Big Starts for the South Africans and the Americans pave the way!
The Links CUP – captained by Norman Pretorius (SA) and Sandy Cunningham (Int).
We sang more national anthems than ever before because 22 internationals participated in the 2016 version of the Links Cup with 22 South Africans. Sven Stiansen was the most on key and on song with the Norwegian anthem; Brian Brown had the most volume as he rose above the English participants with God, save our Queen and once, again, Helen Bridges really had little support as she braved the Greek anthem on her own!
Check out Basil Barry giving it “the Usain Bolt” while everyone else was in reverse – maybe that’s why he won? Is that you, Mel, hiding in the bushes?
Then we played golf – fourball matches, foursomes and singles in real Scottish and Irish weather. Pairings for the foursomes and fourballs were kept the same for the sake of time; the singles featured new pairings with golfers playing matches reflecting their similar handicaps. In the end, the South Africans prevailed after a very strong showing in the fourball matches. Their 9-2 start was followed by 5 1/2 – 5 1/2 in the foursomes and an 8 1/2 – 12 1/2 loss in the singles. 23 – 20 was the final score enabling Norman to place the gold medals over his player’s heads! It was the “improving golfers” who made the difference as Basil Berry, playing in his first Links Cup, and Roger Smith were undefeated for the SA side.
We want to extend a special thank you to all who played in the Links Cup this year!
The Course was set up for scoring and scoring we got!
The 2016 Ryder Cup was played on a course that Justin Rose compared to a “Pro-Am” setup with friendly pin placements that were much more accessible than he thought they should’ve been for the event. I saw it a little differently – it was set up for scoring and scoring we got. The perfect surfaces were receptive and provided us, the fans, with some fantastic golf. The pairings for Sunday saw Darren Clarke’s draw loaded with power from the top where Davis Love III kept some fire power down the order. Before the singles began, I made the prediction that the European would take some from the top but the middle order would prove to be the difference. Sadly for Lee Westwood, his loss was the first of four from the middle. Phil Mickelson came up with 10 birdies including a 25 footer on the last to only claim a half with Sergio Garcia who had a bogey-free round with 9 birdies of his own. That match was only outdone by a dual of the best – Rory and Patrick Reed – the best golfers for each team, best leaders and best fist-pumpers – they actually tied in my opinion, for the Ian Poulter Award – the guy who can lead with his play and his enthusiasm. On a stretch of four holes on the front nine Reed threw an eagle and four birdies at Rory while Rory was making 4 birdies on his own. The final score did not reflect how close it really was with a number of matches going the distance.
These two fired birdies and fired up the crowd.
Finally, for the good of the game, they won! Rickie needs a friend!
Poulter was missed, the quality of golf was amazing, the Americans and the Ryder Cup needed the result that came and the fans were treated to 3 days of entertainment.
It embarrassed me as a fan when bad shots were cheered and bad comments were made. I am afraid the event has become a football match with the partisanship what it is. The game is bigger than the few who shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Long live the Ryder Cup and the spirit in which it is played!
Caryl’s Corner
FREE AS A BIRD
On August 4th Tony and Sara Scheepers came across a Jackal Buzzard on the road near the 4th fairway. It was not looking at all well so they reported it immediately to The Links and we hurried to it. In no time it was carefully put in a box and taken to the SANCOB Centre at Cape St Francis. There Chanelle gave it a thorough examination and could find nothing wrong – no broken wing and legs fine – so it was presumed it had been poisoned and needed to be washed out with charcoal.
After assistance from various people it was sent to Paul Jooste in Oyster Bay who has had a great deal of experience with rehabilitating birds of prey.
Almost 2 months later our Jackal Buzzard was ready to be released. Paul brought it back on October 1st to the exact spot where the Scheepers had found it and a most appreciative group gathered to experience the very moving event.
Our Jackal Buzzard was more than ready to take to the skies. Our thanks to all who helped nurse our bird, particularly Paul.
Keep Reading!!!
GOLF SHOP ANNUAL “Blow out” SALE!
Friendly Faces – introducing our Team
In weeks to come, we will be introducing the new faces here at St Francis Links. First up is a member of the Golf Operations team…
Jo-Hein Groenewald, Golf Cart attendant – Driving Range
Jo-Hein has been with us since September 2013. His friendly smile will be very familiar on the driving range and assisting members and guests with any of their golfing needs.
Siyasange Gumenga – Waitress
Siya has been with us for the last five years. She has two boys one in Grade 2 (7 years) and one who is four years old. Her husband’s name Vusumzi and is a local taxi driver . In her free time she travels to Johannesburg and she sells clothing for an extra income.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Proudly Sponsored – ITEC SOLUTIONS will be 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, Curry Night follows – stay or take away!
(every Tuesday) – 10am Coffee Break for our lady members
October 12: Open Wednesday – playing for the MEAT – invite your friends at special rates
October 20: PSG Corporate Golf Day – 120 Pax
October 30-November 6: Sunshine Tour returns with the Vodacom Origin’s of Golf FINALS
ST FRANCIS LINKS “MAJORS” AND “SPECIAL EVENTS” FOR 2016
Note the Date Changes for 2016:
April 9: 1st Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
April 23-24: Club Championships, Sean Botha and Janine VD Merwe, repeat Champions
May 29: Interestate Challenge at Mossel Bay (4th from 7)
June 4: Ladies 10th Annual Invitational – Helen Bridges and Jean Fynn, Champions
June 18: 2nd Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
July 9: Sanlam Cancer Challenge – SFL Qualifier
June 26: Inter- Estate Challenge at Oubaai
July 15-17: Men’s Invitational – Leslie Krause and Hermanus Potgieter, Champions
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
July 31: Inter-Estate Challenge at St Francis Links
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
August 21: Inter-Estate Challenge Simola
September 24: Final Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
September 30, October 1-2: Links Cup
October 2: Inter-Estate Challenge at Pezula – St Francis Links were the winners!
October 30: Inter-Estate Challenge at Goose Valley NEW DATE
October 30-November 6: Vodacom Origins of Golf FINALS (Sunshine Tour – course Closed)
November 19-20: Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend
November 25-27: Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Serengeti)
November 27: Inter-Estate Challenge FINALS at Pinnacle Point
December 9-11 – 10th Year Anniversary Activities (watch this space)
2016 International Events
US Masters – Augusta National, Georgia – April 7-10 – Danny Willett, Champion
US Open – Oakmont CC, Oakmont, Pennsylvania – June 16-19 – Dustin Johnson, Champion
Open Championship – Royal Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland – July 14-17 – Henrik Stenson, Champion
US PGA – Baltusrol (Lower Course), Springfield, New Jersey – July 28-31 – Jimmy Walker, Champion
The Ryder Cup – Hazeltine, Minnesota – September 30 to October 2 – USA USA USA
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 
The St Francis Links Team