NOMADS NATIONAL ORDER OF MERIT (NOoM)

Day 2

For several years, we have played host to the Nomads National Order of Merit. The top junior golfers in South Africa come and play 54 holes of championship golf. Jack Buchanan, ranked Number 5 in SA, was on top after two rounds with rounds of 72 and 69. Young Links member Shaun Viljoen, now 13, was tied for 4th after 36 holes. Competing against the best, he has done himself proud. With rounds of 70 and 75, he trailed by five shots.

Final Round

There was a gap between “the man” and the boys on the final day. Jack Buchanan ignored the wind with his Milnerton-based swing. His driving iron pierced the westerly on the first and he didn’t look back, turning in 2-under par as the others faded. Our local star, Shaun Viljoen lost a bit of confidence in the tough conditions but he has done himself proud playing with the best of the best! Jordan Wessels, Kay Sadler’s grandson, was in the mix all week. He recently won the KZN Amateur Championship.

 

Scores so far…

Front nine – best per hole – all birdies and eagles on 6; worst per hole +32 for the nine! 10-18 WAS PLAYED IN -9 eclectic best and +26 over par, eclectic worst. (make you feel better?)

The course got the better of Jordan and most of the guys on the final day. But Jack charged and won going away. Fabrizio de Abreu gave a massive fist pump when he rolled in a 25-footer on the last for birdie. That shows grit after starting 6 over after 4.

I was exceptionally proud of Shaun Viljoen – hey, let’s remember he is thirteen! Shaun had a rough start but came back and played the 2nd nine to finish with 2-over 38 and a tie for 10th.

Ian Gooden was here representing Nomads, the National sponsor. The Nomads just keep giving back to golf.

 

In closing, we have received criticism from some resident members who saw divots not replaced and some poor manners. Most of the boys took care of the course and displayed the manners of gentlemen. We have played this event for the past 12 years and have seen tour players come from here. Before every round, we addressed course etiquette with the players.  Please share your thoughts.

 

The very popular Nick Mallett shared his insight

 

PW Harvey (Gavin Harvey) hosted a great morning at The Links with Nick Mallett as the guest speaker. PW Harvey has breakfast with guest speakers discussing finance and investments every quarter. This week was different. It was all about the World Cup of Rugby. Nick’s presentation was excellent, right down to why we kicked after three phases. He explained that the refs are so anti-SA that we have a better chance of avoiding penalties by doing so! He went on to why our team this year will be better than the champions in 2019 and how we’d be better off playing New Zealand than France IF we make the quarter-finals.

 

Tour and Tipple

Last week we toured some of our non-golfing (and golfing) members around the course where assistants Danny and Walt from the course maintenance team discussed what makes St Francis Links so great. We covered everything from Jack Nicklaus’ great layout and his love for this piece of land to the grasses that grow and the balance between man and nature. Captains Sally and Ronnie were on hand as well to encourage the non-golfers to take up the game. You see, it’s not just a pretty view from the living room windows. The soup and sherry were pretty convincing as well.

 

Another great week of Golf

Please acknowledge and support all of our great sponsors!

 

 

 

 

Last of the best!

 

Are you in the market for a golf cart? We are selling our 4-year-olds with 2-year-old batteries. Contact our Golf Shop to book a viewing or find out about other options: Refurbished Models OR Brand New OR Drop in LITHIUM conversions (Tel 042 2004500)

 

GOLFRSA

 

 

 

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