Brace yourselves for Pebble Beach!
A Pebble Beach U.S. Open is a highlight-maker.
That Nicklaus 1-iron. Watson’s clutch chip-in. Kite’s mastery in gale-force winds. Tiger’s utter dominance. McDowell’s Major breakthrough. What will be next?
The tradition continues this year when Pebble Beach hosts its sixth U.S. Open on June 10-16, 2019!
When I die, you can throw my ashes behind that green, Number 7 at Pebble Beach, where I made TWO on my last visit. Bucket List!
I watched Jack win in ’72 with his amazing 1-iron on the 17th; Tom Watson in ’82 with the perfect pitch from behind the green on 17; in ’92, the most consistent golfer in the game, Tom Kite, overcame very difficult conditions to win; Tiger’s awesome performance in the 100th US Open played in 2000 left runner-up Ernie Els 15 shots behind. Woods opened with 65 and closed with 67 en route to a record -12. The rest of the field was over par. In 2010, G-Mac, Graeme McDowell made history as the first European winner in years; Ernie finished two shots back.
It’s one of those courses that you must see to believe. It is open to the public and the public goes through there like cattle to the dairy. When you drive the coastal highway from San Fran to LA, do the 17-mile drive and visit the courses. Then pop into Clint Eastwood’s Bar, Hogsbreath in Carmel.
4 Saffers make it through qualifying (News24)
Cape Town – Dean Burmester booked his place at Pebble Beach after winning US Open Sectional Qualifying – by a full four strokes – at Walton Heath Golf Club.
The South African, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Sunday, opened with a round of 63, nine-under par, which he followed with a round of 65.
On the back nine of his second round, Burmester carded six birdies, including five in a row from the 12th to the 16th holes, to secure his second appearance at the US Open.
“I guess it’s just one of those days when you roll out of bed and the putts go in the hole. The nine under was solid, I had a few bad shots but managed to get up and down and roll in the putts,” said Burmester.
“I had a nervy start in the afternoon, one over through the first five, but then the momentum kicked in after rolling in a few and it was like how things were in the morning.”
This year’s US Open start will be Burmester’s second in his career after finishing T56 at Shinnecock Hills last year.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Justin Walters and Merrick Bremner also qualified at Walton Heath GC and booked their spots in the June 13-16 tournament.
Erik van Rooyen finished T7 and earned his spot at this year’s third major at the sectional qualifying in Columbus, Ohio.
Will foursome will join three of their compatriots – Branden Grace, Justin Harding and Louis Oosthuizen – who had all already qualified thanks to the world golf rankings.
I love it when a plan comes together
Charity done the right way!
20 years ago I teamed up with Peter Klews and Knysna Rotary to start a fundraiser for the local ROTARY CLUB. The event has simply grown and grown and grown in every way over the years. Peter has been involved in them all. This year, he invited Liezl and me to be there for the celebration. Scheduling didn’t permit, but I am honoured just the same. After enjoying 7 years with him while I was at Pezula, I came here and tried it again with our local Club and the Bay course. We called it The Bash in the Bay and it had moderate success, but nothing like the event in the Garden Route. Well done to all…maybe it’s time to try it again!
Incoming Knysna Rotary Prez, Julie Staub and my friend Peter Klews
from Peter Klews
The basis of the success is the fact that Nico du Plessis, who brought 12 golfers from the Overberg region in 2001, spread the word, also through SAGES. The 12 he brought spread the word amongst friends in that region. I remember well that we battled 2001/2/3 to get a full field at Pezula from locals. Every year more visitors came. Except on Saturday at KnysnaGC the other fields are 90% visitors who on average play 3 rounds during their visit.
Rotary Knysna Charity Golf Event Time Line
1980s President & Mayor Lucky Dimopolous started Knysna GC Saturday afternoon casual competition to raise funds
Mid 90s Des Wearne made it a proper competition at Knysna GC with sponsors and prizes
2000 Sparrebosch (later Pezula) was added through the initiative of Jeff Clause (Director of Golf and son of a Rotarian in Jefferson, Iowa, D 6000) who approached Des Wearne and offered Rotary the golf course and carts free of charge on any Sunday in offseason
2000 – Peter Klews became chairman & wrote to all 65 Rotary Clubs in our district – one responded, see 2001
2001 – Nico du Plessis President RC Bredasdorp brought 12 players
2007 – Sesel Hartshorne became Chairman as Peter Klews was elected club president 2008/09 – Simola added on Sunday and alternated with Pezula
2008 – Friday added @ Simola, Saturday Knysna GC and Sunday Pezula and became known as an ‘event’ as opposed to a ‘golf day’
2009 – Friday became 2 fields, choice of Simola or Pezula, Saturday became full day event at KGC and Sunday became 2 fields choice of Simola or Pezula
2010 – Variety of accommodation added, wives/partners invited
2013 – Pinnacle Point introduced on Thursday
2014 – Goose Valley introduced on Saturday to ease pressure on Knysna GC
2019 – The event netted just over R 2 Million since inception in 2000!
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COURSE CLOSURE DATES
The course will be closed on the following dates due to large tournaments:
26 June
Only morning field available due to
Junior National Order of Merit Practice Day
27 & 28 June
Junior National Order of Merit Tournament
2, 3, 4 July
SA Boys u/17 Championships
Our golf pro’s will arrange away games. Please touch base with them
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Coming soon – put these in the MUST DO column
The St Francis Links HOTEL by Mantis – SHOW UNIT starting NOW!
The proposed St Francis Links Hotel by Mantis is being sold as a sectional title scheme.
The Hotel will consist of 60 1 and 2-bedroom suites, modelled after the successful hotel development at Pearl Valley, where the 2nd phase was launched recently. The Clubhouse will be home to reception manned 24/7, the Food and Beverage services, AquaSpa and of course, the home of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course! Pam Golding Properties are handling the sales for the Hotel. Neil Fox is the lead person. Neil Fox neil.fox@pamgolding.co.za Saria Blaauw is assisting and they are dividing their time at The Links
Our events
Ernie and Linda Müller and their Team from Selective Lighting are making Fridays extra special at St Francis Links. Once a month, they host the Selective Lighting/The Fireworks Friday Competition. We shotgun start the players for 9 holes. Starting times are based on the season, 14h30 in the “Cool Season” and 15h30 in the summer months. Be a part of growing the Club and join us for nine and some good times after golf! Please enter in advance for numbers.
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, sometimes 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 (and ends) with a SMILE!
Santa and the Links TEAM