NEWS
50 not out for Jimmy Sales
Earlier this month, Jimmy Sales reached yet another remarkable milestone – 50 years as a Nomad.
The Easterns stalwart will receive his 50-year tie in October, when he plays in his 552nd game. And Sales has no intention of slowing down – and just 72 years old he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
“These days I only play once a week and my handicap has suffered,” he explains. “I certainly don’t hit it as far as I used to, when I was a decent golfer, but with the rules changing to allow players to go off the forward tees, I can’t see any reason why I’ll stop. I’m still off the back tees for now, but there will come a time when I move forward.”
Sales began his Nomads career in 1971 when he joined his father at Northerns. However, with a career in the SANDF, he moved around a little, including spells at Natal, Western Province and, eventually, Easterns, where has been since 1978, including as captain in 1991.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie most of all,” he says. “I’ve made so many friends from the last 50 years at Nomads – all across the country and even abroad.
Next month Sales will set another record that will take some beating. At Champagne Sports the honorary Nomad will attend his 50th Nationals tournament in a row.
“I’ve been involved in Golforama for so long that it’s part of who I am. I look at the current professional golfers like they are my kids- because I’ve watched them grow up in front of me. It’s been a privilege and a passion to help Nomads raise money for junior golf and golf development.”