Jovan Rebula wins the British Amateur and his peers were playing great golf here!
In 1966, Bobby Cole raised the trophy as the champion of the British Amateur Championship. It took 52 years to see another South African do the same.
Jovan wins the Matchplay and Wilco wins the strokeplay!
(from the web)
British Amateur Championship, golf tournament held annually in Great Britain for male amateurs with handicaps of 2 or less. A field of 256 players selected by qualifying play is reduced to players who, after 1957, competed for most holes won in a 36-hole final match play round.
In 1885, an Open Amateur Tournament (called open to signify that all countries might enter) was held by the Royal Liverpool Club at Hoylake, but the first official British Amateur Championship was held in 1886. Originally played at St. Andrews, and later at the Hoylake and Prestwick courses, the championship was later played at various other sites
Ernie Els is returning to the Masters – but he will be at Augusta in the role of mentor and chief cheerleader for his nephew. Jovan Rebula on Saturday qualified for the major which has always eluded his uncle by winning the Amateur Championship.And the perks do not end there. His 3&2 victory over Ireland’s Robin Dawson in the 36-hole match at Royal Aberdeen saw Rebula, 21, land a place in next month’s Open Championship as well as the US Open at Pebble Beach next June.
Earlier in the week, former Order of Merit champion here at St Francis Links, Wilco Nienaber, fired off rounds of 66 and 67 to win the British Amateur Strokeplay. Our juniors are performing well all over the world. In today’s National Junior Order of Merit, sponsored by Nomads, only the boys who were in Great Britain are missing. Fancourt Junior Ben Van Wyk led Barend Botha from neighboring Oubaai, by one shot 70 to 71 on a strong course set-up. Our “own” Malan Potgieter from Kirkwood fired a 73 to be tied 5th with Golf RSA National Team member, Martin Vorster who shot 61 in Japan last week. That squad finished 5th overall with teammate Aiden Senger closing out with 70 on the final day. Aiden entered the final round here in solo 4th position at 72.
In the final round, tees at 6 and 13 were moved up from the pro tees to the 2nd tees to allow for some aggressive play. 17 and 18 sorted the players from the hopefuls as both will play from the back tees. through the turn, more than a dozen players were under par and yet, another dozen had posted hole scores of 8 or more – this is golf at The Links. The weather was perfect and more birdies came from great play. When the dust settled, two players finished under par; two more were level and 5 more came in one-over par! That was some great golf!
The Order of Merit ended in a playoff with Barend Botha (in white) and Aiden Senger (stripes). Follow the pics from top-left – from the coin toss to the hole-out and prizegiving. The tournament closed with the customary Santa Burger served to the Champion Golfer.
Note: they swing hard, the hit the ball far and they take divots. We, as the starters impressed upon them all to put them back and look after the golf course. I think they did a pretty good job. These young golfers are respectful and shared their praise with me after. Last year’s Champ made us proud; young Barend just may follow suit.
Upcoming Social Events
NIK returns to The Links – last time he was here, I cried from laughing! Join us for One-Night ONLY on Monday 9 July.
Nik Rabinowitz is non-stop comedy!
This will be like welcoming an old (young) friend back after he completes his his Grahamstown National Festival programme. On the night, we are offering special winter warmers with R70 pizzas and burgers, as well as House Wines specials, too!
New show called “Dry White”
Our next food and wine paired evening is coming soon.
Book now for a very special evening featuring the wines from
IONA wines were featured and enjoyed at last year’s Food and Wine Festival and they were very popular!
Iona food & wine pairing 6th July 2018
On arrival
Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Paired with
Beef Tartar, crispy goats cheese, grapefruit and Jasmine
I
Iona Chardonnay 2017
Paired with
Prawn bisque risotto, papino and lemon, prawn biscuit, and toasted sesame
II
Iona One-Man Band 2011
Paired with
Honey roast duck, pearl barley and confit duck cassoulet
Thyme and Sherry Jus
III
Iona Mr. P Pinot Noir
Paired with
Taleggio souffle, toasted hazelnuts, wild mushrooms and crispy onions
IV
Iona Corretto Grappa
Paired with
Nartjie and white chocolate mousse, passionfruit, toasted almond shortbread
The Year Ahead – Your planner for 2018
Please take note of the dates and post them where you will see them and ENTER!
Links Majors and Special Events 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 fourballs)
July 20 Oakley X-Over
July 20-22 Men’s Invitational
July 22-25 PGA Road Trip – Pards Cup
Aug 20 to
Sept 4 Spring Programme (Club Closed) FINAL DATES – PLEASE TAKE NOTE
Sep 23-29 Vodacom Origins of Golf (regional Finals) NEW
Sep 28-29 formerly Links Cup / Ryder Cup (Paris) (new date TBA)
Oct 6 Quarterly Couples/Mixed Golf
Nov Pam Golding Ladies’ Open Weekend (date – TBD)
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
June Birthdays
3 Keagan Bartlett, Steven Emary
5 Justin Collen
6 Martin King
7 Ann Durant, Guy Eastoe
8 Helen Bridges
12 Jack Emary
13 John Donnelly, Steven Harrison
17 Colin Campbell
24 Clive Stacey
26 Bob Carmichael (still our friend)
if your name is missing here, please contact hoa@stfrancislinks.com to update.
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
June 25-26 Nomads Coastal NOoM (top Juniors)
Every Great shot starts with a SMILE!
Santa and the Links TEAM