The Club Managers, PGA Professionals and Course Superintendents do talk to each other! 
This past Tuesday, our own Charl Blaauw, who is President of the Garden Route Turf and Club Association, hosted the year-end meeting here at St Francis Links. The turnout was good and the speakers were informative.
I was especially pleased to here about a product for holding the shape of a bunker with a material that allows water through without the problem of silting and blocked drains. While we are lucky on the one side that our bunkers drain (unless the water table rises above them at 13 and 14 in flood), our damage comes from wind when, over time, it carves the downwind sides out of the bunkers, creating steep faces and unplayable lies. We are constantly working on the bunkers to repair the damage form the wind. This product, though expensive in the construction phase, is proving to be a real benefit over time. We will be looking at our options going forward. Until then, we are on a mission to re-establish the playable shapes in all our bunkers.
I managed to hold their attention with a talk that combined two presentations – one that Liezl did for the National ARC (Association of Residential Communities) and another that I did at the Golf Summit. My talk for the Sups and Club Managers was centered on teamwork, communication and the “WHY” in what we do. A great speaker, Simon Sinek has prodeuced some great talks that can be seen on You Tube or TED. His talk on understanding the WHY is what separated great businesses from businesses. Check it out: https://youtu.be/u4ZoJKF_VuA
Then a presentation was given on chemicals that are used for everything from disease to insects that effects the plant and turf on our courses. It was during that talk that I gained more appreciation for the science known as agronomy. Our top Sups are not greens-keepers, their a bunch of chemists who must make the correct deductions when the turf is ailing – sometimes before the turf is ailing. Benny Buys, who started in the business more that 25 years ago as a Biology teacher, before representing two major turf chemical companies, presented the subject well.
We run a business, a big business with big costs that lead to good revenues when our jobs are performed at the highest levels. Charl is one of the best in the business. The people who speak at the conferences should be heard for the benefit of all. I have never attended a meeting where I felt let down by a presentation. At the end of this month’s session, veteran in the industry Graham Corbett, who introduced the Audobon Certification to South Africa, first at Royal Johnnesburg and then at The Links at Fancourt, was awarded honorary life membership in the Association.
Personally, I think we do a pretty great job looking after the natural elements here…and we will keep on with it! We are are proud of Charl and his team and appreciated having the final meeting of theyear here once again. The attendees followed the meeting with a room full of Santa burgers and golf.
In the top left photo, Charl presented Graham with his award. Benny explained the basics, the boys had a burger and a breeze!
This popular Charity Day benefitting the Kromme Enviro Trust needs your support. Played on the Par-3 course with and Amazing Race component, is fun for the entire family. Hole sponsorships at R1500 also give the sponsor reduced rates for adding a team. Contact Maggie Langlands for more information!
Last year’s event was a smash!
The Father-Son returns to St Francis Links
Our member, Chris Kelway and his son and father-to-be, Nick brought their friends back to St Francis Links for their 5th annual tournament and bonding weekend. The overall title, combining individual Stableford scores each day, was won by the Kelways in resounding fashion. On the second day, the fathers played an alliance against the sons and, for the second straight year, the boys were bragging.
I am highlighting the event because it has proven to be a great Father-SON time together – do it while you can! Invite your Dads or your Sons and let us do the rest, in this case, down to MY burgers and beans! Yeehah!
From the shoot-out to trophy presentation, it was a non-stop affair!
There is more worth reading!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Happy to all of our members with birthdays this week
21 November – Graham Hall
23 November – Charl Blaauw, Mel Maubec
24 November – Alison Bosch, Anton Stafley, Johannes Hoffman
25 November – Ernest Bendeman, Jan Botha
26 November – Michael Bridge
28 November – Danille Guera
Click HERE for the entire Festive Season Itinerary!
More to remember!
This was our best year to date in almost every way:
- We finished our 120th home on the estate (55% permanently occupied)
- 21 homes have been completed this year.
- 9 homes are under construction
- 20 homes are in the planning or application stages
- We are financially sound with great lifestyle choices for the entire family
- We just played our most rounds in a single year!
- Our golf rounds featured golfers from more than 20 different countries – from Wisconsin to New South Wales
- Over R1M raised for charity this year
- We moved up in the nation ratings to No. 7 in Golf Digest
- The UK rates us No. 6
- The Swedish press rate us No.4
- With our members, No. 1
Itec are our sponsors for OPEN Wednesday (2nd Wednesday) with meat and added prizes. Invite your friends to enjoy SA’s best with special rates for golf, snacks after the game and great prizes – Hey, Curry Night follows – stay or take away!
Monday Roll-up! Pitch up and play (9 holes or 18 Par-3 from 2pm) let’s add you to the What’s app group
All day Saturdays: Morning and afternoon fields – the afternoon field will be booked from 12 noon backwards with emphasis on “ready golf”
Nov 22 Wednesday School Party after golf (Awards Night)
Nov 27 Windhoek Lager International Pairs (here)
Nov 29 Road Trip to Fynbos
ST FRANCIS LINKS “MAJORS-SPECIAL EVENTS” & RESULTS FOR 2017
Jan 2-3 Men’s Member-Member, St Francis Bay wins by .18 of a point! Well done!
Jan 7-8 The Pam Golding Annual, Derek Ryan and Scott Keevy, Champions
Mar 11 Greensomes over 18 holes (NEW) Sandra Marais/Ingvild Stiansen; Mauro Nettl/Yan Coesens
Apr 28-30 Club Championships – Ralph Richardson and Helen Bridges, Champions
May 7 Inter-Estate Challange (St Francis Links)
May 18-19 Woodlands’ Dairy Golf Days for HOSPICE R400 000-00 raised for Hospice
May 20 Stulting School Day R280 000-00 raised on the day
May 27 Foursomes over 18 holes (NEW) Margot McGregor and Dr Lynn Slogrove, Champions
Jun 3 Ladies’ Invitational Dr Lynn Slogrove and Noeline de Ridder, Champions
Jun 10 Sanlam – Links Qualifier
Jul 2-3 National Junior Order of Merit Wilco Nienaber, Champion (ranked No. 3 in SA)
Jul 20-23 Men’s Invitational Derek Ryan and Pieter Jerling, Champions
Jul 23-25 The Annual “Road Trip” Brian Wessels, Individual and Pards Cup Champion
Aug 6 Sanlam Cancer FINALS at St Francis Links, Gillian Hammond finished 2nd Nationally
Aug 8-23 Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed
Sep 29-Oct 1 Links Cup – South Africa (29-19)
October 5 Els for Autism at St Francis Links R232 000 raised on the day
Nov 11-12 Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend (144 players)
Dec 2 Ladies’ Member-Member (PLEASE ENTER)
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 
The St Francis Links Team