof C in what can only be called a long-awaited duel for the bragging rights. Both teams are well matched and I am sure the post-match celebrations will be one for the record books. Zululand have a bye and will finish 2^nd as they cannot be caught by Bluff A.

In the Central C league, Umhali B will host the last set of fixtures for the year. eThekwini A will play KZN Midlands A in a match that will likely decide the league winner. eThekwini hold a 1 point advantage and only need a draw to win the league. KZN Midlands will hope to overturn that deficit with a win to get promoted at the first time of asking. Waiting in the wings is Toti B. If Toti B win their remaining game against Cotswold B and KZN Midlands win, the league will be decide by game points. KZN Midlands currently hold a 3 game point advantage. The hosts Umhlali will play Central Durban in the remaining fixture. Bluff B have a bye.

In the Allerton A league Toti host the final round of fixtures. Last season Toti did Kloof a favour and Beat Royal Durban on the last day to hand Kloof the league. This year they ended Kloof’s remote hopes of making it two titles in a row, when then narrowly beat Kloof 6.5 to 5.5 in the penultimate fixture. This handed the title to the Unbeaten Cotswold Downs, who have had an impressive season to date. Cotswold will close the season off with a fixture against Royal Durban who are placed 4^th. Kloof will look to end the season on a high and consolidate 2^nd place when they face Athlone. 6^th placed Toti play Midlands and victory could put them into 3^rd place. In the final match Umkomaas will play Maidstone to decide the relegation place.

In the Allerton B league, Central Durban host the final round of fixtures. They host Alliance in a battle of the Windsor Park clubs. eThekwini have been crowned champions and will be promoted in 2025. Their final fixture will be against Simbithi who will try to end eThekwini’s unbeaten run. Alliance and Simbithi both have 7 points and will look to add 2 points for the win to secure 2^nd place on the league table.

Greater Durban currently occupy 2^nd place. They have a bye and will hope results go their way to remain 2^nd in the league. Unfortunately, Umhlali have withdrawn from the league and Bluff will have a walk-over in their final fixture.

Good luck for the last round of fixtures and we look forward to announcing the outcomes of the 2024 season. Thank you to all the clubs and captains for the support this year.