Shaun and Janine repeat (through playoffs)
Shaun Botha and Janine VD Merwe will have their names engraved on their respective trophies again this year as we celebrate the first of our 10th year activities – the Men’s and Ladies Club Championships.
When it’s a Major, give it major attention to detail! …because we can!
Shaun played with Ernest Bendeman over the last nine holes and looked like he didn’t see a repeat on the cards following a double-double start. But the big-hitting Botha can also hunt flags and he got it back to 1-over before slipping again on the last 3. The ever-steady Ernest, fired off 3 consecutive 40’s to match Shaun on 120 after 27-holes. His rounds included a triple-bogey 7 on the 18th. Both returned to the 18th where Shaun launched a drive over the dam and passed the bunker leaving only a short wedge to the green (I always thought 18 was hard). Ernest, after a solid drive he placed his approach some 20 feet from the hole. After rolling his putt past the hole, Shaun lipped out from 10 feet behind. Ernest let the return putt slip by on the right, admitting afterwards that he was already thinking about the next tee shot. Oops.
Janine’ playoff win was a little more bizarre as no one seemed to know what the others shot on the morning round. Janine was told that Helen’s morning round was 10 shots highers than what she shot and Helen thought Janine’s morning round was 10 shots better than is was – can you say “check the scores”. When the ladies finished finished their 27th hole, all eyes were on Janine and the kisses and hugs followed. Then and only when the scores were totaled, did anyone realize that Helen had the early lead – Janine made up 7 shots on the last nine to tie! Would Helen have played the last nine differently had she known she started with the lead??? We will never know. Sadly for Helen, her first putt in the playoff was too strong and she missed the one coming back. That’s golf, folks!
Everyone from Charl and his team to Thinus and Eugenie and theirs, make the Champs special for all!
Both Helen and Ernest will have their names placed on the Honour’s Board as their secured the Nett Championship in both divisions. Madeleine Barry won the Ladies’s B Divisions with an impressive 53 pts (1-over) for 27 holes and Mike Wylie discovered that converting to the Stableford Division was a good move as he passed the leaders with 17 points on his last nine holes. Tim Elliott and Darren Hammond were 2nd and 3rd respectively. A new event was launched when Mother Nature came with ‘a mood’ to start the weekend. After the decision was taken to reduce the event to 27 holes (80kms of wind), it pushed through in the night. After a rainy and windy morning, the Ultimate Par-3 was the perfect answer for the day. Fred V Eyssen and Helen Bridges agreed as they won the inaugural event. In years to come, the Ultimate Par-3 will be the “curtain raiser” for the Champs and other events.
Champions, Janine and Shaun Our PGA Professionals – here to improve YOUR golf!
SFL plays host to the Seniors’ ladies
When asked by the organizing committee is we wouldn’t want to take part in a special day away for the ladies attending the National Seniors in PE, we were quick to jump in. 40 golfers overcome a cool day to produce some good scores. Another group toured the Village, the township and the penguin rehab center before enjoying a presentation from the ladies in the Aqua Spa on skin care. Then the entire group enjoyed lunch and a cooking presentation by Chef Brad Castle.
Wind and rain…nothing a little Creme Brulee couldn’t sort out
Book your fourball NOW!
Rotary Festival and the Nautical Festival – another reason to be HERE!
What a perfect weekend to be in the Bay – the non-golfers will find activities throughout the Port and Village – golfers will play TWO Top-100 golf courses – all for the price of one game!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Proudly Sponsored – ITEC SOLUTIONS and Harcourts will be our sponsors for OPEN Wednesday (2nd Wednesday) and Harcourt’s Wednesday (3rd 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!
March (every Tuesday) – 10am Coffee Break for our lady members
April 30 – May 1: Rotary/makro golfing weekend
May 7: Ladies Invitational
May 8: Mother’s Day Lunch!
ST FRANCIS LINKS “MAJORS” AND “SPECIAL EVENTS” FOR 2016
Note the NEW Dates for 2016:
April 9: 1st Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
April 23-24: Club Championships
June 18: 2nd Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
July 9: Sanlam Cancer Challenge – SFL Qualifier
July 15-17: Men’s Invitational – Special NEW Friday event and Shoot-out
Proud Sponsors of the Ladies OPEN Weekend and the ANNUAL
July 17: 3rd Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
July 30: 4th Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
August 6: Ladies’ Invitational
August 6: 5th Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
August 8-23: Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed
August 21: Sanlam Cancer Challenge FINALS
September 24: Final Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
September 30, October 1-2: Links Cup
November 19-20: Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend
November 25-27: Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Serengeti)
2016 International Events
US Masters – Augusta National, Georgia – April 7-10 – Danny Willett, Champion
US Open – Oakmont CC, Oakmont, Pennsylvania – June 16-19
Open Championship – Royal Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland – July 14-17
US PGA – Baltusrol (Lower Course), Springfield, New Jersey – July 28-31
The Ryder Cup – Hazeltine, Minnesota – September 30 to October 2
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 
The St Francis Links Team