But what great memories!
If you grew up in the midwest of the United States as I did, there was still a good chance that there would be snow on the ground or another snowstorm coming. But when you turned on CBS and The Masters with their Azaleas in full bloom, it marked the start of spring and the playing of the first Major of the year. I started batting the ball around from tree to tree at about four years old, so golf has been my passion since Mr Player won his Masters in 1961. That means that I watched Gary Player 13 years before you had a TV! Imagine leading the Masters after 3 rounds and having Sunday washed out. You return on Monday with Arnold Palmer charging. In the end, The King lost it on the last after finding the bunker and making double. Mr Player banked $20K. In 1974, the year I graduated from high school and was the first to qualify for the State Golf Championships since my brother 13 years earlier, Mr Player won again; this time following a tap-in for birdie on 17 to ensure the victory. He waited for you to have a TV. At 42, Mr Player had his best charge ever, shooting 64 in the final round to set the course record and chase down Hubert Green.
The South African legend proceeded Trevor Immelman and Charl Schwartzel in victory at Augusta. Ernie challenged in his prime and was denied by “Lefty” after gaining 6 shots on the par-5’s on the final day. It was an 18-footer on 18 that stopped the charge (his 1st of 3). In 2012, Liezl and I attended The Masters and it was a dream come true – nearly. Liezl stood next to Louis when he holed out for Albatross on the 2nd. I walked up from the 9th green to see the scorekeeper on the big board at 18 remove the 7 and post the 10 UNDER! Bubba hit the best shot since Gene Sarazen’s 5-wood to win on the first extra hole.
There were other great Master’s champions who won with a bit of good luck. Freddie did what no one else has done before or since by stopping his shot to 12 on the slope. With extra emotion, Ben won after burying his minor and coach the Wednesday before. Nick Faldo had an epic win swinging the match entirely when he went low and Greg Norman went the other way. Larry Mize inflicted more pain when he holed out on the 11th (the second extra hole) to deny the best man in golf a green jacket! The first Aussie to win was Adam Scott whose emotion on the last was quite descriptive!
The two greatest, Jack and Tiger, with 11 Masters’ titles between them could get there without incredible stories. At 46, Jack started his charge on the ninth and walked up 18 with Jackie II on the back in tears. Tiger returned from injury and shame to turn the golfing world on its head with his win last year – his first win featured an embrace from his after and this one was for his son!
See you in November for more history in the making!
…time out from the virus.
Rescheduled for July 10
Club Championships April 24-26, 2020 (on hold)
The 2020 Calendar and results
This year, we will be seeing more weddings, fewer golfing National events (due to rotation) and more member functions as our member play is the fastest-growing category in golf. We look forward to more sponsored days with ITEC and Selective Lighting/The Fire Works and the addition of a new partnership between Pam Golding Properties and Village Square SuperSpa
4-5 Jan The Pam Golding Annual, SFBGC Champions, Series tied 7 all
7-8 Jan Men’s Member-Member Partnership, Roger Smith and Charlie Gilmore, Champions
8 Jan ITEC Open Wednesday, Dr Danie Cronjé and Mel Maubec, winners on 51pts
18 Jan Windhoek Pairs qualifying, Geoff Garratt and Ernest Müller, winners on 49pts
29 Jan Pam Golding/ Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Gill, Hool, Garratt and Wilson-Jones on 87pts
12 Feb ITEC Open Wednesday, Karl-Johann and Nyana Persson on 45pts
14 Feb Valentine’s Day Dress-up Golf; Dinner with entertainment, The Gobby’s 45pts
26 Feb Pam Golding/ Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Coesens, White, Gobby and Spangenberg 91 pts
12 Mar ITEC Open Wednesday, TK and Percy Owen 51pts
25 Mar Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance cancelled
27 Mar Ernie Els for Autism Golf Day rescheduled for July 10
3 Apr Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun cancelled
8 Apr ITEC Open Wednesday cancelled
11 Apr Greensomes to be rescheduled
24-26 Apr Club Championships on hold
1 May Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun
2-3 May Pam Golding Ladies Open Weekend
13 May ITEC Open Wednesday
21-22 May Woodlands Dairy Charity Days for HOSPICE
24 May Nomads at St Francis Links (10h30 off 2-tees)
27 May Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance
6 Jun The Bard’au Ladies’ Invitational
10 Jun ITEC Open Wednesday
12 Jun Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun
17-19 Jun Nomads National Order of Merit* – Juniors earning International points
5 Jul Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun
20 Jun Foursomes
21-22 Jun PGA Pro Pairs (SFL)
24 Jun Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance
8 Jul ITEC Open Wednesday
17-19 Jul Men’s Invitational
26-27 Jul PGA Regional Finals (SFBGC and SFL)
29 Jul Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance
1-2 Aug EP Amateur Championships (course closed)
7 Aug Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun
8-9 Aug EP Amateur Championships – Matchplay finals
20-3 Aug/Sep Closed for Spring Programme
4 Sep Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun
9 Sep ITEC Open Wednesday
25-27 Sep LINKS CUP South Africa (Ryder Cup at Whistling Straights)
30 Sep Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance
2 Oct Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun
3 Oct Stulting Golf Day
14 Oct ITEC Open Wednesday
28 Oct Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance
5 Nov Eastern Province SENIORS
6 Nov Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun
11 Nov ITEC Open Wednesday
16 Nov Men’s Muirfield Day (3rd Annual)
22 Nov “The Trophy” – St Francis Links sponsored Amateur Champs
25 Nov Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance
25 Nov Members’ Oscars
5 Dec Ladies’ Member-Member
9 Dec ITEC Open Wednesday
12 Dec Ultimate Par-3 Championships
16 Dec The Kromme-Enviro Trust Amazing Race
5-6 Jan Men’s Member-Member Partnership
8-9 Jan The Pam Golding Annual