Ingrid Diesel, leader, motivator, fighter and friend…
Ingrid Diesel and I worked together at Fancourt for nearly 7 years. At that time, she was the right and left hand to the man who brought me to South Africa, Billy Freer. In 1994, Dr Hasso and Sabine Plattner secured the purchase of Fancourt. Billy, who fought for years to see Fancourt through difficult financial times, accepted a new position in the USA, probably knowing the new regime would seek new leadership. Ingrid, with her knowledge of the Estate and Resort soon became Mrs Plattner’s confidant and right hand. Ingrid led a team that saw Fancourt move on from the hub of the Garden Route to one of the world’s best, receiving national and international accolades year after year. With Ingrid at the helm and the Plattner’s financial support and vision, Fancourt grew in every direction, from real estate to new amenities. Ingrid was rewarded for her efforts by being nominated with South Africa’s most influential women as Businesswoman of the Year.
The 2004 finalists were: Ingrid Diesel, resort general manager & CEO pf the Fancourt Hotel & Country Club Estate; Sindi Mabaso, chief financial officer of Transnet; Futhi Mtoba, deputy chairperson of Deloitte (the winner); Ann Nurock, CEO of Grey Worldwide South Africa; and Suzanne Ravenall, CEO of IDCS Beyond Outsourcing.
After 18 years at Fancourt, Ingrid retired (for a very short time) before taking the lead at Pezula when a “shot of life” was needed most. She formed her own consultancy and events company and was off and running again. Her children were blessed to have her as Mom and mentor. Her friends benefited from her leadership and loyalty.
Ingrid succumbed to cancer last week after only two months since it was detected again. Ingrid had survived a life-threatening battle a few years ago and led, by example, the fight against it. She was admired by women (and men) for her courage and strength as she battled through treatment after treatment. She and her partner, Barry Richards, were a great team. She probably was instrumental in reminding the world who he was, a world-class cricketer, from a time when SA was outside looking in. They traveled the world, shared hundreds of games of golf and were obviously great for each other.
Ingrid and Barry with her grandchild
You were a good lady, Ingrid! I’ll miss you!
The Cunningham’s Celebrate 41!
I caught a post where Brian and Sandy Cunningham were toasting their years together. They have been with family in the USA for months and are now traveling to Texas. Happy, Happy 41st Anniversary. Sandy, you are a champion for hanging in there!
It’s time to welcome the ladies back to St Francis Bay!
Special thanks to Richard Arderne (Pam Golding Properties), Bay Union (our insurers at SFL) and Dirk Ellis motors for leading a great list of sponsors for this weekend’s Pam Golding Ladies’ Open Weekend at St Francis Links on Saturday and St Francis Bay on Sunday. Nearly 100 ladies from all over SA will be here for great golf, entertainment and good times!
Links Majors, Special Events and Results for 2018
Jan 2-3 The Pam Golding Annual (St Francis Bay wins – the overall is tied 6 games each)
Jan 5-6 Men’s Member/Member Partnership, Chris and Jandré Lessing, Champions
Jan 20 Windhoek Lager International Pairs (3rd Qualifying), Percy Owen and Norman Dyer
Jan 27-28 EP Champs (course closed) Altin VD Merwe, Strokeplay Medalist (74-68=142)
Feb 3-4 EP Champs (semi-finals and finals) Naldo Claassens, Champion; Hugo Maritz, Plate Winner
Feb 14 Couples/Mixed Golf – Valentine’s Dinner Ronnie and Sally Nienaber, best members
Mar 10 Greensomes over 18 holes Pete Maskew and John Wilson, Champions on 39pts
Apr 22-26 National Senior Inter-Provincials Central Gauteng, Senior Champions; Southern Cape, Super-Senior Champions
May 5-6 Club Championships, Lynn Slogrove and Brent Vos, Champions
May 13-16 Senior Women’s Nationals (SFL and SFBGC) , Free State wins the team title, Maggie Minnie (Boland), gross champion.
May 18-20 St Francis Bridge Invitational Everyone was a winner!
May 20 Nomads Monthly Game (11am Shotgun) 66 in the field
May 24-25 Woodland’s Golf Days 96 players on Thursday and 112 on Friday! HOSPICE wins
May 26 Foursomes over 18 holes Johann Spangenberg and Tom Grimsley; Lynn Slogrove and Margot McGregor
June 2 Ladies’ Invitational, Sandra Marais and Sonette Korff, Champions
June 16 Quarterly Couples/Mixed – US Open – re-scheduled
June 17 Father’s Day Golf and Lunch
June 21 EP Seniors
June 25-26 Nomads Coastal NOoM, Barend Botha over Aiden Senger, playoff 143 gross
July 7 The Inaugural Muirfield Day (foursomes and four balls) everyone was a winner!
July 20-22 Men’s Invitational, Hein Spangenberg and Eddie Nel, 98 points
Aug 20 to
Sept 4 Spring Programme (Club Closed)
Sep 23-29 Vodacom Origins of Golf (regional Finals) Alex Haindl – 12 Under Par
Oct 20-21 Links Cup South Africa wins 23-21
Nov 10-11 Pam Golding Ladies’ Open Weekend
Dec 1 Ladies’ Member- Member Partnership
Dec 8 Par-3 Championships
Dec 14-15 Pam Golding Annual (SFBGC host)
Dec 17 Kromme Trust Amazing Race
Dec 18 Food and Wine Festival
Dec 22 NSRI Golf Day and Pro Shop Pop a Balloon Sale
Jan 3-4 Men’s Member-Member Partnership
More to Come!
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, sometimes 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”
Monday Men’s Book Club – 5pm in Jack’s Bar (no reading required)
Ladies’ Tea (and Coffee) – Every Tuesday at 10am on the Veranda
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE!
Santa and the Links TEAM