Special attention given to the course and clubhouse
During our course closure Charl Blaauw and his team did a lot of work on the course and I am happy to say that it was very successful. The greens have recovered very fast from the hollowtining and they will get quicker with every day that passes. We have played a couple rounds now and the greens are still very true and if you hit the ball with enough pace they can’t miss. The tee boxes were also hollowtined, fairways were sliced, bunkers were repaired, divots were filled with seed, bushes were cleared and many broken irrigation pipes were fixed. 
The much needed rain came at the perfect time and we were able to fertilize the whole course just before the big rain in September. The course is going to be fantastic with the Sunshine Tour coming here at the end of the month. During the whole Spring treatment, Charl made great videos and we encourage you to have a look at them to see what happened whilst we were closed. Click below links to see each video, it is worth it!
https://youtu.be/C8FSmcnbpss
https://youtu.be/KhRuymfhSPE
https://youtu.be/TO88gJHaW5U
The clubhouse also received attention. The front entrance to the clubhouse has been neatened up, Jack’s Bar received a whole makeover and the Lighthouse Restaurant is currently receiving a facelift. We trust that you all enjoy the new look and feel of the renovated clubhouse.
The Links Cup 6 – 7 October 2018
This years Links Cup matches will be played on 6 and 7 September 2018. The last couple of years The Links Cup has turned into a one day event due to multiple reasons. Due to the Sunshine Tour being here during The Ryder Cup and our Inter Estate players competing at the final qualifying event at Goose Valley on the Sunday we have moved the date a week later. We would like to bring it back to its former glory and play the matches over two days. On Saturday the we start off with betterball matchplay on the front 9, and close off the back 9 with foursomes matchplay. Sunday morning we will return for 18 holes of indivdual matchplay.
South Africa or International… it doesn’t matter. Everyone receives a medal. Thank you Colin Higgins for you continued support by sponsoring the medals, they are WORLD CLASS!
Barry Phillips reaches 100, twice in one day
On 18 August 2018 Barry did a double 100. No he did not shoot 100 on the front 9 and follow it up with another 100 on the back nine! As many of you know Barry does Parkrun before he plays golf on a Saturday morning. Saturday the 18th was a very special day. He did his 100th Parkrun and played his 100th round at St Francis Links. Congrats Barry, 200 is just around the corner.
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