This great course has never looked (or played) better.
I love it when I get a What’s App that says, “Great Day on the links…lovely condition all around.” When it comes from a members who plays the best, it means even more.
As we approach our annual Club Champs, the fairways are as good as the greens – like carpet! With the entire region in drought, call it a “green” drought for some as there has been just enough rain to add some colour, our course is looking and playing like the championship course it is. So, bring on the Club Champs in two weeks as we are ready for you all (details for entry later in the newsletter).
Early morning on the 11th – EISH!
Seasonal packages are now on offer, as well. It’s also the time of year for golf travel. We join others in advertising our course countrywide. The are are a couple of subtle differences between what you pay and what you receive in a golf package. We pride ourselves on over-delivering with personal services, additional opportunities, special events, shoot-outs and so much more. We’ll supply the braai or what you need to do it yourselves; we’ll serve your meals here or recommend the area establishments who will exceed your expectations (and of course, we’ll do the booking for you). Why? Because we can and we want to!
Why not sign up for the special events coming up in the future and expand them into a few days of play! Play in the Inter-Estate Challenge, enter the Ernie Els for Autism in June, start planning for the Invitationals – ladies and men; Invite your friends in for the best golf in SA (and beyond).
The legendary champion golfer, Denis Watson!
Percy Owen invited his old friend Denis Watson to St Francis Links last week after Watson played in the Senior Open in Plett. It’s been 30 years, he told me on the putting green – 30 long years since he’s been back. I know he liked what he saw here!
Denis with Percy Raising the Champions trophy at Kiawah
Denis Watson was and is a winner on the Tour and the Champions Tour. However, I read that injury separated his major victories by 23 years
Special Notice to all members who want to participate in the 2017 Inter- Estate Challenge
St Francis Links – Oubaai – Mossel Bay – Pinnacle Point – Simola and Pezula (and now, Fancourt)
Join us at the Club after golf on Wednesday, the 19th of April to discuss options for playing and competing in this year’s events. We want all of you to have the opportunity to play. Let’s discuss an inclusive plan to accommodate all of you who have supported the events in the past and also those of you who would like to play this year. Play on the day and stay or come at 17h00.
We would like to encourage you to take this opportunity to support your fellow members and the Club.
It will consist of a team of 12 members, split into 6 betterball teams. The break down will be as follows:
• 1st – 7points
• 2nd – 6 points
• 3rd – 5 points
• 4th – 4 points
• 5th – 3 points
• 6th – 2 Points
• 7th – 1 Points
The cost for these tournaments will be R400 per person which will include: the greenfee, cart and snacks after golf.
We are doubling up on tournaments this year which means two days of golf at two different courses, this is going to make travelling back and forth a lot easier for everyone.
Below are the dates and venues for 2017:
• May 7 – St Francis Links
• 1st Double Up – June 25 Pezula / June 26 Simola
• 2nd Double Up – July 30 Pinnacle Point / July 31 Oubaai
• August 27 – Goose Valley
• October 22 – Mosselbay
Fancourt TBD
We will be doing the admin from our side, also helping out with accommodation if needed.
Face of the week
Jason Rollison
Jason is a new staff member here with us at St Francis Links. He started off as a casual only helping when we needed a helping hand and today he is permanently part of the St Francis Links Family.
He is the wonderful and bright personality you see when you come to our Halfway House. He always tries to make everyone laugh and gives everyone the best service and a warm smile.
” It is wonderful to work with new people every day and my colleagues are amazing and always tries to make work fun. This is a great opportunity to prove myself and I can build myself up to the highest of mountains here. Jeff and Liezl are awesome. They Inspire me, motivate me and teaches me new and interesting things everyday”
Keep Reading…
More to remember!
This was our best year to date in almost every way:
- We finished our 106th home on the estate (57 are permanent residents)
- 16 homes are under construction
- 25 homes are in the planning or application stages
- We turned 10 in December with nearly R14M in the bank
- To date, we are 500 rounds UP on budget
- Our golf rounds were up by more than 3300 rounds – 17 550 in total
- 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
32 of you have booked! We are calling…
The “Open” Division:
Members in good standing may enter the Open division, regardless of handicap. Nominated
members must be handicapped at St Francis Links in order to enter. The winner will be decided
over 36 holes (18 per day), playing an Individual Medal format, off scratch. Men in this division will
play from the “MODIFIED” Gold Championship tees and ladies from the Red Ladies tees.
There will be prizes for the gross winner (the ultimate Club Champ) and for the net winner.
Ties will be broken by playing to a sudden-death-victory over hole 18,
then 18 again and again and again!
The “B” Division:
Current, full handicaps will apply to participants in these divisions. The format
will be Individual Stableford. Men will play from the Club tees (blue) and
ladies from the Ladies tees (Red). Ties will be broken by a count-out.
Entries and Further Information:
St Francis Links by e-mail (golf@stfrancislinks.com).
All entries to reach us by no later than 24 April 2017.
For further information, contact the Golf Shop on tel 042 – 200 4500.
Schedule of Events
Friday, 28 April 2017
Kick off the weekend with a fun Par-3 Practice Round Event (afternoon times)
Join us at 17h30 on Friday Evening in the Bar for a special start to the Champs. Before the
“Welcome and Local Rules Presentation” at 17h30,
have a fun 9 (or 18!) to get a feel for the course conditions and green speeds.
Saturday, 29 April 2017
First Round of the 11th Annual St Francis Links Club Championship
Tee times from 09h00 – 11h00 off the first tee – 18 holes
followed by the First Round Review and
Announcement of the Draw for Day 2
Sunday, 30 April 2017
Final Round of the 11th Annual St Francis Links Club Championship
Tee times from 08h00 – 09h30 off both tees – 18 holes
with the leaders teeing off last
The 2017 Club Championship Prize giving lunch follows play at ± 15h00
at the St Francis Links Clubhouse.
Plated Main Course
Sunday roast chicken with thyme gravy
Green beans with roast onion butter
Seasonal vegetables
Potato croquets
White rice
Dessert
Lemon tart with blueberry compote and vanilla ice cream
Entry Fee for the Championship
Entry into Event & Prizes (if you play well!)
Friday evening welcome snacks
Welcome Gift
Sunday’s Prize Giving Lunch
(Non-participating spouses for Friday evening welcome
Snacks and Sunday lunch: R145)
For further enquiries, please call
The Golf Shop on 042 200 4500
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!
Monday Roll-up! Pitch up and play (9 holes from 3pm) 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” – Prizegiving and Happy Hour at 17h00
Apr 19 Asian Night NEW
Apr 28-30 Club Championships
Apr 29 Chef Jono’s Special Steak Night
May 7 Inter-Estate Challenge at St Francis Links
ST FRANCIS LINKS “MAJORS” AND “SPECIAL EVENTS” 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
May 7 Inter-Estate Challange (St Francis Links)
May 18-19 Woodlands’ Dairy Golf Days for HOSPICE
May 27 Foursomes over 18 holes (NEW)
Jun 3 Ladies’ Invitational
Jun 10 Sanlam – Links Qualifier
Jun 22 Els for Autism at St Francis Links (finals at Highland Gate)
Jul 2-3 National Junior Order of Merit
Jul 20-23 Men’s Invitational
Jul 23-25 The Annual “Road Trip”
Aug 6 Sanlam Cancer FINALS at St Francis Links
Aug 8-23 Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed
Sep 30, Oct 1 Links Cup
Nov 11-12 Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend
Dec 2 Ladies’ Member-Member
Dates for Mixed Events, as well as the Knock-outs to follow.
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE