The Memorial is played at Muirfield Village in OHIO
When I was the Head PGA Professional at The Hills of Lakeway, a Jack Nicklaus Signature near Austin Texas, we competed every year in the National Nicklaus Cup Matches. These matches were first comprised of six-player teams and our “male” members queued to play in the qualifier each year. The divisional winners 0-5, 6-9, 10-12, 13-15 and 16 to 18 were accompanied by the Head Professional to fabulous Nicklaus Signatures around America. In those early years, I think there were about 15 to 18 teams of six who competed for the National Championship. I accompanied my members to English Turn in New Orleans (New Awlins), to CC of the Rockies near Vale, Colorado, to Desert Mountain outside Phoenix in Arizona as well as the great Muirfield Village where we looped the course 5 times in practice and play. The event is still played yearly and has grown exponentially with teams coming to destinations from all over the world. My two-course Cup Matches were played on Cochise and Geronimo at Desert Highlands and we came top-five after a 2nd place finish in Colorado – losing by a shot in the final round scramble format.
Muirfied Village is Jack’s highest ranked course in the world (around 13th) and he has continued to tweek it over the last 40 years. Each year, the event draws a world-class field and a number of players and fams rate the course and the tournament just outside the Majors. This year will be no exception with the top-10 players in the Fed-Ex Cup competed and most of the top ranked players in the world. Another feature of the annual event is the induction of golf’s greatest contributors in history to their sport, golf. Starting in 1976 with Bobby Jones, 40+ mem and women have been honored – this year the recognition goes to Greg Norman.
I really love this tournament and encourage you all to watch this week! The pics below are from the Memorial Website…
Memorial Park along the 1st fairway commemorates each Honoree of the Memorial Tournament
Hole Number 15
Par: 5 Yards: 529 Average: 4.688 Rank: 18
AN INTRIGUING PAR 5 cut arrow-straight through the heart of a forest. The ideal drive is to the crest of the hill, from where the long hitter should be trying to get home in two. Thwarting him will be the steep slope fronting the green, a couple of deep bunkers and the small size of the target — not to mention the trees crowding in left and right. There will be many birdies here, but there will also be some disasters.
HOLE Number 11
Par: 5 Yards: 567 Average: 4.902 Rank: 15
RUNNING THE LENGTH of a lovely valley between high, wooded hills, this hole is the arena for a huge amphitheater capable of accommodating a great many spectators. The drive is enticingly downhill to a wide fairway, but a creek cuts diagonally across the fairway at about 320 yards from the tee, then hugs it on the right before swinging left again in front of the small, elevated green. An inviting hole to gamble on, but two perfect shots are necessary to get home.
Note: Take note of the similarity between the 11th at Muirfield Village and our 16th at St Francis Links. The creek splits the fairway allowing the long hitter to have a go and the shorter hitter a layup. Great natural water features do enhance the beauty and strategy of the hole.
Chef Jon and Anthonij Rupert wines formed the perfect pairing!
Members, locals and out-of-town guest raved about the “pairing evening”
Carien, the Brand Ambassador for Anthonij Rupert Wines, and Chef Jon Hodder teamed up for an evening of exquisite flavours. Our Chef did an amazing job marrying his five courses to Rupert’s best. The attendees raved about the night and ordered wine for their home cellars. Watch this space – we’re onto a winning formula! Diemersfontein is next!
Scroll down for June’s Events Calendar!
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More to remember!
This was our best year to date in almost every way:
- We finished our 108th home on the estate (58 are permanent residents with M/M Hein Sevenster as our newest! )
- There were three property sale last week alone
- 15 homes are under construction
- 25 homes are in the planning or application stages
- We are financially sound with great lifestyle choices for the entire family
- To date, we are 550 rounds UP on budget
- 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
June 3 Ladies’ Invitational (sponsored by Marsha Cooper and HARCOURTS)
June 10 Sanlam Cancer Challange _ local qualifier HERE
June 14 Itec Open Wednesday – R235 with Green Fees, Comp fees, Great snacks and R1000 in Meat prizes
June 18 Special Father’s Day Lunch and activities
June 22 Els for Autism
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
Jun 10 Sanlam – Links Qualifier
Jun 22 Els for Autism at St Francis Links (finals at Highland Gate)
Jul 2-3 National Junior Order of Merit
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
Nov 11-12 Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend
Dec 2 Ladies’ Member-Member
Dates for Mixed Events, as well as the Knock-outs to follow.
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 
