The Origins and History

It was not long after the Natal and Western Province Nomads Club were formed in 1963 and 1965 respectively that the suggestion of a "National " Tournament was conceived and came into being at Kyalami Country Club in 1966 under the Coordinatorship of Mike Florance. 

The occasion was so successful and enjoyable that all concerned vowed that it should become an annual event, which has been the case ever since. The publicity generated by this and subsequent early Nationals was of great importance to Nomads in that it made the formation of new clubs so much easier. In fact the staging of the first National Tournament must be regarded as a major turning point in the history of the Club. That we, in 2012, will be experiencing our 47th National Tournament is living tribute to the success of the concept.

So it is that since April 1966 an increasingly large band of Nomads have migrated annually to various centres for the highlight of the Nomadic year - the Nomads National Tournament. These occasions are put together by teams of dedicated Nomads prepared to give up large slices of their personal time over the course of approximately two years, to ensure that all participants are adequately catered for and, dare one say, pampered. These days with often 432 or more players in the field each year, and in many cases accompanied by their partners, it is no mean feat to cater for and accommodate, transport and entertain such a large group over the course of a week. 

The National Tournament is responsible for starting strong bonds of friendship which have developed between Nomads throughout the country, bonds which are strengthened with each successive Tournament.

The initial concept was a 3 day event for approximately 200 players. 
Various formats have been attempted since with the number of contestants varying from 504 players playing 4 days out of 7 on a single course with a field of 288 per day to 540 players playing 4 days out of 5 over 2 courses. In theory all players play two morning and two afternoon games, one of each pair off the 1st tee and the other being off the 10th tee. Additionally players shall not play all their rounds on consecutive days if the Nationals is held on one course nor will they have more than 2 games or more than one day off consecutively.

On several occasions when there has been a sufficiently large excess of prospective entrants for the National Tournament a "Fringe", "Players" or "Super 4" Tournament has been organised. In some instances the "Fringe" was played on one course whereas in the other cases these Tournaments were conducted at multiple venues.

Two-course Tournaments have been undertaken on 4 occasions for Nationals - 
                                    1973 at Randpark & Windsor Courses
                                    2000 at Margate & Southbroom courses
                                    2004 at Nelspruit & White River courses
and                            2005 at Mowbray & Rondebosch courses  

Good traditions are difficult to break so let us look forward to many other National Tournament venues, to friendships about to be made or renewed and to remember those gentlemen who provided the facility through their commitment to Nomads.

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