SA Juniors put on a show!

Jeff ClauseSanta Says

2019NOoMC SFL BenvanWykJeffClause1

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Wow, these boys can play!
 
Sunshine Tour’s Lali Stander said it best… 

Van Wyk hits the mark at St Francis Links
2019NOoMC SFL BenvanWykJeffClause1
 
ST FRANCIS BAY, 28 June 2019 – Ben van Wyk got instant redemption with a two-shot triumph in the Nomads National Order of Merit Coastal at St Francis Links just days after faltering down the stretch while in contention in the Dimension Data Junior Open.
The reigning Nomads SA Boys U-19 Match Play champion posted the lowest junior score in the club’s history and equalled an amateur record that stood for 13 years when he fired a six-under-par 66 in the opening round on the Jack Nicklaus signature course.
He backed that up with a two-under 70 to win the title that has eluded him for the last three years.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the winner’s circle,” Van Wyk said. “For the last three years, I’ve led this tournament in the first round and threw it away on the last day. I told myself not this time; not after last week’s disappointment.”
The 18-year-old Fancourt golfer shared the lead with Christiaan Maas going into the final round of the Dimension Data Junior Open at his home course last Tuesday.
He faded just slightly after a double bogey at the third but kept pace with the Gauteng junior on the Montague course. However, a trio of bogeys over the last four holes put paid to his chances of overhauling Maas for victory.
A share of third was scant reward for the quality golf Van Wyk produced.
 
Fancourt junior Ben van Wyk won the Nomads National Order of Merit Coastal at St Francis Links; credit GolfRSA.
“It stung a little bit, but I let it go because I love St Francis Links. I’ve always played well here and I knew if I made a good start, I’d have another chance. That kept me motivated. And the putter was hot on the first day,” he said.
Birdies at the second and third, and another brace at the fifth and sixth holes pushed Van Wyk into pole position and he never relinquished the lead. He added two more birdies at 12 and 13 and offset a lone bogey at 14 with a birdie at the par three 17th for 66.
“I struck the ball really well and I hit almost every fairway and green. I put myself in good positions to go for the right side of the greens and the putter did the rest,” he said.
Another blistering start in the final round kept the George teenager in front.
“I hit it close on the first, lipped out for eagle at the par-five third and hit a 6-iron to three foot at the short fourth to go three-under in the first four holes,” Van Wyk said. “Unfortunately I hit a bit of a rough spot before the turn. I hit a 4-iron in and was in an awkward spot and couldn’t up-and-down for par at the eighth. On the ninth, I expected my second shot to fade. It stayed straight, went into the hazard and I ended up making double.”
He gained back two shots with birdies at 12 and 13 but dropped another at the par five (16) after a wayward drive. He reached the final hole with a one-shot lead and was almost in trouble after a poor tee-shot, but the Fancourt golfer saved the day with a brilliant approach. He hit a perfect 9-iron to three feet and calmly boxed the putt to seal a two-shot victory on eight-under 146.
The triumph gave Van Wyk an injection of confidence.
“I am really stoked about this win. This was my last official tournament in South Africa and it’s a great feeling to leave for the United States with two big wins under the belt,” said Van Wyk, who is taking up a golf scholarship at Augusta University in George in August.
“The Nomads events always draw the best junior golfers and to win against the best is pretty awesome. It’s been a great season so far, and I’ll take a lot of confidence to the United States.”
A runner-up finish also bodes well for Casey Jarvis from Ekurhuleni, who takes up his title defence in the Nomads SA Boys Under-17 Championship at the same venue next week.
Jarvis helped the GolfRSA Junior Proteas to a record victory in the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan last Friday and, despite still recovering from mumps, immediately flew to the Eastern Province to get some game time on the challenging Jack Nicklaus layout.
Jarvis began the final round four shots behind Van Wyk after a first round 70 and the 15-year-old State Mines golfer still trailed the leader by a few shots through 10 holes.
He turned up the heat on the back nine and racked up a pair of birdies and an eagle at the par-five 16th for a 68 to take second on six-under.
Fellow GolfRSA National Squad members Cole Stevens and Jordan Duminy finished third and fourth respectively.
Stevens from Gauteng carded rounds of 71 and 67 to finish on five-under, while SA Amateur finalist Duminy returned rounds of 67 and 73 for a four-under aggregate.
Final Result Top 20
136 Ben van Wyk 66 70
138 Casey Jarvis 70 68
139 Cole Stevens 71 68
140 Jordan Duminy 67 73
141 Samual Mckenzie 74 67; Nikhil Gopal 69 72
143 Christiaan Maas 71 72; Nikhil Rama 71 72
144 Samuel Simpson 72 72
145 James Murray 72 73
148 Jaden Deltel 71 77
149 Jean Pierre van der Watt 74 75; Reece Coleman 70 79
150 Yurav Premlall 69 81
151 Amilkar Bhana 77 74; Malan Potgieter 76 75; Ayden Senger 74 77
152 Kieron van Wyk 78 74; Jaime Clive Lewis 76 76; Jonathan Wilsenach 75 77
 
I always like to see the stats, especially in tournaments played over multiple days and in changing conditions. Day 1 was a “pearler” with almost no wind and Day 2 provided the players with a little westerly that came in at 15-20kms. 
Check out how the holes played to par and note how tough the 4th was to the top green on Day 2. 
 Day 1 sm
Day 2 sm
Look at all the red numbers! 
NOoM day1
Day 1 
This week were are hosting the Boy’s Under 17 National Championship…I expect more of the same! 
Come out and watch…

Hat’s off to Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Here’s a young man who has truly fought off life’s challenges to reach the top of the golfing ladder. Read the attached to understand what a miracle he has become. Christiaan just won at Valderrama, Spain’s answer to Augusta. He held off the Rahm’s and Garcia’s with poise in winning his first European Tour event, by a whopping 6 shots. 
 
Biz 
 

Alison makes it Number 5! 

ali 
 
 She has her name on the Hole-in-ONE board here 3 times, twice on 17 and now on 7! Her other two came on the 8th at St Francis Bay GC. When I spoke to her later, she credited Lynn Slogrove for some good alignment advice before her hole out on 7! 
 

 
 
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Coming soon – put these in the MUST DO column

 July

100

 Limited to 100 people! You must be present!  Yes, I am showing support for the St Francis College as we do for all the area schools with special events and fundraisers. The College has grown to more than 160 learners. The programmes are excellent and there is no doubt that it has been a drawcard for investment here by young families! 

100

    


The St Francis Links HOTEL by Mantis – SHOW UNITS are under construction 

The proposed St Francis Links Hotel by Mantis is being sold as a sectional title scheme. Now, three units are being built as show units to promote sales. 

show  show2

 The show unit, comprised of one, two bedroom unit and two, one-bedroom units will be complete for the season. 

The Hotel will consist of 60 1 and 2-bedroom suites, modelled after the successful hotel development at Pearl Valley, where the 2nd phase was launched recently. The Clubhouse will be home to reception manned 24/7, the Food and Beverage services, AquaSpa and of course, the home of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course!  Pam Golding Properties are handling the sales for the Hotel. Neil Fox is the lead person. Neil Fox neil.fox@pamgolding.co.za Saria Blaauw is assisting and they are dividing their time at The Links 

                    


Our events  

New ITS Logo 1   selective

Ernie and Linda Müller and their Team from Selective Lighting are making Fridays extra special at St Francis Links. Once a month, they host the Selective Lighting/The Fireworks Friday Competition. We shotgun start the players for 9 holes. Starting times are based on the season, 14h30 in the “Cool Season” and 15h30 in the summer months. Be a part of growing the Club and join us for nine and some good times after golf! Please enter in advance for numbers.

 

ITEC are 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, sometimes 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”

Monday Men’s Book Club – 5pm in Jack’s Bar (no reading required)
Ladies’ Tea (and Coffee) – Every Tuesday at 10am on the Veranda

Every Great shot starts (and ends) with a SMILE!

 

Santa and the Links TEAM

 

 

 

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