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Our very own André Hugo brings home the accolades with this stunning video! |
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| Links homeowner André Hugo runs his own video production company and has collaborated with notable clients such as Airlink, Novo Nordisk and Giant Bicycles. André has been in the media industry for the past 12 years, initially starting as a web designer but always nurturing a passion for video creation.
“From a young age, I was drawn to technology, and when digital cameras first emerged, I began experimenting with creating skateboard films with friends,” Andre recalls. “Never did I imagine this would one day become my profession. In fact, I wouldn’t have transitioned in 2018 if it weren’t for a website client who requested a quick promotional video. That pivotal moment transformed my hobby into a career.”
He continues to fuel his passion by pursuing projects he is truly enthusiastic about, such as the award-winning film he produced. “Despite the client’s limited budget, I was captivated by the vision and determined to bring it to life. In order to make it work I figured out a way to shoot it in just 4 1/2 hours which helped to keep the costs down.”
He operates his business from St Francis Bay, residing at St Francis Links with his wife and four children.
He won this stunning award with this video highlighting the beauty of Oyster Bay! Take a look. |
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Congratulations Janet on your first Hole-in-One |
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| On the 23rd of June 2024 our Ladies Vice-Captain Janet McNaughton, playing in the Sunday Funday Braai Golf School, used her 4 hybrid to perfection on the 17th Hole!
We hope this is just the first of many! |
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Repairing Ball Marks: 5 Things Every Golfer Should Know! |
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From the St Francis Links Pro’s Team
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| Whilst setting up the course on Friday, it amazed me just how many pitch marks go either unrepaired or incorrectly repaired… I know that most of us religiously repair ours as well as others pitch marks, however, I feel that it does not hurt anyone to remind ourselves how to correctly repair our pitch marks.
According to the USGA these are the five things every golfer should know regarding ball marks. |
1. The proper technique for ball mark repair is easy and fast
Insert the ball mark repair tool behind the ball mark and gently push the top of the tool toward the center. Continue working around the ball mark, pushing the surrounding turf in toward the center of the indentation. Avoid using a lifting or twisting motion because this can damage turf roots. Once you have finished pushing turf in toward the center, gently tamp the area down with your putter to create a smooth, firm surface.
2. Unrepaired ball marks cause lasting problems
Failing to repair a ball mark may seem like a minor oversight, but there are lasting consequences. Unrepaired ball marks can take weeks to heal, during which time they can cause balls to bounce off line. The damage to the putting surface is also an entry point for weeds that can cause serious problems.3. Certain putting greens are more vulnerable to ball marks than others
Any putting green that typically receives high, lofted approach shots will be more susceptible to ball marks. The putting greens on par-3 holes are a perfect example. If you recognise that a putting green is prone to damage from ball marks, it is important to be mindful of repairing your own ball mark and a few unrepaired ones nearby.
4. Soft conditions mean more ball marks
When putting greens are wet or soft, ball marks will be more of an issue. This is just one of the reasons why superintendents work hard to promote firm playing conditions with aeration, topdressing, and other maintenance practices. If excessive thatch accumulates beneath the putting surface, ball marks and other turf issues will be more problematic.
5. Almost any pointed tool can be used to successfully repair a ball mark
Many different tools have been created to repair ball marks, including single-pronged and fork-shaped tools. Almost any pointed tool, including a golf tee, can be used to effectively repair a ball mark. Using the proper technique is the key to success.
Repairing ball marks is one of the easiest ways that golfers can help superintendents deliver high-quality playing conditions. After hitting a great shot onto the putting green, fixing your ball mark and a couple nearby is an excellent way to celebrate.
Please may you also refer to the following YouTube tutorial on how to properly repair a pitch mark. |
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| I am sure that we can all agree that our greens are magnificent now. This is thanks to the tireless work that Charl and his team do day in and day out. Let us work together to keep them in such excellent condition. |
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Off the hospitality hot press! |
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By our Hospitality Manager Pieter Germishuys
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| Cooking is an art form where one can engage with young, old and everyone out there.
Cooking a dish takes you on a journey of nostalgia and joy!
Our Chefs will be sharing some recipes that are easy to prepare, cost effective, and will help those spare cupboard ingredients you haven’t used in a while.
CREAMY CHICKEN, SUNDRIED TOMATO, GARLIC, MUSHROOM AND BASIL PENNE
Serves: 4
What do you need?
Butter
Cake Flour
400g Chicken Breast Fillets, Cubed
100g Sundried Tomatoes, Sliced
Garlic, Crushed or Fresh (Thinly Sliced)
200g Mushrooms, Sliced
Fresh Basil
Milk (approximately 1L, depends how thick you want the sauce)
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Penne Pasta (or ANY other pasta)
Cream (Not a must, however it makes pasta just more delicious)
Parmesan Cheese
How to prepare it?
Before you start doing anything! Pour yourself a glass of wine (White, Red, Rose) or even a brandy! |
- Melt butter, over low heat, in a pan. Add the Chicken Fillets and cook (or sauté if you want to be all fancy) until almost cooked. Add the garlic, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle a little cake flour over the cooked chicken (not a lot…this is going to form the thickening agent, or ROUX) for the sauce. Now add milk slowly and stir on low heat to mix through. As you continue to add the milk, the sauce will thicken.
- In the meantime, bring a pot of water to the boil and add salt. There is a whole debate whether one should add oil to the water, but that is something that I will discuss and explain over a bottle of wine. Add the Tagliatelle or pasta of your choice to the water. ook until Al denté (soft, but still firm). Drain and keep aside BUT don’t forget to leave a little bit of the pasta water in the pot!
- Back to the Sauce: Add some cream to your sauce as well as the chopped or torn Basil leaves (fresh is better). Season again. At this stage, you may add Parmesan cheese or keep it aside to sprinkle on top.
- To Plate: You can either mix the Tagliatelle through with the sauce or keep it separate. Top with parmesan cheese, fresh basil and you have a winner…
If you have enjoyed the recipe, do send me an e-mail to hospitality@stfrancislinks.com and I will definitely come visit! |
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Meet your new bar manager, Prince! |
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| Service is at the forefront of our initiatives and we would like to introduce our new Head Barman, Prince!
Together with the team, he will ensure that your drinks do not run dry, and you are hydrated after a long round of golf! |
| Our continued thanks to Gary De Bruin and Fitch & Leedes who will also spend time and effort investing into the success of our bar and barmen, through training, bar designs and tips for exceptional bar service! |
| John Hallam puts a noteworthy display on our Ultimate Par 3 Course |
| On average 53% of your golf game – is from one hundred metres in!
So having a sharp short game is important if you want to be in for a chance to win the top prizes.
John Hallam is a member of ours that will often tackle our stunning Par 3 course. Let us have a look at a recent scorecard of his. All we have to say is…wow! |
Friday 14 June
Out: 4, 5, 3, 3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4 = 29
In: 1, 2, 3, 5, 3, 4, 2, 2, 4 = 26
Total: Fifty-five. |
6 Pars, 5 Birdies and a Hole-in-One on the 10th Hole!
His hole in one on 10th was with a pitching wedge! Well done!Shaun Viljoen keeps the current par three scoring record – with a 50 (4 under par)
We encourage our members to get out on the course and chase this number! |
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Hitting their stride with a Solstice run |
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| St Francis Links loved hosting the St Francis Runners Club for the annual Solstice Run on Tuesday evening!
They ran and walked the parkrun route and ended the evening with great hospitality enjoying pizza and beer at the clubhouse. |
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Some highlights to look forward to |
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| It’s BOK TIME! And you can find the fixtures here. |
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Check out these incredible golf packages! |
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Saving you money this winter |
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And making you money in the summer |
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| One of the quickest way to drop shots off your scorecard is to take less putts. And being stuck indoors doesn’t have to leave you without a chance of becoming a better putter. Two simple drills to practice. |
| Get set up with a ball on one end of your yardstick. Now try and putt the ball so that is stays on the length of the yardstick before coming off the end. This will help you develop the skill to hit the ball squarely without side spin. |
| Create a gate for your putter to swing through, as shown above. Now make a putt aiming at your target and swinging the putter through the gate without touching either side. This drill will improve your ability to putt down the line with a square face at impact. |
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Both these drills help in so many ways |
| Practice these on a regular basis and you will end up finding the sweet spot of your putter much more frequently. That will benefit not only your accuracy. It will improve your speed control and mean less three-putts. If you want us to take a look at your setup and stroke before you start practicing, then speak to us. |
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| With the Progressive Grooves in Srixon’s ZX Mk II Irons, you get improved launch and distance on approach while adding spin and stopping power on scoring shots into the green. |
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Tricky lies |
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Practice helps |
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| You should always try and make practice both fun and purposeful. And who wants to practise the most difficult shots? |
| There’s a fun way to practise your ability to escape difficult lies. Find a partner. Go to the short-game practice area. Taking it in turns, choose a difficult lie in the bunker or in the rough (try and find slopes), and then challenge them to get up and down. |
| By combining technical know-how with this playful approach, we’ll help you get a lot more comfortable playing from uncomfortable lies. |
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