WOW! What great support!
This is what I sent to my department heads after the Els for Autism Day
because I was soooo proud of the effort!
Great Day!
When I walked into the kitchen last night to thank the team for a great dinner, I really had a tear in my eye. The massive effort to serve a great dinner with great service (from all who helped to get it all out) followed another great day of golf on a course that is truly world-class.
That what it was – a world-class effort by the entire Links team – right down to Pietie who started early and made two staff deliveries last night.
Yesterday’s success on our part led to another massive fundraising result from our guest’s part. Nico van Rensburg, representing Ernie Els and Els for Autism will certainly be sharing our great story with Ernie and with golfers wherever he travels.
There is nothing more satisfying than knowing we did our best and our best was better than the rest!
Keep it up with every opportunity you (and we) have to shine and impress! Start with a smile!
Oakmont – Where Ernie won his 1st Major!
Oakmont CC, The US OPEN, June 16-19, 2016
In 1994, I was the PGA Director of Golf at Fancourt and Ernie Els was our man on TOUR. While I was at Fancourt, we played cross-country golf with Ernie, night golf with Ernie, started the Els Invitational with Annie Lawson for Ernie’s golfers and shared many a good round and good times. When Ernie hit it left of the 18th fairway on the final hole of the ’94 US Open, Jack Nicklaus was in the booth doing commentary (after winning his 4th and final US Open at Oakmont in 1980). I’ll never forget Ernie chipping out from the left rough and coming to rest in a sand-filled divot. The great man stated on TV that it should be ruled GUR (36 yrs later and still not). Ernie only got it to the front edge of the green and his bogey 5 forced a three-way playoff with Loren Roberts and Colin Montomerie. Ernie bettered Colin in two US Open playoffs. On Monday, we watched as Ernie flew the 2nd green and made triple – arg! but he fought back to 2-over and a 74 – the same as Roberts. Now it called for sudden-victory and after parring the 11th hole, Ernie had it! Three majors later and Ernie is a member of golf’s Hall of Fame, the recipient of the Payne Stewart Award for contributions on and off the course as well as now being the host of the SA Open, the mentor for so many and a good friend! This week and next, we will support Ernie!
Oakmont CC in western Pennsylvania is the home to this year’s US OPEN Championship. It is regarded one of the toughest tests for this championship; this year will be no exception as the par-70 has been lengthened again. In 1994, when Ernie needed 92 holes to secure his first of two US Open trophies, the total purse was nearly the same as this year’s winner’s check. Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson were on the leaderboard when people were saying, Ernie who?
The US Open and the USGA have always presented a stern test of golf to determine their Golfer of the Year. Oakmont will feature two 5 par’s, one at 607 yards and the other at 677 yards; I remember when a par-5 was considered a par-5 when it exceeded 475 yards; at Oakmont there will be 5, FIVE par fours longer than that! They will also be facing a 288 yard par-3. If I were a spectator, I would go to the second hole where the par-4 is only 340 yards – certainly, they will be having a go at that one!
Check out the leader board after round 1 on Thursday. There was Tom Watson on top and Jack Nicklaus tied with Ernie. Frank Nobilo, who covers the play-by-play for the Golf Channel was there too! Frank and I were the only non-Afrikaans speaking guests at Ernie’s wedding!
Make sure you watch or record the golf as I am sure the cream will rise to the top – Jordan, Rory, Jason and the young guns are in form – patience will be the difference – I think par will be the virtue and some good bogeys may be the difference. One thing is for sure – shot making will be separate the men from the boys.
Our 2nd Nicklaus Champion of Champions Qualifier!
On Saturday, the 18th, you get your 2nd chance to post a score for this year’s year end championship at Serengeti. We will have 6 Qualifiers this year, with your best 3 scores counting – so, make a plan!
Saturday, April 9 (The Masters)
Saturday, June 18 (US OPEN)
Sunday, July 17 (the OPEN Championship)
Saturday, July 30 (The PGA Championship)
Saturday, August 6 (the Olympics)
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
Els for Autism draws nearly 100 for Wednesday!
Sometimes you feel like you are constantly being asked to play in a charity day or give, give, give to support. At St Francis Links, we only host the best days – right! The Els for Autism day will be no different. With the winning pair traveling to Dullstroom and the finals at the Els Signature, Highland Gate, the prize is right, with great gifts on arrival and treats along the way, the off-course extras are right, the dinner served with Ernie Els wines will certainly be right, of course, the course will be right, the Karoo is sending warm winds so the weather will be right, the auction to follow features some special offers that will all be right AND the winners is Autism awareness and research. Thank you all who are participating – if anyone would still like to attend the dinner and auction OR make a pledge, please call now!
Now, let’s raise 100 – thousand, if possible!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Proudly Sponsored – ITEC SOLUTIONS and Harcourts will be our sponsors for OPEN Wednesday (2nd Wednesday) and Harcourt’s Wednesday (3rd 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!
March (every Tuesday) – 10am Coffee Break for our lady members
June 8: Els for Autism Charity Golf Day (course closed, member rates available at SFBGC)
June 10: Members’ Get-together (Par-3 and dinner)
June 15: ITEC OPEN Wednesday
June 18: Nicklaus Champion of Champions – No. 2
June 19: Father’s Day
June 22: Harcourt’s Wednesday (+R1000 in prizes)
June 25-27: National Order of Merit (juniors)
ST FRANCIS LINKS “MAJORS” AND “SPECIAL EVENTS” FOR 2016
Note the NEW Dates 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 – Special NEW Friday event and Shoot-out
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 Goose Valley
August 6: Ladies’ Invitational
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
September 24: Final Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
September 25: Inter-Estate Challenge at St Francis Links
September 30, October 1-2: Links Cup
October 30: Inter-Estate Challenge at Pezula
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
Open Championship – Royal Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland – July 14-17
US PGA – Baltusrol (Lower Course), Springfield, New Jersey – July 28-31
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…
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 
The St Francis Links Team