GOLF – LIFESTYLE GOLF – STANDARD BANK PRO-AM SERIES ST. FRANCIS LINKS PREVIEW

Professional women’s golf returns to Eastern Cape as series goes to St Francis
ST. FRANCIS BAY, August 22 – Professional golf will make its return to the Eastern Cape province when the Standard Bank Pro-Am series goes to the majestic St. Francis Links for the fifth event of this eight-tournament series, on 22 September.
The series is making its debut in the province even though it already has a footprint in the way of the
Standard Bank Golf Development Programme that’s currently underway at East London Golf Club.
“This series is more than just about golf,” added Jenny Havenga of Lifestyle Golf, Founder, and promoter of the series. “It’s about building the nation, it’s about connecting professionals with corporate; it’s about making history, but mostly, it’s about bringing golf to women of all ages.
“Our sponsors and partners recognise that we are passionate about the development of female golfers from a young age and the investments they have made into this are a testimony to this fact. The Eastern Cape is inundated with talent and players such as Zethu Myeki, Yolanda Duma and her sister Siviwe are some of the players this province has produced.
“We want to unearth more talent and thanks to Standard Bank, now we have a fully running programme here to help us identify and nurture that talent. In that regard, we also thank the WPGA for their professional work and the progress we are seeing so far.”
The current home of South Africa’s second-oldest golf tournament, the PGA Championship, marks the third of four Standard Bank Pro-Am events to be played in a province outside of Gauteng, an achievement that speaks to the growth of the series since it was launched in 2020.
“We are delighted to finally stage a professional tournament in the province and especially here at St. Francis,” said Barbara Pestana, executive director of the Women’s Professional Golf Association (the WPGA).
“This province is rich with history and tradition and to bring the Standard Bank Pro-Am tournament here speaks to our shared objective of taking the sport to as many women as possible. It also augurs well with our development agenda and the national footprint. We are nearing the end of level two of our development programme for girls in the province and we hope that bringing a professional event here will inspire more women and young girls to want to be involved in golf, in one capacity or another.”
The Standard Bank Pro-Am series along with the development programme is initiated by Lifestyle
Golf in collaboration with the Women’s Professional Golf Association (WPGA) and is now in its second year. It is aimed at growing women’s golf on all levels and creating opportunities for them to
play professionally throughout the year, which will enable them to hone their skills further while
earning some money in the process.
“At Standard Bank, we believe that growth in women’s golf has evolved tremendously and already
showcases some of the highest talent on offer in South Africa. This is a sport where commitment,
perseverance and the right opportunities matter more than who is stronger or faster. We know that
it should be about the quality of the golf. That is why we are backing South African women’s golf and
giving them more platforms to succeed because we believe that: ‘Great golf, is great golf’ regardless
of who is playing,” said Unathi Maqalekane: Provincial Executive Head – Client Coverage Eastern
Cape at Standard Bank South Africa

 

Nothing compares to walking your daughter down the aisle or seeing your Grandchild for the first time!

Ok, I’m stealing (and sharing) the moment! 

For the first time in four years, we returned to the United States for a holiday and reunions with family and friends. We were hosted at every turn and treated like Royalty. The primary reason for the trip was to walk my daughter, Lindsay, down the aisle, to celebrate the event with my brother, Tom, his wife Molly, sister, Andrea, my son, Thomas, his wife, Chelsea, and their daughter Evie, and to meet my first Granddaughter, Esme!

 

The trip included reunions with dear friends in Texas, Massachusetts, New York City and Virginia. It all was simply amazing. I played the course in Texas where I held my first Head PGA Professional position, drove my rental car in Manhattan, and boated in Texas and Virginia. Liezl and I saw jazz at the Village Vanguard, Hugh Jackman on Broadway and shared a Reuben sandwich in the city. I even featured on a radio show with my old boss and friend, Charlie Epps in Houston. Thanks, Billy and Lori, Bill and Vicky, the Pigg family (groom, Blair and his family), “Honey” and Miss Lydia, classmate, Fred and his guitar,  Michael and Casey (Nienaber), and for giving us five incredible days in Virginia, Tolar and Jerri, and the Virginia friends!

 

I often use the phrase – “acres of diamonds” when referring to the fact that everyone thinks the diamond mine is out there somewhere when the diamonds are actually right under your feet. The USA is full of greatness and issues, no different than here. We experienced a dream trip and took it all in. We thank our family and friends. But, it’s good to be home! The diamonds are here under our feet.

 

The Calamari Classic and The Links Cup (in conjunction with The President’s Cup)

Next week St Francis Bay Golf Course will be abuzz with golfers from all over South Africa competing in the 25th Calamari Classic! 25 years! I’m sure that there will be guys like my friend, Keith Clark, who have played in most of them. We wish the Bay course and everyone involved, a great weekend of golf and fun!

Here at The Links, we will salute the President’s Cup, with the world team captained by Trevor Immelman, by hosting The Links Cup. With our captains playing in and supporting The Calamari Classic, we have asked two of the nicest (and most competitive) brothers, Chris and Nick V Rensburg to Captain the Sa and International sides – pairing them against each other in the Singles, of course!

 

This Week’s Golf Results

7 September – Ecotect Ladies – Lynn Slogrove (Silver), Sally Nienaber (Bronze), IPS – Sue Gray

 

 

7 September – Ecotect Men – Chris V Rensburg (A), Micah V Eyssen (B), IPS – Geoff Garratt

 

9 September – Par-3 – Micah V Eyssen

10 September IPS – Tony Gunton

13 September – Colony Club – Sally Nienaber, Rose Gunton and Zeti Pringle

 

 

FACE OF THE WEEK

MEET: NORA KAPANK

I STARTED WORKING FOR ST FRANCIS LINKS UNDER G4S SECURITY FOR 3 YEARS AS A SECURITY OFFICER, CONTROLLER, ACCESS CONTROL, AND GENERAL ASSISTANT. IN NOVEMBER 2021, I APPLIED FOR A POSITION AND WAS APPOINTED AS F&B TRAINEE MANAGER AT ST FRANCIS LINKS CLUBHOUSE.

I LOVE CHALLENGES AND THIS NEW JOURNEY EXCITES ME, DIFFERENT FROM BEING IN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY FOR 15 YEARS. I INTERACT WITH A LOT OF MEMBERS, GUESTS, AND GOLFERS AND TREAT THEM WITH UTMOST RESPECT AND KINDNESS. MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO BE PROACTIVE I OVERSEE THE DAILY ROUTINES, CHECK IN DELIVERIES, SUPERVISE THE FLOOR & ASSIST WITH FUNCTIONS. WE MAKE EVERY OCCASION MEMORABLE FROM A LADY’S TEA TO A VIP WEDDING WE SERVE ST FRANCIS LINKS WITH PRIDE. I HAVE PHENOMENAL LEADERS; I LEARN AND GROW EVERY DAY AND AM EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE.

I GREW UP WATCHING MY (LATE) MOTHER AND (LATE)FATHER HANDLE ANY OBSTACLES LIFE THREW AT THEM THEY NEVER GAVE UP. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 BOYS WAYLON (18) A FIRST-YEAR BACHELOR’S IN COMMERCE LAW STUDENT IN CAPE TOWN AND MY LAST-BORN NOAH (11) A GRADE 5 STUDENT I MOTIVATE THEM DAILY TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES AND YOU WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE!

MY DAILY INSPIRATION QUOTE:
‘WHAT COUNTS IN LIFE IS NOT THE MERE FACT THAT WE HAVE LIVED. IT IS WHAT DIFFERENCE WE HAVE MADE TO THE LIVES OF OTHERS THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LIFE WE LEAD’
NELSON MANDELA

 

 

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Thank you all for caring about your course – #leading the way! Adopt a hole (AAH) works.