48 players in the Links CUP (too many strong South Africans)
24 players in the President’s Cup and it seemed like a lot of Americans!
This past weekend our South African professionals found themselves on the wrong side of victory as the Americans came out with their guns blaring – finishing off the internationals 19-11 in what could have been much worse. In the Singles, the Internationals played for pride and captured 7 1/2 of the 12 remaining points with Louis and Charl winning and Gracie fighting back for a halve with the world number 1 (and undefeated) Dustin Johnson. Playing in his first international team competition, Player of the Year, Justin Thomas went 3-1-1; the ageless Phil Mickelson became the winning-est Prez Cupper after going 3-0-1 for the week.
How to celebrate or not!
They don;t call it the President’s Cup for Nothing – I’m glad JZ and Bob stayed home!
In St Francis, our members entered through their country of birth or origin and it was two-thirds South Africans before we dug deeper into their past. In the end, 11 different anthems were attempted as the Links Cup followed tradition in song. Keith Simpson lead the South Africans to victory with Lynn Slogrove winning all three formats and making her first Hole-in-One on the 4th. Other teammates scoring three points from three matches were – Thinus, Norman Pretorius and Hein Sevenster. The South Africans pulled away in the Singles after drawing the foursomes 6-6 and winning the Betterball 7 1/2 – 4 1/2. The final total 29-19 was reduced by the good play of Ken Gammie who won all three formats; Gillian Hammond and Gary Rhodes who spoiled the Anniversary golf for Ernest and Linda Muller by sweeping three points each for the Internationals. Carsten Christiansen raised the flag for Switzerland when he captured hi first ace on the 17th.
1st aces for Carsten and Lynn on 17 and 4!
Everyone is a winner in the Links Cup – Medals for all courtesy of Colin Higgins!
More to remember!
This was our best year to date in almost every way:
- We finished our 119th home on the estate (64 are permanent residents)
- 22 homes have been completed this year.
- 12 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
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
Oct 5 Els for Autism
Oct 11 ITEC Open Wednesday
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, Champions
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 Derek Ryan and Pieter Jerling, Champions
Jul 23-25 The Annual “Road Trip” Brian Wessels, Individual and Pards Cup Champion
Aug 6 Sanlam Cancer FINALS at St Francis Links
Aug 8-23 Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed
Sep 29-Oct 1 Links Cup – South Africa (29-19)
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 