A week of memorable ACES…and a worthy Champion!
With technology what it is today, I am sure that most of you have either watched The Masters Meltdown or The Driven Danny Show. But how many of you started the tournament as I did with the annual Par-3 contest? The Par-3 is played in another special piece of hallowed ground beyond Butler and the other “cabins”. 25 000 patrons could easily find a location to absorb the action that was bound to produce some deafening roars. Jack Nicklaus heard a roar and told his grandchildren who accompanied him, along with Gary Player and Tom Watson, on the first tee, “that was a hole-in-one”. Everyone knew the sound, the sound rising as the ball drew closer to the hole. Before Mr Nicklaus and his grandchildren reached the 1st green, they heard another roar!
Last year, there was a record-equaling 5 aces with Camillo Villegas, scoring 2! In 2012, Liezl and I were standing behind the ninth tee when Thomas Björn brought it back to the cup for the thousands who filled the natural amphitheater that served as the backdrop the the ninth and eighth greens.
This year, Brandt Snedeker led the procession of aces with his perfect shot on the ninth. Before the event was finished eight other perfect shots found their way to the hole – two came back-to- back when Rickie (the Million dollar ace-maker in the recent Ernie Els for Autism day) Fowler followed playing partner, Justin Thomas into the hole at the 4th!
At 80 (going on 40), Gary Player was not to be upstaged on this day. He simply played his shot on the 7th out to the right and watched it come back to the holem inching past Jack’s ball that was two feet from the hole. The ace was Gary’s recor-setting 4th in the Par-3 Contest and his 31st overall.
Sunday on the 16th
I guess the Golfing Gods were looking over most of the competitors at Augusta this week when it came to Holes-in-ONE! After watching Davis Love III and Shane Lowry feed their shots to the traditional back left position, it looked like JB Holmes was going to be next – his ball stopping a foot away. Next to play was King Louis – he did it in style, ricocheting off Holmes ball and gentling trickling into the hole.
Oh, by the way, Danny Willett won The Masters with a bogey-free 67 on Sunday, his wife’s original due date for the birth of their first child. Zachariah was born on the 30th (Wednesday), Danny arrived at Augusta on Monday and wore the green jacket in Butler Cabin on Sunday. Jordan Spieth led the Masters for 66 holes.
JOIN US!!!
The 10th Annual St Francis Links
Club Championships
22 – 24 April 2016
As we celebrate 10 years as St Francis Links, the 10th Annual Club Championships represent your first major event of the year! Let’s make this one to remember!
Enter now and join your fellow members for a special few days of golf, great food, friendship and fun as this important tournament will decide our Champion of Champions and Divisional Champions on your Championship Course!
Format of Play & Divisions
Both the Men’s and Ladies Champs will have two divisions in which to participate:
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:
Enter by completing the ATTACHED ENTRY FORM and returning it to
St Francis Links by e-mail (golf@stfrancislinks.com).
All entries to reach us by no later than 19 April 2016.
For further information, contact the pro shop on tel 042 – 200 4500.
R325.00 PER PARTICIPANT to include
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: R135)
Rotary Festival and the Nautical Festival – another reason to be HERE!
What a perfect weekend to be in the Bay – the non-golfers will find activities throughout the Port and Village – golfers will play TWO Top-100 golf courses with a braai thrown in – all for the price of one game!
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
April 13: ITEC OPEN Wednesday
April 22-24: Club Championships
April 30 – May 1: Rotary/makro golfing weekend
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
June 18: 2nd Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
July 9: Sanlam Cancer Challenge – SFL Qualifier
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
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
September 24: Final Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
September 30, October 1-2: Links Cup
November 19-20: Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend
November 25-27: Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Serengeti)
2016 International Events
US Masters – Augusta National, Georgia – April 7-10
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
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 
The St Francis Links Team