Sorry for the inconvenience!
This past Saturday, we accommodated 134 players on the course the course causing some of you consternation. With the Bay Course closed to host their annual Seniors’ weekend and with juniors and their parents here on Saturday for practice rounds before their Nomads National Order of Merit, some of our members felt pushed away. For that I apologise. “We will always make a plan for a member” has been our commitment and it appears, in a couple of cases, we failed. For that, we will all revisit the bookings procedures to avoid any hassles in the future.
Outside events are limited and encouraged for good reason
Most courses in South Africa and around the world rely on outside events and corporate golf to balance the books for their golf operations – some offer exclusive member golf only on designated days. The pressure on Clubs today to offset the cost of dollar-based equipment and products, is enormous. Our capital budget has nearly doubled in 10 years with regard the replacement of machinery. Fortunately, we have provided for the repair and replacement of major items in our budget and we have established reserves over the years to handle the challenges that we face through years of slow growth in our economy. The quality of our course reflects the positive efforts.
We are not like others and limit the number of days where member golf may be compromised. These events that we do welcome include major tournaments that bring recognition and praise for our course and facilities. Others bring potential investors who have, indeed, purchased property and established a new home here. One such guest (now member) has brought his home plans to us this week. But our biggest commitment to golf and golf events at St Francis Links revolves around charity and growing the game – our charity events from Woodlands Dairy for HOSPICE to the Amazing Race for the Kromme Enviro Trust have touched the lives of so many in the area. The regional and national events like the Nomads National Order of Merit and the National Women’s Seniors draw the best players country wide.
We will endeavor to always help you find a tee time and a game. Please just let us know in advance, if 1) if you have a fourball or a partial fourball or 2) if you are available to play – as soon as you can, please. We have What’s APP groups for the ladies and the men…use them but include us!
When our course is closed for an EP championship or National championship, our area courses are expected to welcome you, our members, at Club member rates. As was the case for Bay members on Saturday when their course was closed for a National event, their members were welcomed here. Note: this was the first time in our 11 years that both courses were hosting major events – limiting times here on Saturday.
Thank you all for your continued support of the Club and our great course – Our members are our royalty and our guests will be treated as members for their stay. Many of you are here today because you first felt “the love” as a guest or as an attendee of one of our great events!
Our Annual Woodlands Dairy Days for HOSPICE | Family fun at the NSRI Day
The Tour comes almost every year | The Pam Golding Open weekend features both local courses
Communication is the key to success
In closing, we (I) can get it all wrong (on occasions) and when it does not go right for you, come in and share your concerns, call or drop me a mail – it’s a small town (and bar talk is brutal), but a great community!
Let’s turn him into them!
More to remember!
This was our best year to date in almost every way:
- We finished our 111th home on the estate (54 are permanent residents)
- Welcome to Don and Dawn Spear and Charles and Avril Laird
- 14 homes are under construction
- 26 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
The Invitational – our Annual Gentlemen’s Member Guest
July 21-23 – Invitations are in the mail to you – please fill in your partner’s details and send them back!
More than 50 have entered already – this is going to rock!
Our latest Perfect shots!
Brenden recorded his 2nd ace (both on the 4th hole) and guest, Sharon Milstead recorded her 1st ever on our 17th (all in new Links kit!)
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
July 12 ITEC Open Wednesday
July 14 Members’ Get-together
July 18 67 Minutes for Madiba – Extreme Golf Fundraiser (ask how you can play or pledge)
July 21-23 The Invitational – annual Men’s Member Guest
July 23-26 The PGA “Road Trip”
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
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
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
October 5 Els for Autism at St Francis Links (finals at Highland Gate)
Nov 11-12 Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend
Dec 2 Ladies’ Member-Member
Seasonal packages are now on offer
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).
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 