The Best Week in GOLF – The Masters

Jeff ClauseSanta Says

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The Masters – Who’s your pick???

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I’ve said it before, but this week’s Masters has the makings to be one of the hottest golfing fields in recent years. Three South Africans plus my perrenial favorite, Ernie, will be knocking at the door. Charl, Louis and Gracie are all packing the tools required to handle the distance, shot-making and putting to compete. Having had the opportunity to walk the fairways from tee to green and every sight and surround, I have an even greater appreciation for the quality of golf and mental strength needed for victory. 

Tradition – when Augusta was designed, the players and the spectators were both looked after at every turn. The atmosphere at Augusta is different than anywhere else, There are no cell phones allowed once the tournament is underway – no cameras – no radios – no big screens – no communication other than the roars throughout and the manual boards stategically placed at the facility. 

The entire facility, from the merchandise locations with tills for Africa, Fed-Ex next door and storage for your purchases to the spotless toilets with attendents who love their “opportinity” for the week, to the food and beverage areas landscaped like they are permanent structures with non-branded bevarages and pimento-cheese sandwiches for a $1.50 to the spotless fairways and natural amphitheatres for viewing, it is all truly special. The members run the show, while they are postioned at tees and greens, at entrances and exits, most have duties to perform, keeping an eye out for those who transgress at the hallowed ground.

Read some of the stories that are on the net today – stories about the history, the ora we call Augusta. Current Chairman, Billy Payne is on a quiet and successful mission to give back to golf in ways you may not know. Augusta is a major partner in a golf programme called First Tee where juniors all over America are introduced to the game. They are now supporting international competitions in Asia and Central America where the winners qualify to play in The Masters. This week, the kids who competed all over America in the Drive, Pitch and Putt events, will meet at Augusta to determine the champions in their age groups – imagine what that will be like.

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So, while Louis, Gracie and the boys are playing for the green jacket and a lifetime membership at the world’s number 1 golf club (ask Trevor or Charl or Mr Player), Augusta will be upholding the traditions of the game, staging the greatest show on earth and banking a couple of million along the way – I like the fact that they are sharing the wealth to grow the game. 

For me, my trip to Augusta was my golfing “bucket list Number I”. Enjoy…

PS – If there is some good interest, we will show the final round on the big screen here – share a beer and burger and a great championship! Let the Golf staff know if you can be here! 

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The 10th Annual St Francis Links
Club Championships
22 – 24 April 2016

As we celebrate 10 years as St Francis Links, the 10th Annual Club Championships represent your first major event of the year! Let’s make this one to remember!

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Enter now and join your fellow members for a special few days of golf, great food, friendship and fun as this important tournament will decide our Champion of Champions and Divisional Champions on your Championship Course!

Format of Play & Divisions
Both the Men’s and Ladies Champs will have two divisions in which to participate:

The “Open” Division:
Members in good standing may enter the Open division, regardless of handicap. Nominated
members must be handicapped at St Francis Links in order to enter. The winner will be decided
over 36 holes (18 per day), playing an Individual Medal format, off scratch. Men in this division will
play from the “MODIFIED” Gold Championship tees and ladies from the Red Ladies tees.
There will be prizes for the gross winner (the ultimate Club Champ) and for the net winner.
Ties will be broken by playing to a sudden-death-victory over hole 18,
then 18 again and again and again!

The “B” Division:
Current, full handicaps will apply to participants in these divisions. The format
will be Individual Stableford. Men will play from the Club tees (blue) and
ladies from the Ladies tees (Red). Ties will be broken by a count-out.

Entries and Further Information:

Enter by completing the ATTACHED ENTRY FORM and returning it to
St Francis Links by e-mail (golf@stfrancislinks.com).
All entries to reach us by no later than 19 April 2016.
For further information, contact the pro shop on tel 042 – 200 4500.

R325.00 PER PARTICIPANT to include

Entry into Event & Prizes (if you play well!)
Friday evening welcome snacks
Welcome Gift
Sunday’s Prize Giving Lunch

(Non-participating spouses for Friday evening welcome
Snacks and Sunday lunch: R135)


Our 1st Jack Nicklaus Qualifier – Who is going to Serengeti? 

This year we will be giving you all SIX qualifyings for the 2016 Jack Nicklaus Champion of Champions to be held at the end of the year in Johannesburg. All expenses will be paid for the FOUR qualifiers who will represent St Francis Links – the reigning champions! Our format has changed slightly to ensure better participation and the best of the best players from the Links. In addition to the qualifiers centered around the four Major Tour events, we will add TWO more qualifiers to coincide with the Olympics and the Tour Championships. So here are the dates for the Qualifiers –

Saturday, April 9 (The Masters)
Saturday, June 18 (US OPEN) 

Sunday, July 17 (the OPEN Championship)
Saturday, July 30 (The PGA Championship)
Saturday, August 6 (the Olympics)
Saturday, September 24 (The TOUR Championships) 

ORDER OF MERIT- BEST THREE SCORES FROM SIX (PLAY A MINIMUM OF THREE EVENTS)
The Top FOUR point-getters from their best THREE qualifiers will represent St Francis Links at Serengeti! 

Entry Fee: R75 per event 

 

 


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 with a braai thrown in – all for the price of one game! 

Makro

 


 

 

 UPCOMING EVENTS

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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 9: The 1st Qualifier for the 7th Annual Jack Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Order of Merit)
April 13: ITEC OPEN Wednesday
April 22-24: Club Championships

 


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

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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

Majors 

US Masters – Augusta National, Georgia – April 7-10
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 santa

Regards,
The St Francis Links Team

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