Notably, the conference was hosted at the magnificent Steyn City, a venue that will also be the proud host of the LIV Golf event in March. 

Our Esteemed MC: Brent Lindeque for the fifth time (Back by popular demand)
Brent Lindeque graced the CMASA stage as our charismatic MC, bringing his signature blend of humor and profound wisdom.  Brent, widely known as the founder of Good Things Guy, is a passionate advocate for focusing on the positive aspects of life rather than dwelling on negativity. His platform, Good Things Guy, has become a beacon of hope and inspiration in South Africa, sharing uplifting stories and highlighting the good news that often goes unnoticed.  He consistently reminds us that there is always something good happening, encouraging a shift in perspective that can profoundly impact our well-being and outlook.

Springbok Legend: Steven Kitshoff 
We were incredibly fortunate to hear from Steven Kitshoff, affectionately known as “Kitsie,” the Springbok legend and two-time Rugby World Cup champion. Kitshoff shared captivating insights into his illustrious career, including the challenges of navigating career-ending injuries and the resilience required to overcome them. His candid discussion provided a rare glimpse into the mindset of a world-class athlete. Beyond the rugby field, Kitshoff also delved into his exciting ventures in the business world, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and vision for the future.

Navigating Liability Law: Wayne Forrester 
Wayne Forrester expertly led a crucial discussion on liability law within our industry. His presentation provided invaluable clarity and practical guidance on a complex yet vital topic. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of their responsibilities and how to mitigate risks, ensuring compliance and protecting their organizations.

Understanding Today’s Generation: Roger Collins 
Roger Collins delivered a fantastic and thought-provoking insight into today’s generation. He highlighted the unique characteristics, aspirations, and challenges of younger demographics, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping the future of South Africa. Collins’s presentation underscored the importance of understanding and empowering this generation to forge the path forward, recognizing their potential as future leaders and innovators.

Pouring from a Full Cup: Kath Tucker 
Kath Tucker offered a truly empowering session, teaching us the profound truth that “you can’t keep pouring from an empty cup.” Her insights focused on the importance of self-care and personal well-being as foundational elements for effective leadership and support for others. Tucker provided practical strategies on how we can effectively utilize our strengths not only to overcome our own weaknesses but also to assist those around us in navigating their challenges. Her message resonated deeply, reminding us that by nurturing ourselves, we are better equipped to uplift and empower others.

Optimizing Operations with Thought Patterns: Rob Arnold
Rob Arnold was truly amazing in teaching us how understanding thought patterns can significantly help our operations. He provided invaluable insights into how recognizing and leveraging these patterns can lead to more efficient processes and improved decision-making. Furthermore, Rob emphasized the critical importance of understanding what our guests truly desire in their experience, offering practical strategies to tailor services and create memorable interactions that exceed expectations.

Insights from LIV Golf and Industry Leadership: Chris Bently 
Chris Bently provided us with amazing insight into his experience working with LIV Golf. His firsthand accounts offered a unique perspective on the dynamics and innovations within this rapidly evolving sports landscape. Beyond his professional insights, Chris also stood out as a great role model for many in our industry, embodying leadership qualities and a commitment to excellence that resonated deeply with attendees.

Concluding with Inspiration: Remy Kloos 
The event closed off with an amazing motivational session led by the incredible Remy Kloos. Remy is a renowned adventurer and motivational speaker, known for her extraordinary climbing ventures. She has achieved remarkable feats, including becoming the youngest African to summit Mount Everest from both the North and South sides, and completing the Seven Summits challenge. Her powerful story of resilience, determination, and overcoming extreme challenges left everyone feeling inspired and ready to tackle their own “mountains.”

Rob Arnold is well respected in the golf, retail and hospitality industry and is the founder of RCA Consulting.  He opened his inspiring keynote presentation at the conference, with a tribute to Jeff.

We’re pretty sure everyone who showed up got their numbers dialed in and walked away with the perfect set of clubs, ready to knock a few strokes off their golf game.  It was all about getting those sweet spots figured out and finding the gear that just feels right. If you were there, you know what we’re talking about! And hey, if you missed out, no worries! Just keep your eyes peeled on our newsletter and groups if you’re keen on joining more events like this.  We’ve got more fun stuff planned, so you won’t want to miss the next one!

Arrivederci: A Glimpse into the Future

Shaun Viljoen’s international journey:
2025 Reply Italian International U-16 Championship at Golf Club Biella le Betulle. This prestigious event sees him represent GolfRSA alongside other promising talents like Schalk van Ettinger, Jordan Groenewald, and Yieke Ajulu, under the guidance of managers Thinus Labuschagne and Sean Bradley. This early exposure to high-level international competition is crucial in shaping his game. The GolfRSA team’s safe travels and participation in such events underscore the commitment to developing South Africa’s brightest golf stars.

This theme and marketing motto guided our participation in the Greater Garden Route Expo at Mentorskraal on 23 and 24 August. Our objective was to showcase the natural beauty of St Francis Links, which we achieved by incorporating natural elements into our table design and exhibition layout, with a special focus on the King Protea, our national flower.

Even before I returned home, my inbox was filled with inquiries and kind words from vendors and brides who appreciated our presentation. This overwhelming response confirmed the success of our endeavors. By creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, we brought the essence of St Francis Links to life, establishing connections, crafting experiences, and making our wedding expo an unforgettable experience. I would like to thank Selona and Rhoshart for joining me at the expo, as well as our dedicated team who helped with the setup and breakdown.

Here’s to a bright future for weddings and events at St Francis Links!

For those new to the term, “eclectic” isn’t just a fancy word for “a bit of everything” – it means you get to pick your best score on each hole over the entire competition period. In short – golf’s greatest hits! This isn’t a one-and-done deal, however, you need to be consistent!

To truly conquer the eclectic, you need to be out there, rain or shine. Every individual Strokeplay/Stableford round counts! That seemingly insignificant tap in on a blustery Wednesday could be the difference between bragging rights … or some banter being sent around in “The Bunker” (that’s the new lower section in Jack’s Bar!)

Overcoming these “obstacles” is what separates the contenders from the “I’d rather join the knitting club” crowd. To keep you on the edge of your golf carts, we’ve got real-time leaderboards set up on ScoreCapture.

Check them out regularly to see where you stand and who you need to beat.

We ask that you please be mindful and enter your scores.

In addition to this – if you have more than two penalty rounds in your list of active scores relating to your handicap calculation, we will not allow you to enter club competitions.

Should you be interested in playing at any of these courses, please inform us by sending an email to Proshop@Stfrancislinks.com and we will secure that booking for you.