Neil Schietekat is coming off victory at Arabella
Fresh off his victory at Arabella, Neil sent me a message to say he was returning to St Francis Links to play in the R800 000 Vodacom Origins of Golf Championship next week. He found his form early this year when he captured the Sun City Challenge in June. Joining him at the Links will be a number of tour winners, including Jaco Ahlers, Jacques Blaauw, Peter Karmis, last year’s Champion, Doug McGuigen and locals Lyle Rowe, Titch Moore, Luke Jerling and Wallie Coetsee. The course will be handed over to the Sunshine Tour on Sunday, 23 September and opened again on Saturday, the 29th. Please take time out and join us for the main event Thursday through Saturday as the Professionals tests their skill against our great links.
Neil Schietekat, winner of last week’s Vodacom Origins of Golf at Arabella; Doug McGuigan, last year’s champion here.
Keith Simpson achieves what no other South African has!
The R&A (rightly so) doesn’t broadcast their own news to the world as they are a private Club where members are invited to be members. But, when a member from South Africa wins the coveted VASE for a second time in three years, I think it deserves some special attention! I googled for information, but none could be found. Let’s just say, Keith Simpson is the only South African amateur to have his name engraved on a Club Championship VASE (matchplay), twice!
I know of no person more respectful of the great game of golf – good things come to those who practice and believe!
A worthy winner – selected by his peers!
Kenneth Dube is named PGA Professional of the Year
2018 Professionalk of the Year, Kenneth Dube with incoming Chairman, Louis Destroo
Having received this award myself, I can assure you there is no greater honour than being recognized by your peers. As a past winner and Master Professional, I was asked to ranks the finalists and I placed Kenneth at the top of the list.
from ESPN on Line…
Kenneth Dube was named the 2018 PGA of South Africa Professional of the Year on Monday, making him the first Black South African to achieve this honour. Dube, the Golf Director at the Royal Oak Golf Club and also the winner of the PGA Club Professional Award for 2018, was one of five award winners at the association’s annual awards at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. “Kenneth has been a member of the PGA for 18 years and has been involved in a number of facets of the PGA of South Africa, making an invaluable contribution to the game,” Ivano Ficalbi, Chief Executive of the PGA of South Africa, told the press. “He was a member of the PGA’s Board of Directors from 2003-2004 and has served for many years on the Gauteng Central PGA Committee. Kenneth is a very active member of the association, playing in every national and regional pro-am that he is able to and has been the winner of the national Order of Merit on a few occasions. “He is also a past PGA National Champion and in addition to his Golf Director responsibilities at Royal Oak he opened the Kenneth Dube Golf Academy which has grown to 70 students.
San Lameer Country Club’s Meyer du Toit was named as the winner of the PGA Management Award, while John Dickson won the Coach of the Year award. Michael Balderstone was named as the Entrepreneur of the Year for his work at the Golf School of Excellence, and Peter Berman was recognised for his work in growing the game with the Grow Golf award.
Ladies are doing well in the league
After the third leg of four, our Links ladies are in 3rd place! Helen Bridges sent the update and acknowledged the fine support From Alison Bosch, Denise Perry, Sandra Marais, Gillian Hammond, Helen and Madelaine Barry. The final match is being played at Wedgewood. Go, Ladies!
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 6-7 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