84 players and 100 for dinner as the day yields R230 000+ for Ernie’s kids in SA!
Oh, what a day and night as we celebrated in style at St Francis Links. The golf day, rescheduled from June where the weather forecast forced it’s cancellation. With golfers and supporters traveling from afar, the decision was taken mid-week with a new date set, for everyone to reschedule. in the end, we added teams with some guys coming all the way from Northern Ireland to play and participate.
Nico v Rensburg joined Rob, Bertie and Roy Picken for a memorable day! I asked, “raise your hand if you love St Francis Links”
The weather this time, was perfect and the enthusiasm on the course carried over to the evening. Keith Donaldson and new member, Paddy Thompson (Absent Irish) got the function rolling with song and played again after the auction. Nico van Rensburg shared videos of Ernie and the Autism story that now effects 1 in 42 boys worldwide. All who were in attendance were moved by the stories with some giving from their pockets to support the children and families (more that 115 families) in SA. My friends, Rob McCormick and Bertie Warwick from “Norn Iron” joined hometown boy, Roy Picken and came with signed originals of Rory and Darren Clarke that were later sold for R15 000 – nice contribution from the lads.
The winners advance to the finals at Highland Gate. The winners there qualify to play in the SA OPEN Pro-Am at Glendower. That’s worth a drive to Dullstoom! On the night, we auctioned some great memorabilia including a Sergio Garcia piece from the Masters, Rory and Ernie from The SA Open, signed bottles of Ernie’s wines, trips to the wine country with accommodation at the new Pearl Vally Hotel and golf at Arabella and Pearl Valley, accommodation at the Pezula Conrad for 4 with golf at Fancourt and Pezula and even a trip to the Highland Gate finals for 2 (hey, if you can’t win the trip, support Autism and win it in the auction).
Check out our Facebook page for more pics – Chris Scott’s Photography (course pics) is outstanding
More to remember!
This was our best year to date in almost every way:
- We finished our 119th home on the estate (55% permanently occupied)
- 20 homes have been completed this year.
- 10 homes are under construction
- 20 homes are in the planning or application stages
- We are financially sound with great lifestyle choices for the entire family
- Our golf rounds featured golfers from more than 20 different countries – from Wisconsin to New South Wales
- 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
Don’t stop yet! New Events are listed below!
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 or 18 Par-3 from 2pm) 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
Oct 11 ITEC Open Wednesday
Oct 11 Curry Night with Live Entertainment – Digby and Lulluby
Oct 13 Riyk’s Wine Pairing Evening
Oct 24 SFL Staff Party and Amazing Race
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 – Ralph Richardson and Helen Bridges, Champions
May 7 Inter-Estate Challange (St Francis Links)
May 18-19 Woodlands’ Dairy Golf Days for HOSPICE R400 000-00 raised for Hospice
May 20 Stulting School Day R280 000-00 raised on the day
May 27 Foursomes over 18 holes (NEW) Margot McGregor and Dr Lynn Slogrove, Champions
Jun 3 Ladies’ Invitational Dr Lynn Slogrove and Noeline de Ridder, Champions
Jun 10 Sanlam – Links Qualifier
Jul 2-3 National Junior Order of Merit Wilco Nienaber, Champion (ranked No. 3 in SA)
Jul 20-23 Men’s Invitational Derek Ryan and Pieter Jerling, Champions
Jul 23-25 The Annual “Road Trip” Brian Wessels, Individual and Pards Cup Champion
Aug 6 Sanlam Cancer FINALS at St Francis Links
Aug 8-23 Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed
Sep 29-Oct 1 Links Cup – South Africa (29-19)
October 5 Els for Autism at St Francis Links R232 000 raised on the day
Nov 11-12 Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend
Dec 2 Ladies’ Member-Member
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 
They are smiling because we, St Francis Links, sponsored their accommodation for a night – Oudtshoorn Tour