…I am eating my words!
Play one of the hardest tests with the best in the game behind you and grind it out. That’s what Tigger did at East Lake in winning his first tournament in five years and third season-ending title. His comeback after his fourth back surgery has been nothing less that miraculous. I have not been much of a Tigger fan because he is not my idea of a role model, chucking clubs, spitting and swearing his way around the course. On Sunday night, you may have seen something very special when he got out of the greenside bunker at 18 and easily 2-putted for the title. The crowd went ballistic and The Tigger was emotional!
Tigger played 18 tour events this year, pain free. He finished runner-up in the PGA Championship and top-5 at The Open Championship. With his win, it added up to a 2nd place in the in the Fed-Ex Cup, 7 top-10’s and a jump to 21st in the world golf rankings from over 600 at the start of the year.
80 tour titles! Tigger is back! 
Justin Rose gave a little wink to the crowd after he holed out on the 18th. The rye smile that followed was worth $10M as he did just enough to claim the Fed-Ex Cup! Tigger edged out Bryson DeChambeau for 2nd place and $3M. Fed-Ex must be moving a few boxes around the world as they supported the Tour to the tune of $35M this year and are going to $60M next year with the Fed-Ex Champ bagging R15 – that’s $13M MORE than Jack Nicklaus earned in his career!
Foul weather may affect play…
The forecast for Friday is a springtime shocker. The Pro-am played on Tuesday and Wednesday will see a perky westerly followed by a little puff. The main event, played Thursday, Friday and Saturday will offer a mix of weather. If necessary, the tournament will finish on Sunday. Let’s hope Mother Nature takes a little “chill pill” before the boys tee it up on Friday. Tuesday UPDATE: if the forecast remains the same, we will play 36 holes on Thursday with 2 shotgun starts at 6h45 and 13h00. That’ll put some extra pressure on the staff, but everyone is ready.
The Ryder Cup!
The Americans have not won on foreign soil since 1993 at The Belfry
The 17th at le Golf National has no bunkers or water…the only hole!
The course will be tighter and the water will be in play as the bravest of the brave will hoist the Ryder Cup on Sunday. Once again, the Americans look strong on paper and the Europeans will feature 4 rookies – can you call Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm rookies! I like Dustin Johnson and Brooks Keopka together and The Tigger with the Mad Physicist. This has the makings to be one for the memory books!
Links members assist with the Festival 1/2 Marathon
Our members handed out water and oranges to the runners. Our employee, Noge, finished in the top-15 on the day!
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) NEW
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