The Snake Charmer
On Monday 04 October we had Mark Marshall for a very informative talk about snake species and also did a demonstration with snakes. He is well known in Port Elizabeth as the local snake catcher. His career with handling snakes started in 1992 when “I began keeping snakes as a hobby; I kept harmless snakes and venomous snakes. During this time I observed their identification regarding their colour morphs referenced to their distribution and their behaviours. I currently have a reptile collection of approximately 150 specimens”.
He has 29 years of experience in the reptile and snake field, which incorporates the identification, distribution, behaviours, venom analysis, advice etc of snakes.
Mark consults for a number of reptile/snake specialist studies for Environmental Impact Assessments, previous assessments were: Red Cap, Kouga Wind Farm, Vredendal Faunal assessment, New road infrastructure for the Nuclear Power Station, Oysterbay.
He also conducts venomous snake identification inductions and venomous snake courses for wind turbine farms such as J. Bay Wind Farm, Amakhala Wind Farm, Grassy Ridge Wind Farm, Noupoort Wind Farm, Sutherland Wind Farm, Suzlon Wind Farm, Tsitsikamma Wind Farm etc.
Hey, folks, it’s that time of year. Don’t go reaching for your ball in the bush without checking the area first. I have gone 30 years without dealing with a snake bite. Let’s not make history here!
Scotty can pick ’em
Scott Keevy played in and won the Vodacom Origins of Golf Pro-Am at Humewood last week. He and his partner, Merrick Bremner survived some wicked weather and slick greens to nab the title. Scott advances to the Vodacom Origins of Golf finals at Sun City!
EP Champs Get started
Tough conditions on the weekend called for patience and perseverance as the best amateurs in the Eastern Cape teed it up for the Strokeplay and early Matchplay rounds. Altin VD Merwe shot what I considered level par on Saturday as the wind hit 50 clips and the rain came in squalls. His 76 led Chris V Rensburg, Wian V Aswegen and Michael Bosch by two. The top 36 went on to the matchplay rounds.
Sunday’s results are attached
It’s now Officially Official
4th October 2021 (The Sunshine Tour)
Eastern Cape to host 86th SA PGA Championship
The South African PGA Championship, South Africa’s second-oldest professional golf tournament, will begin a new chapter in its illustrious history as the 86th edition will be played at St Francis Links in the Eastern Cape from 4-7 November 2021.
This will mark the first time St Francis Links hosts the flagship event of the PGA of South Africa.
“The association is proud to partner with the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency to stage the event in the province where the PGA was founded in 1922,” said Ivano Ficalbi, Chief Executive of the PGA of South Africa.
“This partnership will add to the PGA’s transformational strategy and allow the PGA to achieve numerous objectives such as the growth and education of diverse candidates to membership of the PGA within the province as well as promote the fabulous Eastern Cape as a golf tourism destination.”
Vuyani Dayimani, Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), also expressed their delight at hosting one of South African golf’s premier tournaments.
“The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) mandate is to promote economic growth through tourism, and we look to utilise this golf tournament as such. Our partnership with the PGA is aimed at stimulating the Eastern Cape Province’s tourism sector and thus save and provide much-needed jobs as the tournament will support local businesses and attract local and international tourists.
“Golf has been one of the growing sports during COVID-19 and from a sports tourism point of view, it aligns to outdoor offerings that comply with necessary health protocols. We couldn’t be more pleased to tap into its resources and audiences for tourism benefit as per ECPTA’s events strategy of seeking to use events that have a huge following and loyal fanbase to sell and showcase the Eastern Cape as a tourism destination of choice to wider audiences across the globe.”
Darren Fichardt won the 2020 championship to add his name to a list of champions including Gary Player, Ernie Els, Nick Price, Louis Oosthuizen and Dale Hayes.
“The South African PGA Championship has a proud history and occupies a premier place on our Sunshine Tour schedule. The work done by the PGA of South Africa is vital in terms of the general health of South African golf and growing the game around the country, and it’s a privilege for us to work with them and the ECPTA in showcasing this championship at a world-class venue such as St Francis Links,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.
Jimmy Headbush, Promoter of the South African PGA Championship, said: “We have a world-class golf course, leading professional golfers, a top broadcast partner in SuperSport, and the beautiful Eastern Cape Province all combining for a recipe for a successful tournament. To stage an event of this magnitude, it is vital to seek partners that share in the ethos of the PGA Championship of being embedded in tradition and excellence. We are delighted to include Dirk Ellis Volkswagen, Allesverloren Wine Estate, Provantage and Cape St Francis Resort to be part of this championship. Most importantly, the tournament is embraced and supported by Provincial government, the Sarah Baartman Municipality, Kouga Local Municipality and South African Tourism.”
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Thank you all for caring about your course – #leading the way
The 2021 Calendar and results
We look forward to our sponsored days with ITEC and Selective Lighting/The Fire Works and Pam Golding Properties and Village Square SuperSpar events.
New events – Ladies’ and Men’s Medal will be played on the 1st Wednesday of every month
7-8 Jan Men’s Member-Member Partnership, Mark Ward and Richard Sharwood, Champions
13 Jan ITEC Open Wednesday, Hein Spangenberg and Yan Coesens, 51pts
27 Jan Pam Golding/ Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Hein Spangenberg, Yan Coesens, Daryl vd Vyver and David vd Vyver, 92 Points
3 Feb Monthly MEDAL, Shaun Viljoen and Lynn Slogrove
10 Feb ITEC Wednesday, Yan Coesens and Hein Spangenberg, 47pts
14 Feb Valentine’s Day Dress-up Golf; Gavin and Jaunita Gobby, 41pts
20 Feb Greensomes, Scott Keevy, and Deon Marais, 41 pts
24 Feb Pam Golding/ Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Simon Haigh, Yan Coesens, Charl Blaauw, Hein Spangenberg, 86pts
3 Mar Monthly MEDAL, Gross – Fred V Eyssen, Nett – Brett Wilson-Jones, 69, Stableford – Hein Spangenberg, 35pts
5 Mar Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun, Graham Botha and Geoff Garratt, 24pts
6-7 Mar Pam Golding Annual – SFL vs SFB, SFB, 37.15 ave, SFL, 36.83 ave (.32 difference)
10 Mar ITEC Wednesday, Charlie Gilmore and Neil Jones, 44pts
20 Mar Foursomes, Dave Micklem and Norman Rock, 40 pts
31 Mar Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Norman Rock, Tim Elliott, Michael Barratt, and Ronnie Nienaber, 81pts
2 Apr Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun, Debbie McCracken and Michael McGahey, 24pts
2-4 Apr Easter Weekend
7 Apr Monthly MEDAL, Rita Du Plessis and Malcolm White
9 Apr Masters Par-3, shotgun at 15h00 (sponsored by Fitch and Leeds), Graham Botha
27-28 Apr Ladies Championships, Medal, Lynn Slogrove (G), Rita DuPlessis (N)
1-2 May Stableford Championships (Men and Ladies) Chris V Rensburg (A), Doug Cornish (B), Dave Hart (C), Lynn Slogrove (A), and Alison Bosch (B)
7 May Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun Ernest and Linda Muller (donated back).
26 May Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Brett Wilson-Jones, Norman Rock, Nico Van Rensburg and Gavin Gobby, 88pts (85%)
29-30 May Pam Golding Ladies’ OPEN Weekend, Jaunita Gobby and Lettie La Grange, 86pts (85%)
2 Jun Monthly MEDAL, Chris V Rensburg, Lynn Slogrove, Lesley Fisher and Carol Boonzaier
4 Jun Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 14h00 shotgun, Lesley Fisher and Gillian Hammond, 22pts c/i
16 Jun Easy Life Kitchens/ Wednesday, Lesley Fisher and Susan Gray, 45pts c/i
23 Jun Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance Noelie Pearson, Jaunita Gobby, Bimpie Olivier and Sue Gray
26 Jun Windhoek Lager International Pairs, Norman Pretorius and Deon Marais
30-3 Jul Nomads National Order of Merit (International Points) Rescheduled for October
7 Jul Monthly MEDAL, Shaun Viljoen, Lynn Slogrove and Alison Bosch – Gross
18-21 Jul 30th Road Trip (PGA Invitational) Rescheduled for November
21 Jul Easy Life Kitchens/ Wednesday – Jaunita Gobby and Bimpie Olivier
28 Jul Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Charlie Gilmour, Neil Mulder, Dave Webber and Mike Anderson
6 Aug Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 14h00 shotgun – Norman Pretorius and Graham Botha
14 Aug Greensomes – Scott Keevy and Martin King
15 Aug Nomads Annual Game
16 – 31 Aug Hollow-tining Spring Programme (Course Closed)
1 Sep Monthly MEDAL, Izzy Obray, Gillian Hammond, Scott Keevy
7 Sep Colony Challenge – Gillian Hammond and Debbie McCracken
8 Sep Warwick Wealth / Wednesday – Chris van Rensburg and Nic van Rensburg
10 Sep Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun – Sally Nienaber and Barry Phillips
15 Sep Easy Life Kitchens/ Wednesday – Steve Emary and John Hanley
17-19 Sep Men’s 15th Invitational Member/Guest, Tony Gunton and Mark Fensham
25-26 Sep Links Cup (Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits) South Africa 22 1/2 – 19 1/2
2/3 Oct EP Champs, Altin VD Merwe, Medalist
6-8 Oct Nomads National Order of Merit (rescheduled from July)
16 Oct Ladies’ Invitational
20 Oct Easy Life Kitchens / Wednesday
4-7 Nov The 86th PGA Championship (Sunshine Tour Event)