Sometimes you have to go away to appreciate what you have!

Last week, Liezl and took some leave, attended meetings, learned from others and marketed the Links at every turn! We traveled to Sun City, Pecanwood, the Cradle of Humankind and Blair Athol, where I was the tournament director for the BMW Golf Cup National Finals.

As I stated in a recent newsletter, there are great specials for travel in SA. Liezl surprised me with a birthday gift to Sun City – pay for three and get a fourth free. I played and she ran the Gary Player course. It was the first time I had played there in a while. It is iconic. There was only one problem – from the Club tees, I was still playing a course that was too long for me (while hitting 12 of 14 fairways).

Lost City, the next day, was an absolute treat. Certainly, Covid and the reduced play on the course was a factor in the magnificent condition. But the course has also matured over the years, with a fantastic variety of shots on offer and scintillating views. I was as impressed with Lost City as Sun City. I spent time with Ken Payet, the PGA Director of Golf (and many other things). we discussed the courses, the lockdown and the way forward for Sun City. I am pleased to say that renovations are taking place all over – from landscape and course upgrades to hotel remodeling. The Palace, a real architectural wonder of the world is also in line for upgrades. One thing that was very impressive was the attitude of the staff. From the course workers to the waitrons, they were as friendly and attentive as I have ever experienced.

This may have been one of the few times where we were at Sun City without a business or otherwise defined programme. I recommend leaving paradise for one of their packages on offer. PS. We recommend Legends in the Main Hotel (SOHO) for a great meal and music.

Then I had a return trip to Pecanwood and a game of golf with their PGA Director of Golf, Morné Botha. What a transformation! From the early days, where there was a great Jack Nicklaus signature design, the homes almost detracted from the experience. Then they went through a tough period where homeowners and the developers were at odds. Today, they have an agreement with the Malaysians where the homeowners pay an annual fee and renovations are taking place. Bunkers were an issue and Morné has made a plan. The greenside bunker refurbishments are well underway, looking good and soon to be playing good, as well. I was really impressed.

Then, after two nights in the amazing Cradle (the Boutique Hotel) with its amazing restaurant that people travel to just for the food, we moved on to Blair Athol which was once Mr Player’s farm. I was the Tournament Director for the sixth time, a labour of love. The BMW Golf Cup National Championship is the qualifying tournament for the International Golf Cup played this year in Dubai. There were two men’s divisions and one ladies’ group. The winners finished on 39 (76 gross), 40 and 36pts. The event was presented in world-class fashion with great venues for dinner, a great course and fantastic entertainment. The participants were transported in BMW’s best and my friends Dan Nicholl and Jo-Ann Strauss were the tournament hosts.

If you want to travel, check out the special on our website or contact me BEFORE you book your golf elsewhere.

 

We love making memories! 

 

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for the email, I have submitted a review on trip advisor for you, however over and above this I would like to thank your team again for their exceptional service. From the moment I started planning our annual golf tour with Eugenie, it was an absolute pleasure dealing with her, she was nothing short of excellent in all aspects. The Links was a treat in all regards from the moment we arrived to the moment we left, from being welcomed with open arms, personally introduced to the course on the first tee, welcomed in on the 18th with beers on ice, a shootout comp and hosted like royalty with a delicious braai and host who ensured we were looked after from start to finish. Last but not least, the golf course was in immaculate condition and appreciated by all. 

Your team puts on a great experience at the Links and it is something clubs across South Africa can look up to. Thank you to the entire team for making the experience memorable. We look forward to seeing you soon in the near future.

Kind regards,

Mark

Thanks very much for hosting us.

The total experience was excellent and the golf course superb.

We really enjoyed the service, welcoming talk from Jeff and the shoot out.

We will certainly come again 

Regards, Dr. Bruce

Golfers of the Week!

19 May 2021 – Betterball Stableford
Winners – 44 Points
Chris Van Rensburg and Nico Vermaak

22  May 2021 – Betterball Stableford
Winners – 44 Points
Nick van Rensburg and Justin Coverly

26 May 2021 –  SuperSpar/Pam Golding Alliance
Winners – 88 Points
Norman Rock, Brett Wilson-Jones, Nick van Rensburg and Gavin Gobby

Click here for Complete Results

Download the Zapper app and take a chance!

 

Team member of the Week: Mzwandile Hinana

My name is Mzwandile Hinana and I have been working at the Links for the past 2 years, where I am employed as Sculler.
What I enjoy most about my job is that I am not only a sculler but help in the kitchen with prep work, I like watching how the other Chef’s cook and I like to ask questions as I would like to widen my knowledge more about cooking.
I love working at the Links, we are one big family, we all care for one another, and we support each other.
I am originally from King Williams Town, I moved to Sea Vista in 2008 and is staying with my aunt and niece. My mother still lives in King Williams Town, and I lost my father at a very young age.
My favourite bible verse is Jeremiah 5 verse 12
“They have belied the Lord, and said, it is not he; neither shall evil come on us; neither shall we see sword or famine”.

Thank you all for caring about your course – #leading the way

 

 

 

 

We look forward to our sponsored days with ITEC and Selective Lighting/The Fire Works and Pam Golding Properties and Village Square SuperSpar events.

New events – Ladies’ and Men’s Medal will be played on the 1st Wednesday of every month

7-8        Jan          Men’s Member-Member Partnership, Mark Ward and Richard Sharwood, Champions

13         Jan            ITEC Open Wednesday, Hein Spangenberg and Yan Coesens, 51pts 

27         Jan           Pam Golding/ Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Hein Spangenberg, Yan Coesens, Daryl vd Vyver and David vd Vyver, 92 Points

3           Feb           Monthly MEDAL, Shaun Viljoen and Lynn Slogrove

10         Feb           ITEC Wednesday, Yan Coesens and Hein Spangenberg, 47pts

14         Feb           Valentine’s Day Dress-up Golf; Gavin and Jaunita Gobby, 41pts

20         Feb           Greensomes, Scott Keevy, and Deon Marais, 41 pts

24         Feb           Pam Golding/ Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Simon Haigh, Yan Coesens, Charl Blaauw, Hein Spangenberg, 86pts

3           Mar          Monthly MEDAL, Gross – Fred V Eyssen, Nett – Brett Wilson-Jones, 69, Stableford – Hein Spangenberg, 35pts

5           Mar          Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun, Graham Botha and Geoff Garratt, 24pts

6-7       Mar          Pam Golding Annual – SFL vs SFB, SFB, 37.15 ave, SFL, 36.83 ave (.32 difference)

10         Mar          ITEC Wednesday, Charlie Gilmore and Neil Jones, 44pts

20        Mar          Foursomes, Dave Micklem and Norman Rock, 40 pts

31         Mar          Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Norman Rock, Tim Elliott, Michael Barratt, and Ronnie Nienaber, 81pts 

2          Apr           Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun, Debbie McCracken and Michael McGahey, 24pts 

2-4      Apr           Easter Weekend

7          Apr           Monthly MEDAL, Rita Du Plessis and Malcolm White 

9         Apr            Masters Par-3, shotgun at 15h00 (sponsored by Fitch and Leeds), Graham Botha 

27-28 Apr           Ladies Championships, Medal, Lynn Slogrove (G), Rita DuPlessis (N)

1-2      May          Stableford Championships (Men and Ladies) Chris V Rensburg (A), Doug Cornish (B), Dave Hart (C), Lynn Slogrove (A), and Alison Bosch (B) 

7          May         Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 15h00 shotgun Ernest and Linda Muller (donated back). 

26       May         Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance, Brett Wilson-Jones, Norman Rock, Nico Van Rensburg and Gavin Gobby, 88pts (85%)

29-30 May         Pam Golding Ladies’ OPEN Weekend

2          Jun          Monthly MEDAL

4          Jun           Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 14h00 shotgun

9          Jun           ITEC Wednesday

23        Jun           Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance

30-3    Jul            Nomads National Order of Merit (International Points)

7          Jul            Monthly MEDAL

16-18   Jul            Men’s 15th Invitational Member/Guest

18-21   Jul            30th Road Trip (PGA Invitational)

28        Jul            Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance,

6          Aug           Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 14h00 shotgun (postponed)

11        Aug           ITEC Wednesday –

14        Aug           Greensomes   –

21        Aug           Ladies’ Invitational

26       Aug           Pam Golding/Village Square SuperSpar Alliance,

1          Sep           Monthly MEDAL

3         Sep            Selective Lighting / The Fireworks – 14h00 shotgun

8         Sep            ITEC Open Wednesday

12       Sep            Foursomes

25-26 Sep           Links Cup (Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits)

27-11  Oct           Hollow-tining Spring Programme (Course Closed – Provisional)