Pete Dye’s (NEW) Austin CC will host the WGC Matchplay
My Daurghter, Lindsay and her man, Blair, will be among the thousands of rabid Austin golfing fans who will attend the tournament this week. With the help of my friends, Peter Berman, who is there for some coaching support for Branden Grace, and of course, Gracie. maybe they will have an inside track to the tournament VIP sections. I don’t pick on my Pro friends often, but they are in Austin. I even offered dinner out for some great Tex-Mex or Texas Barbecue in reply. Lindsay and Blair will be sporting their St Francis Links caps to get the attention of Gracie, Louis and Charl as they support the boys from my adopted golfing nation.
Austin CC relocated to their current location some 30 years ago when I was a young Head PGA Professional at The Hills of Lakeway, not far away. The Teaching Professional/Pro Emeritus/Host/Starter was none other than Mr Harvey Penick! The aging former caddy, come legendary teacher was at the first tee when we arrived for our first go at greatness the the much-talked-about Austin CC. He saw us walking to the Pro tees and asked if we really wanted to do that! As it was our Monday off, he thought we may not want to spoil our only day off playing from the tips – so we followed his advise and got all the golf we needed on Mr. Dye’s design from the Club Tees. I cherished the short, but amazing times I had with Mr. Penick. His son Tinsley, was the first Club Professional at the Club. Tome Kite and Ben Crenshaw were two of his best students, both moving on from University achievements to great Professional careers, both winning majors. Mr. Penick’s Little Red Book was not only the best-selling golf book, it was the best-selling sports book of all time.
Mr Penick helped everyone from the best players to improving golfers of all ages!
Branden, Louis and Charl will all be teeing it up this week with the hope of playing in the finals on Sunday. Maybe Louis nad Gracie’s President’s Cup performances will give them the confidence they need for this year’s Matchplay title!
Nothing pretties up the place the a wedding (and the guests)
At 11pm, the song Footloose was played be the DJ and the groom saw our team dancing “our line-dance” from NYE in the bar. It was said that he then called them to the dance floor where the entire wedding party shared the stage for the popular hit. It was simply part of a great day and night for our South African (now American) bride and her USA bow! The room looked great; the food was great – her father, a Chef in his own right, was a happy-camper! I like that!
The set-up and the action!
Aces and more ACES!
Last week, tow of our members found the bottom of the cup and neither of the great shots were on the notable 17th! Richard Foulds took all of the short hole money on Wednesday as he nailed the perfect shot on the par-3, 4th hole, Double Vision! Then on Friday, Svein Erik Stiansen, used a little magic and a great bounce as he made a Hole-in-ONE on the par-3, 14th hole. I’ll let Ingveld tell you the whole story! Both will get their names on the big board.
Svein-Erik won’t forget his perfect shot at the 14th hole!
Easter weekend bookings and events are filling up!
Bring your kids and grandkids to meet the Easter bunny! Then save their special eggs until after Easter Lunch here at the Club. The Egg Hunt starts at 10am and Lunch is served from 11h30!
UPCOMING EVENTS
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
March 27: Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Sunday Lunch (separate events)
April 1: April Fool’s Day Get-together at the Pool – Golf, games and dinner
April 9: The 1st Qualifier for the 7th Annual Jack Nicklau Champion of Champions (Order of Merit)
April 13: ITEC OPEN Wednesday
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
Proud Sponsors of the Ladies OPEN Weekend and the ANNUAL
July 17: 3rd Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
August 6: Ladies’ Invitational
August 6: 4th Qualifier for the Nicklaus Champion of Champions
August 8-23: Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed
August 21: Sanlam Cancer Challenge FINALS
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
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 
The St Francis Links Team