| What a phenomenal high season it has been! |
| During the high season from 12th December to 11th January, our beautiful course buzzed with an energy that was truly infectious, culminating in some truly remarkable achievements.
It was a statement when we could maintain no placing throughout the season – a huge shout out to Charl and his amazing team – maintaining the high standards set during the PGA Championship throughout one of the busiest months St Francis Links has ever seen.
We kicked off the festivities with a bang, hosting the Rotary Golf Day, which saw a blockbuster number of 100 golfers take on our ultimate par 3 course. This event proved to be a fantastic introduction to St Francis Links for many novice golfers, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Rotary team for organising such an amazing and successful day!
The momentum continued with early mornings and late nights becoming the standard, as we implemented two-tee starts to accommodate the incredible demand. Our morning slots ran from 06h50 to 09h10, followed by afternoon tee times from 12h00 to 14h00, and even nine-holers from 17h00 onwards. This strategic scheduling allowed us to achieve a record total of rounds for the club.
For those who appreciate the numbers, prepare to be impressed (and perhaps even a little amused!) by these additional statistics that showcase the vibrant atmosphere and bustling activity around the club: |
| By the numbers – Season 2025-6 |
• Beers & Ciders 3,136
• Breakfasts 511
• Burgers 401
• Cold Beverages 5,451
• Hot Beverages 1,514 |
• Salads & Wraps 516
• Sides 726
• Subs & Toasties 1,981
• Retail Snacks 1,286 |
• Beers & Ciders 6,166
• Hansa 185
• Corona 185
• Draft Beer
• Car Park John Draught 489
• Castle Lite Draught 597 (375 ml) 1,365 (500ml)
• Heineken Draft 168 (375 ml) 704 (500ml) |
• Bubbles 42
• Cocktails 1,412
• Cold Beverages
• Cordials 922
• Hot Beverages 3,293
• Leopard’s Leap – House Wine 618
• Liqueurs 810 |
• Breakfast 1,602
• Burgers 903
• Desserts 151
• Grills 214
• Kiddies Meals 1,539
• Signature Dishes 473
• Light Meals 598 |
• Liquid Desserts 563
• Pizza 1,404
• Retail Snacks 1,286
• Salads 234
• Tapas 682
• Seasonal Breakfast 288 |
| Golf Rounds (13 December – 11 January) |
• 4489 total rounds
• Member/spouse = 1771
• Accompanied Guests = 982
• Unaccompanied Member Guests = 135
• Juniors /Students = 840
• Referrals/Visitors = 761
• 2174 cart rentals |
• 5714 used balls sold
• 478 new sleeves sold (totalling 1434 balls)
• 217 St Francis Links Caps purchased
• 368 Ball Markers sold
• 120 Rental Sets went out – A lot of keen new golfers taking on our championship course. |
| These figures not only demonstrate the sheer volume of play but also the enthusiasm of our guests to fully immerse themselves in the St Francis Links experience, from stocking up on essentials to proudly sporting our branded merchandise.
But it doesn’t stop just at the golf course.
Our Hospitality team truly outdid themselves, orchestrating a series of epic events that rocked the roof off and created unforgettable memories for all who attended.
A massive round of applause and heartfelt credit goes to Pieter and Janine, whose exceptional dedication and meticulous planning ensured the seamless and successful execution of every single event. Their hard work and passion shone through, making this High Season a truly special experience for everyone. Well done, Pieter and Janine!
There was truly something for everyone to enjoy, catering to all ages and tastes. From the infectious energy of kiddie’s rock shows that had the little ones dancing with glee, to the nostalgic sounds of tribute bands that brought classic hits to life, the entertainment was diverse and captivating. For those seeking a more relaxed ambiance, the sweet acoustic stylings perfectly complemented our exquisite food and wine offerings, creating an atmosphere of sophisticated enjoyment. |
17 December – ROCK QUIZ
18 December – ROTARY SHOWCASE WITH GINO FABRI
19 December – NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE SHOW
21 December – CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL TRIBUTE SHOW
22 December – KIDS ROCK
27 December – BACK TO THE 80’S
30 December – SIMON & GARFUNKEL / EVERLY BROTHERS TRIBUTE SHOW
8 January – SIMON SHAW BAND1950’s and 1960’s
In-between we had local artists performing in Jack’s Bar from 17h00 – 19h00
– Surf boertjie
– Ryan Oz
– JJ Pieterse
The positive feedback from both our long-standing members and new visitors has been overwhelming, highlighting the exceptional quality and variety of the events. We are already looking forward to even more exciting events and memorable experiences in 2026!
Another highlight from one of our best golfers in the club – Tony Gunton! Here is Tony’s experience taking on some of the best amateur golfers in the world!
Earlier in December I had the privilege of playing in the Hong Kong Senior Open. It is a truly international event, a field of 85 golfers from around the world playing Strokeplay over 3 rounds at the renowned Royal Hong Kong Golf Club.
Having my son, Michael, a resident in Hong Kong, caddying for me makes the event even more special. We enjoyed a practice round and 3 competition rounds thereafter.
I managed 19th overall and 3rd in my age group, having had a poor opening round. Things got better as we acclimatized to the conditions, ending off with a solid final round.
Whilst in the region I managed to break away to Vietnam and Thailand for a couple of rounds in each, wonderful golf courses and amazing caddies!
Hopefully I will get back next year for another crack at the title.
Well done Tony – we support you and look forward to a competitive 2026 with you right up there on the leaderboards. |
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| Our Golfers Shine Bright with Kwikelec Member-Member Success! |
| What a spectacular weekend of golf – thanks in no small part to the incredible support of Kwikelec and Barry Davis, who continues to be one of our most influential and generous sponsors for our major events.
Charl and is team pulled out all the stops – with the course in pristine condition.
A massive round of applause goes out to our overall champions, Jo Viviers and Hein Spangenberg, who clinched the top spot with an outstanding 104 points! Their exceptional play and teamwork have earned them the distinct honour of being the first names on our 2026 honours boards. |
| Jo Viviers and Hein Spangenberg |
| Hot on their heels, were Percy Owen and Joe Dickinson, securing a very respectable second place with 103 points – Percy had to pull the cord on the final hole due to the recent fires in the area – not playing the final hole, which could have very easily resulted in them walking off as champions! Rounding off the podium was Rob Becker and Nigel Oxenham with a fantastic 101 points. |
| Rob Becker and Nigel Oxenham |
| The individual day prizes also saw some incredible performances. On Day 1, Paul Mynhardt and Wikus Landman showcased their prowess, taking home the prize with an impressive 49 points. Day 2 belonged to Luke Biggs and Michael Biggs, who dominated the course with an incredible 59 points! |
| Wikus Landman and Paul Mynhardt |
| Luke Biggs and Michael Biggs |
The “Nearest to Pin” challenges always add an extra layer of excitement, and our members certainly rose to the occasion.
Day 1
Jack McClure – Hole 4
Lesley Krause – Hole 7
Norton Kingwill – Hole 14
Miche Groenewald – Hole 17
Day 2
Jason King – Hole 4
William Sears – Hole 7
Colin Higgins – Hole 14
Gavin Olivier – Hole 17
The Kwikelec Member-Member is a highlight on the St Francis Links calendar year after year. |
| Meanwhile, there was a fire!!! Just before 12h00 last week Thursday, Liezl received a message about a fire on a farm up the Oyster Bay Road. Kouga Fire Services and the St Francis Disaster Volunteer Group (DVG) responded and before we knew it, 8 days followed.
We commend the incredible selfless dedication of the volunteers who fought this fire! And the Links team who were active in the fires, that not only affected the properties along the Kromme River, but also North East of Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp. Its is estimated that around 2 500 hectares burned.
Our thanks to our own Charl Blaauw, Kevern Burger, Eugenie Burger, Daniel Zahn, Johan Marais and Liezl Clause, all who serve the DVG and who were involved. Our thanks also to our clubhouse team, under Pieter Germishuys, who were prompt in supplying the aerial support pilots with breakfast rolls at the St Francis Airfield. |
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| This video sums up the 3000L water dump by the bomber pilot, which was instrumental in saving so many homes. The water also contains a foam retardant and together with the 3 choppers and a spotter Cessna, it was very effective. |
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