“There’s no place like home…there’s no place like HOME!”
In the Wizard of OZ, Dorothy hooked up with the Straw Man, the Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion and they fought off the witch and her army to find OZ. One needed a brain, the other a heart and the lion was seeking courage; Dorothy just wanted to go home. In the end, all she had to do was click her heels three times and repeat the words, “there’s no place like home…there’s no place like home…there’s no place like home!” The next thing you knew she was back in Kansas. Well, Liezl and I didn’t go to OZ, but we did get a great break. Recharged, refreshed and ready, we return to a place better than Kansas!
Charl and his team completed our spring programme and the course looks fantastic!
Our tee refurbishment operation has really been a great success, leveling and enlarging surfaces on the par-3’s and now on par-4’s and 5’s. The greens are already back to normal cutting height and rolling like they are ready for the Open Championship. The rains that have fallen have greened up everything from here to Port Elizabeth (please send some to the Kruger and surrounds). After having the opportunity to play Steyn City, Leopard Creek and Avalon Estate in Mauritius with Ryan, I have seen some of the best golf has to offer – yet, the best IS right here! Well done, Charl, Danny, Fasie and all of the course team!
While the Clubhouse team also broke away for a deserved break, Christo got stuck into the course with Charl’s guys to add to his overall experience in the industry. Then he spent the next weeks on refurbishing the carts, from batteries to nuts and bolts.
These efforts behind the scenes not only keep us at the top of our class, they also extend the life of our course, our machines and our carts – saving thousands of Rands over time. That is NICE to come back to!
When we travel, we always take note of innovation, service ideas and simply, better ways to do what we do. We came HOME full of energy and filled with new and better ways to anticipate your needs and wants, our members and guests. The motivational sessions and sharing of ideas are already underway!
We want YOU! …to play with our PGA Professionals as we host out 1st
St Francis Links MEMBER Pro-am
No…not for the US Army! We want up to 30 members to play in the upcoming Southern and Eastern Cape PGA 2X2 Pro-AM to be played on Sunday afternoon, September 18th (dinner following) and Monday, September 19th (Prizegiving lunch following). This is a 1st time event for our region and we are the host Club! It has been agreed that we invite our members (first) to play with the regional professionals. They will also be competing for regional PGA Championship, Senior Championship and Apprentice Championship. R100 Raffle tickets are on sale NOW for a chance to play all of the top area courses from Fancourt to East London – value R100 000-00!
Contact the Golf Shop NOW as the field will be limited. Amateur entry fee: R800 Member entry fee: R500 (R325 with your own cart)
Ryan’s Back in Mauritius!
Ryan Dodds is ready to host you again – this time at an amazing new inland course called Avalon. Peter Matkovich has done it again. As the busiest and most successful golf course architect in Africa and Mauritius, he has recruited Ryan to the team and Ryan now oversees the Mauritian projects while retaining the Afrasia Bank Mauritius OPEN, as well. I think the island and Ryan have a thing going! The Avalon project features some of the most amazing colour on the island as Patrick Watson (who landscaped the Palace and more) is transforming the fields where tea is grown into the “Gardens of Avalon” There will be flowers everywhere! Kirsty is lined up to assist in the development of a wellness centre on the estate. He admits there are challenges as the rains come often; but when it shines, it shines! http://www.avalon.mu/en/index.html
...from the Matkovich website
A PASSSION FOR EXCELLENCE – A LEGACY THAT WILL LIVE ON FOREVER
Golf is not just about scoring. It is a walk in the park, an experience for all of the senses and hours of incomparable therapy. Golfers should leave the course with an irresistible urge to return. That’s why each and every one of the golf courses designed by Peter Matkovich is a special creation, enhancing the unique features of each site and the character of the land. Each course tells its own story, and even if they’re just a few years old, Peter Matkovich Golf Courses look as if they’ve been there forever.
Our 6th (and Final) Nicklaus Champion of Champions Qualifier!
Saturday, September 24 (The TOUR Championships)
ORDER OF MERIT- BEST THREE SCORES FROM SIX (PLAY A MINIMUM OF THREE EVENTS)
The Top FOUR point-getters from their best THREE qualifiers will represent St Francis Links at Serengeti!
Entry Fee: R75 per event
Last Chance! Nearly SOLD OUT!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Proudly Sponsored – ITEC SOLUTIONS will be 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!
(every Tuesday) – 10am Coffee Break for our lady members
September 7: Barry Hilton – a very special Curry Night
September 8: Standard Bank Golf Day – 10am
September 14: OPEN Wednesday – very special prices and prizes
September 21: Members and Family Get-together – 17h30 for 18h00
September 18-19: Southern and Eastern Cape Regional Finals and 2×2 Pro-AM
September 22: EP Sages
September 22-24: St Francis Bay Golf Club – annual Calamari Classic
October 30-November 6: Sunshine Tour returns with the Vodacom Origin’s of Golf FINALS
ST FRANCIS LINKS “MAJORS” AND “SPECIAL EVENTS” FOR 2016
Note the Date Changes for 2016:
April 9: 1st Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
April 23-24: Club Championships, Sean Botha and Janine VD Merwe, repeat Champions
May 29: Interestate Challenge at Mossel Bay (4th from 7)
June 4: Ladies 10th Annual Invitational – Helen Bridges and Jean Fynn, Champions
June 18: 2nd Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
July 9: Sanlam Cancer Challenge – SFL Qualifier
June 26: Inter- Estate Challenge at Oubaai
July 15-17: Men’s Invitational – Leslie Krause and Hermanus Potgieter, Champions
Proud Sponsors of the Ladies OPEN Weekend and the ANNUAL
July 17: 3rd Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
July 30: 4th Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
July 31: Inter-Estate Challenge at St Francis Links
August 6: 5th Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
August 8-23: Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed
August 21: Sanlam Cancer Challenge FINALS
August 21: Inter-Estate Challenge Simola (to be resheduled after rainout)
September 24: Final Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
September 30, October 1-2: Links Cup
October 2: Inter-Estate Challenge at Pezula NEW DATE
October 30: Inter-Estate Challenge at Goose Valley NEW DATE
October 30-November 6: Vodacom Origins of Golf FINALS (Sunshine Tour – course Closed)
November 19-20: Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend
November 25-27: Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Serengeti)
November 27: Inter-Estate Challenge FINALS at Pinnacle Point
December 9-11 – 10th Year Anniversary Activities (watch this space)
2016 International Events
US Masters – Augusta National, Georgia – April 7-10 – Danny Willett, Champion
US Open – Oakmont CC, Oakmont, Pennsylvania – June 16-19 – Dustin Johnson, Champion
Open Championship – Royal Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland – July 14-17 – Henrik Stenson, Champion
US PGA – Baltusrol (Lower Course), Springfield, New Jersey – July 28-31 – Jimmy Walker, Champion
The Ryder Cup – Hazeltine, Minnesota – September 30 to October 2
I think this will be an awesome read!
Dale Hayes says he has ticked another “Bucket List” wish off!
He wrote…
On Sale in the Golf Shop – get yours today!
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 
The St Francis Links Team