…is right here at St Francis Links!
We have just come off our best financial year ever largely due to increased member play, increased international play, increased events, weddings and functions, continued overall cost controls and a strong finish that included our 2nd Sunshine Tour event in the same financial year. In the past four years, our rounds are up by more than 4000 (24%) and the follow-on has been great!
Our team of 85 on the Estate and in the Club, many of who have now been here for years, express the philosophy of the Club, to treat our members as Royalty and our guests as Members for their stay – with regard our guests, every one is a potential new member, ambassador, returning guest or lifelong friend.
Chef Jon decided he needed his own “Selfie” despite the fact that he was included in Liezl’s!
Member participation and support for Club functions is growing and we are seeking more ways to create some “Gees”, more options and activities will be on offer as we continue to grow our Community! Your suggestions and new ideas are encouraged and always welcomed.
Yesterday, some of of members assisted in the running of another “Amazing Race” and their support was most appreciated. The TEAM was divided into nine groups taking on 10 different tasks. Every department, Estate teams, Course teams, Kitchen and Front of House teams, Golf operations and Admin teams were combined as the varied tasks required technical skills from each department. The tasks varied from properly setting up a golf cart for a days play to saving a child (doll) in the swimming pool to handling a FIRE to sampling some “interesting” food choices! The spirit generated in the Conference room where each team had to complete a Crossword Puzzle before receiving their first clue, carried through the day!
From raking bunkers to receiving their prizes and awards!
Emotions ran HIGH!
Following the Race the TEAM dressed for a lunch out – this year at Quayside – and the day continued with annual awards and prizegiving. We had a heartfelt good-bye to Olivia, who Liezl and I have personally been working with for nearly 20 years. She will be relocating to Humansdorp, where her 9-year old son, Ashley, will attend school. Ronique Plaatjies has returned to Humansdorp with her husband and family from Cape Town where she was employed at Capitec. Her admin skills will enable her to get on with “our detailed communication” quickly.
Farewell to Olivia, welcome Ronique, Congrats to Sharon for 5 years, Mcedici, Nashita, Shaheeda and Bianca for 10 years of great service, Sydney has also been so reliable and proactive for 10 years.
Happy Birthday!
Gillian Hammond captured the three birthday girls today after golf. Happy, all, by nature! Julie Nortjie 10/25 on the left, Coleen Jepson 10/19 seated and Elmarie Maarschalk 10/25 on the right! Happy Birthday!!!
Golf Events and Charity Days
December 18 (Monday) The 2nd Annual Amazing Race sponsored by and benefitting the Kromme River Enviro Trust
8 am shotgun start on our famous Ultimate Par-3 (a Great Course within a Great Course)
December 20 (Wednesday) The Annual NSRI Golf Day
Tee times throughout the day with great prizes and proceeds to our own Station 21 (St Francis Bay)
Couples Golf And Golf Shop (Balloon-Popping) Party
December 22 (Friday) Tee Times all morning for Couple’s and Mixed Couple’s Championship
Special Golf Shop SALE Day – perfect for last minute Christmas presents (Free glass of “bubbles”)
January 2-3 (Tue-Wed) The 12th Pam Golding ANNUAL (last year won by SFBGC by .18 point!)
18 holes at St Francis Links and 18 Holes at St Francis Bay GC
AM tee times with prizes sponsored by Pam Golding and Callaway Golf
January 5-6 (Fri-Sat) The Member-Member Partnership
36 holes played over 2 days – Modified Betterball (9), Betterball (18) and Combined Individual (9)
Holiday Season Golf Morning times reserved for members and their guests; Daily competitions optional. No-shows carry penalties
Food and Beverage functions and Restaurant options
As of mid-December, the Clubhouse will be open daily from 5h30 am until close (function related) and welcoming to all. We will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in casual comfort. At St Francis Links we are child and adult friendly! Join us anytime. During the week of 11 to 17 December, we host 5 weddings so please double check event dates by keeping an eye on local media, liking our facebook page or e-mailing us on info@stfrancislinks.com. We will soon be publishing our complete Festive Season programme, but here are some other highlights:
Our Famous Curry Nights
December 20 and 27; January 3 and 10 3-World Class Curries (different each night) with all the sambals and sides you expect. Great for families and friends, served family-style at the table.
A La Carte and Themed Evenings
December 21 – January 9 Easy A la Carte (our menu favorites) from the kitchen on selected nights (order until 8pm)
December 22 Sticky Fingers (amazing ribs and chicken)
January 6 Chef Jon’s Steak Night – selected aged steaks with great accompaniment on the side
January 13 Asian Night – Take a trip to the East with us!
Christmas Eve (closed)
Christmas Lunch for the entire family (with live music)
December 25 Bookings are essential as Chef Jon lays on the perfect holiday luncheon
Santa has promised to make a special appearance with special attention paid to all of the children on the day
Seating from 11h30 (Prepaid bookings as confirmation essential).
Entertainment
This year we are presenting even more entertainment for you and the entire family with the team from Centrestage returning for three fantastic shows; the first, a tribute to the fabulous 80’s will have you singing and dancing the entire night through!
New Year’s Eve just gets better every year with food and drink served all night long with music that will keep you on your feet. The Centrestage Band is second to none! The entire evening is under roof with spacious seating and easy service. Seats are, however, limited to ensure a great time for all! (Note that the club and course will be closed on 1 January 2018)
Laugh Lines
Close out the holiday with the amazingly talented Gino Fabri as he returns to St Francis Links by popular demand. A light dinner will be served from convenient stations throughout. Come early and stay late! Our annual comedy evening is always sold out, so book soon!
Face of the Week
More to remember!
This was our best year to date in almost every way:
- We finished our 119th home on the estate (55% permanently occupied)
- 20 homes have been completed this year.
- 10 homes are under construction
- 20 homes are in the planning or application stages
- We are financially sound with great lifestyle choices for the entire family
- We just played our most rounds in a single year!
- Our golf rounds featured golfers from more than 20 different countries – from Wisconsin to New South Wales
- Over R1M raised for charity this year
- We moved up in the nation ratings to No. 7 in Golf Digest
- The UK rates us No. 6
- The Swedish press rate us No.4
- With our members, No. 1
Don’t stop yet! New Events are listed below!
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”
Oct 27 Wine Pairing sponsored by Village Square Super Spar and St Francis Links (NSRI charity)
Nov 4 Spring Wellness EXPO
Nov 11-12 Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend 
ST FRANCIS LINKS “MAJORS-SPECIAL EVENTS” & RESULTS FOR 2017
Jan 2-3 Men’s Member-Member, St Francis Bay wins by .18 of a point! Well done!
Jan 7-8 The Pam Golding Annual, Derek Ryan and Scott Keevy, Champions
Mar 11 Greensomes over 18 holes (NEW) Sandra Marais/Ingvild Stiansen; Mauro Nettl/Yan Coesens
Apr 28-30 Club Championships – Ralph Richardson and Helen Bridges, Champions
May 7 Inter-Estate Challange (St Francis Links)
May 18-19 Woodlands’ Dairy Golf Days for HOSPICE R400 000-00 raised for Hospice
May 20 Stulting School Day R280 000-00 raised on the day
May 27 Foursomes over 18 holes (NEW) Margot McGregor and Dr Lynn Slogrove, Champions
Jun 3 Ladies’ Invitational Dr Lynn Slogrove and Noeline de Ridder, Champions
Jun 10 Sanlam – Links Qualifier
Jul 2-3 National Junior Order of Merit Wilco Nienaber, Champion (ranked No. 3 in SA)
Jul 20-23 Men’s Invitational Derek Ryan and Pieter Jerling, Champions
Jul 23-25 The Annual “Road Trip” Brian Wessels, Individual and Pards Cup Champion
Aug 6 Sanlam Cancer FINALS at St Francis Links, Gillian Hammond finished 2nd Nationally
Aug 8-23 Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed
Sep 29-Oct 1 Links Cup – South Africa (29-19)
October 5 Els for Autism at St Francis Links R232 000 raised on the day
Nov 11-12 Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend (ALMOST FULL)
Dec 2 Ladies’ Member-Member (PLEASE ENTER)
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE 
The St Francis Links Team