sponsored in part by our member, Colin Higgins, who has provided the medals forever, was played once again with great spirit, good competitive matches and lots of stories and laughs. It all started with the newly appointed Captains, Hein Spangenberg, leading Germany and The World Team and Tim Elliott for South Africa, introducing their respective teams. They pulled out all of the stops by uniting their players with legends of the game. I was sitting in the airport in Ljabljana, Slovenia when Liezl forward a picture the the bar decorated with the world’s flags filled with participants, Then I received a video from Charl when Hein was introducing Sir Nick Faldo aka Charles Laird, who stood up as proudly as if he was the legend himself. Then another video came with Tim extolling the golfing virtues provided by Ernie Els aka Dr Danie Cronje! The members loved it and I did too!. The videos kept coming along with the spirit of the night. I was a great vibe.
Then came the tradition of singing the anthems, One by one they came up, from the Greek anthem to the Scottish anthem to the German anthem that Hein and his dad hummed beautifully, claiming they struggled with the words in English; the Coesens and the Defossaz’ teamed up for Belgium and then the South Africans filled the room in song.
From my chair in Slovenia, I could see we were off to the best start. The golf that followed on Saturday and Sunday was played with the same energy. The World team jumped out to a fast start leading comfortably after the foursomes play and holding a 3 point lead after the fourball matches in the afternoon. 12 1/2 to 9 1/2 with 22 singles matched to played on Sunday.
The Captains regrouped and put forward some matches as interesting as they were in Paris. South Africa came out flying and the lead was flipped with half the field to come in. Then they see-sawed back and forth until the end. with everything hinging on the last groups out. The roar came after I called Hein to speak first; then the winning Captain, Tim. It was a two-point victory for SA! Cheers all around.
Four members were undefeated on the weekend including Avril Laird who played in her first (and last) Links Cup…she said the pressure to too much after winning all three!
Unlike Paul Azinger who only captained one US team to victory, you may both be asked back!
Hat’s off to Eugenie, Chef, Charl and Thinus and you respective teams for orchestrating a great weekend for the members!
Alison met me on arrival Sunday morning and made me feel special and proud when she said,
“We missed you while you were away (thanks)…but we didn’t need you this weekend as your team was fantastic (proud)!
Links Cup 20 – 21 October
The response for this years event has been very positive. We currently have 38 players and would like more Members to join us for this special event. Call us to book your spot, it is going to be loads of fun. South Africa, Rest of the World… it doesn’t matter. “We are not here for a long time, we are here for a good time”
Links Majors, Special Events and Results for 2018
Jan 2-3 The Pam Golding Annual (St Francis Bay wins – the overall is tied 6 games each)
Jan 5-6 Men’s Member/Member Partnership, Chris and Jandré Lessing, Champions
Jan 20 Windhoek Lager International Pairs (3rd Qualifying), Percy Owen and Norman Dyer
Jan 27-28 EP Champs (course closed) Altin VD Merwe, Strokeplay Medalist (74-68=142)
Feb 3-4 EP Champs (semi-finals and finals) Naldo Claassens, Champion; Hugo Maritz, Plate Winner
Feb 14 Couples/Mixed Golf – Valentine’s Dinner Ronnie and Sally Nienaber, best members
Mar 10 Greensomes over 18 holes Pete Maskew and John Wilson, Champions on 39pts
Apr 22-26 National Senior Inter-Provincials Central Gauteng, Senior Champions; Southern Cape, Super-Senior Champions
May 5-6 Club Championships, Lynn Slogrove and Brent Vos, Champions
May 13-16 Senior Women’s Nationals (SFL and SFBGC) , Free State wins the team title, Maggie Minnie (Boland), gross champion.
May 18-20 St Francis Bridge Invitational Everyone was a winner!
May 20 Nomads Monthly Game (11am Shotgun) 66 in the field
May 24-25 Woodland’s Golf Days 96 players on Thursday and 112 on Friday! HOSPICE wins
May 26 Foursomes over 18 holes Johann Spangenberg and Tom Grimsley; Lynn Slogrove and Margot McGregor
June 2 Ladies’ Invitational, Sandra Marais and Sonette Korff, Champions
June 16 Quarterly Couples/Mixed – US Open – re-scheduled
June 17 Father’s Day Golf and Lunch
June 21 EP Seniors
June 25-26 Nomads Coastal NOoM, Barend Botha over Aiden Senger, playoff 143 gross
July 7 The Inaugural Muirfield Day (foursomes and four balls) everyone was a winner!
July 20-22 Men’s Invitational, Hein Spangenberg and Eddie Nel, 98 points
Aug 20 to
Sept 4 Spring Programme (Club Closed)
Sep 23-29 Vodacom Origins of Golf (regional Finals) Alex Haindl – 12 Under Par
Oct 20-21 Links Cup
Nov 10-11 Pam Golding Ladies’ Open Weekend
Dec 1 Ladies’ Member- Member Partnership
Dec 8 Par-3 Championships
Dec 14-15 Pam Golding Annual (SFBGC host)
Dec 17 Kromme Trust Amazing Race
Dec 20 Food and Wine Festival
Dec 22 Year-end Couples/Mixed – Pro Shop Sale
Jan 3-4 Men’s Member-Member Partnership
More to Come!
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, 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 with a SMILE!
Santa and the Links TEAM