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St Francis Links – Premier League Champions 2024 |
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| On 21 July, St Francis Links completed an unbeaten 2024 season to emerge as Eastern Province Golf Premier League Champions for the first time in the club’s history. A wonderful achievement in a division that has been dominated over the years by the older clubs.
Sunday was the culmination of an extraordinary journey that began in 2019 when we entered the league, having to start from the bottom in the 2nd division:
- 2019: Champions 2nd division and promoted to 1st division
- 2020: Champions 1st division and promoted to Premier League
- 2021: Cancelled due to covid
- 2022: Premier League – last position
- *Boetie Zietsman had to sink a clutch putt to keep us from being relegated back to 1st division!
- 2023: No result – competition not completed
- 2024: Premier League Champions
As the new kids on the block, and most times on paper, the underdogs, an extraordinary fighting spirit emerged within the team culture over the years, led in the beginning by the example of matchplay stalwarts Keith Simpson and Boetie Zietsman. And this spirit certainly continued throughout the 2024 season.
This year, our team entered Sunday’s fourth and final league match round in tied first position with Humewood and 2 points ahead of PEGC. Needing a win in both matches played at Walmer GC, the boys came out to play beating PEGC 17-1 and Humewood 12-6 to walk away with the prestigious title of Premier League Champions.
St Francis Links was represented in 2024 by Chris van Rensburg, Pieter Zietsman, Shaun Viljoen, Fouche Swart, Boetie Zietsman, Jacques van der Walt, Tony Gunton, Steve Dent, Ernest Benderman and Jaco Viljoen.
The team would like to thank every player that represented since 2019, especially two of our mainstays over the years, Keith Simpson and Mark Ward.
A special thank you from the team to the members and staff who encouraged and supported, especially Gary de Bruin and Fitch & Leedes for the kit sponsorship which is hugely appreciated.
Results 2024:
- Round 1: Wedgewood 11-7 / Graaff Reinet 14-4
- Round 2: Walmer GC 12-6
- Round 3: Uitenhage 16-2
- Round 4: PEGC 17-1 / Humewood 12-6
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The Annual Men’s Invitational ticked all the boxes |
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| Two times in three years! |
| Dean Lailvaux and his very capable partner, Ian Pienaar won the Men’s Invitational for the second time, after setting a 9-shot advantage (51 pts) on the first day. Emile Nel and Bennie Piek did their best to chase them down and came 2nd!
The compliments for the course, the organisation, the food and the overall service came in from all corners! Thanks team! |
| This event has become our largest and most popular members event… just another reason to join us next year! |
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The “Other” Annual Invitational |
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| Also known as the Earring Boys, Austin Schreiber and Francois De Vos lead a group of 12 enthusiastic golfers every year at the Invitational. They play for the priceless Draaikolk Trophy, sponsored by Coenie Smith, President, Captain and Manager at the Draaikolk Club. Charl Blaauw and his partner Steve Booysen etched their names on this magnificent piece of art. |
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Upcoming Ladies Invitational |
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| But wait! The ladies are right behind you as we host our annual Ladies Invitational this coming weekend!
Who will add their names to the trophy? Last year, Lynn Slogrove and Noeline de Ridder added their names to the brass with 42 points… watch this space as we report back!
We thank the ever-present and supporting Bard’au & Co, as well as Local Real Estate for their sponsorships and enhancement of this wonderful ladies event! |
| Another brilliant turnout for the Mixed Couples took place on Sunday.
Congratulations to “The Ghost Captain” Gert Vorster, Gunny Banks, Alan Ritchie and Nicola Ritchie on a fine performance to clinch the infamous Spring Chicken Trophy!
A special mention and thank you to Hospitality Manager Pieter and his team for laying on a great lunch for all. Also, to Nazeem and Poppie in the Golf Shop for dealing with all the last-minute changes so calmly and efficiently.
The weather was a bit of a test initially, but then the day cleared up beautifully. |
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Men’s Knockout Champions! |
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| The play by Archie Bell and Kevin McNaughton over the knockout rounds was exceptional. We’re not sure if they ever played THE LAST TWO HOLES! Makes us feel better knowing that when they shook hands with partners Jeff Clause and Gary de Bruin on the 15th hole (on Jeff’s birthday), that they would go on to win. Dean Lailvaux and Barry Davis came second. |
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| Every year, the PGA of South Africa’s Eastern and Southern Cape members gather for camaraderie, networking and golf! Arriving on The Open Sunday, they all gather to enjoy the final round, dinner and then tee it up together for two days of Pro golf! Justin hosted them on day one at the Bay and on Day two, we hosted them at the Links.
The feedback was incredible! Both courses were touted as being in “perfect” condition and our members and staff can be truly proud!
This year, Justin Roux and Sean Farrell walked away with the honours, clutching putts on the 16th, 17th and 18th to beat legends Dave Usendorff and Graham Whale! We can’t wait for 2025! |
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Rotary Club of St Francis is going from strength to strength! |
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| Jeff Clause, who has received Rotary Paul Harris Fellow recognition for his contributions over the years, has always supported their efforts. This incredible organisation, known for its civilian service, was founded as the Rotary Club of Chicago in 1905 by American attorney Paul P. Harris. From there it has grown into one of the largest organisations in the world to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.
Jeff and Liezl were honoured to be invited to the Rotary Induction Dinner held at St Francis Links earlier this month. The new president, Manfred Burkert was inducted and outgoing president Lindsay Pearson summarised the Rotary Club St Francis achievements during the past year as follows:
- Our activities have covered all the avenues of service, namely
- Club Service which has focused on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club
- Community Service which covered the projects and activities the club has undertaken to improve life in our community
- International Service which has encompassed actions taken to expand our humanitarian reach around the globe to promote world understanding and peace
- Vocational Service in which we serve others through our vocations and practise high ethical standards
- Youth Service, in which we promote environments which lead to growth and development
- Environmental Sustainability, in which we have worked closely with FOSTER and the Kromme Enviro Trust in focusing on projects which protect, rehabilitate and sustain the environment.
- Our major events included The Adventure World Championships, The Amazing Race, The Seagull Regatta, The Golden Oldies Christmas celebration, and The Rotary International Family Health Day.
- We have been able to support Talhado, Disneyland crèche, Sea Vista Primary School, Tharos Youth and Child care centre, the Sea Vista Sibanye Ladies group, the two excellent environmental groups in the area, FOSTER and the Kromme Enviro Trust, all the Animal Welfare organisations in the area, the 3 NSRI stations in the area, and the upgrade of the St Francis Bay fire station. In addition, we have ring-fenced R700 000 to be used towards the upgrade of the clinic.
- One of our newest projects is the funding of cataract operations for patients in Sea Vista, the first two of which were done a few weeks ago.
- We are also supporting a number of the youth activities that are taking place under the auspices of the Sea Vista Umbrella Group.
- Ivan Beaumont has done a splendid job acting on behalf of the Garden Route Community trust in distributing E-Pap to organisations in the immediate St Francis Bay area, and in Tsitsikamma.
- We are very proud to be associated with the Interact Club of Woodridge, who, under the expert guidance of Elsa Ross, continue to do excellent work. We have also supported a number of youth activities in the area, including marshalling at St Francis College’s mountain biking event, and supporting the various initiatives of the Kromme Enviro Trust, such as coastal clean-ups and other educational programmes.
- The Readings family hosted Julie Pimcemin from France for 4 weeks, and Zoe travelled to France in December on a short-term exchange programme.
- I must also mention the generosity of Billies Beach in asking us to be “the safe pair of hands” to disburse R500 000 to the following entities: NSRI, St Francis Cycling Club, Sanitary Products as needed in the community and schools, St Francis Fire station upgrade, medical equipment to the Sea Vista Clinic, Sea Vista Primary School sports field upgrade, Football kits to all local football clubs, Early Childhood Development through the excellent lego block training of teachers and practitioners, Solar Lights for the Marina Village walkway, and the Surf School.
- Our major fundraisers included The Amazing Race, The Golf Day, and of course, Wine on Water.
- 5 new members were inducted during the past year, bringing the total local membership to 26, the largest it has ever been.
- The club continues to meet twice a month at the Links and a highlight was winning 3 of the DG’s annual awards: best quarterly newsletter; best fundraiser in the district; best club in the district.
St Francis Links is proud to be associated with this organisation and extend our congratulations to the St Francis club and new president Manfred. We encourage you to join and view their winning newsletter here: https://gap-advertising.co.za/rotarynews24/ |
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| Further recipients of the Paul Harris award: Anne Knight, David Truter, Craig Northwood, Lyn Aiken, the late Tom Roux, represented by his wife Patsy and Ivan Beaumont, with Lindsay Pearson at the podium. |
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Golf results – Wednesday 24 July 2024 |
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| Winners of the meat prizes: |
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Our own local producer Jeff Brooker brings an exciting show to St Francis Links! |
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| If you’ve been in St Francis long enough, you would have met Bruce and Gail Brooker who support local all the way! And so we are proud to host their son Jeff Brooker’s production “Every Brilliant Thing”! With over 100 tickets sold already, we recommend you get yours right away…
“A heart-wrenching, hilarious play… One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop.” – The Guardian
“Filled to the brim with joy… beautiful, heart-wrenching and very funny.” – Time Out London
6 August 2024 | 19h00 | Tickets available via Quicket
Scan the QR code and get your tickets now!
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Amazing golf packages available |
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| Most golfers look at an approach shot and if not planning for perfection, plan for near perfection.
We’re advocating that you look at the green ahead and plan to make sure you never lose 2 shots and always leave yourself the opportunity for an up and down if you do miss the green. You plan to avoid the trouble that makes that most difficult.
Below is a layout similar to the one we used in the first of this series. What would be your cover number and where, informed by your shot dispersion pattern, would you be aiming? |
| This is the complexity of the problem that faces the very best and the least experienced.
The Par 3 12th at Augusta is a hole that requires a very clear thought process. Challenges like that, designed to frustrate a player or spoil a good round, exist on our course. They exist on every golf course. Learn more. |
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Let us help you have a great round |
| Why not challenge us? Come and book a playing lesson and we’ll provide swing advice and technique improvement. But we’ll also provide you insights that will reduce your frustrations with the game and allow you to shoot lower scores. |
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| Find time with friends to play a fun 9-holes with a difference late one afternoon in the week. Excluding Par 3s, after each tee shot, you get to walk your golf ball up to 25 metres further up the fairway (if you found the fairway) or 25 metres further up the rough (if you found the rough).
Drop your ball, and that’s where you’re playing your 2nd shot from. |
| Was that a lot of fun? How much easier were your approach shots? What did you score?
Forget the technology story or hype. A fitting session with a 2024 driver to create the right launch conditions and consistency, along with added ball speed, can give you that 25 metres. For some golfers will get even more. |
| It’s not about the feeling of hitting the ball 25 metres further off the tee. It’s the feeling you get when you’re faced with a 25 metres shorter approach. That will mean less likelihood of serious trouble and more magic moments. Going as far as possible down the fairway changes your experience of the game of golf. |
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