Dear Santa,

Last year you were really good to me. You recognized that I had been GOOD and that I deserved some really cool presents. My new clubs were fantastic and I am playing better than ever. When everything was going exceptionally well with the business, I planned and promised the kids a really special trip for this year.

 There had been discussions about skiing in Europe or sailing in the Caribbean. Having said that, all I hear about is St Francis Links and all that there is to do in St Francis Bay. I even have friends who are trying to “semi-grate” there because they can put the kids in good schools, live in clean air, walk and run on the beaches, park and shop with no hassles and sleep with the windows open.

I want to go to St Francis Bay and play St Francis Links, again and again! How do I convince the family that this is a great call? You know that I would much rather be there than anywhere else…it’s just that I promised…
 
Now, thanks to a bunch of speculators and unregulated business dealings in the USA, the markets have gone down faster than a Bangladesh batsman. Even though South Africa is handling it all better than the rest of the world, I still need to box clever. Now, Santa, the only way I am going to be able to be a hero in the house is if I can package this plan perfectly. Please advise!

Signed,
Really Good Dad.

Dear RGD,
You have been a good boy, haven’t you! You must realize that a holiday at St Francis Links (or even a lifetime) is always going to be better than playing language games, having currency struggles, dealing with airport madness and not having the Boks or the Proteas on the screen (long save the BOK emblem). 

There will be no back yard braais or walks on the best beaches in Austria and there will be nothing but Bermuda Triangles south and west of Miami. Leave me some Chocolate chip cookies next to an ice cold glass of milk and I will provide a perfect holiday in the Bay-known as St Francis.

 You can take walks in the Sand River Reserve where Frank and his team have cleared the way; you can bike, you can surf and fish and better yet, do nothing at all! Your wife can follow her Aqua SPA break with a drink on the Veranda and you all can let us cook for Christmas lunch and get you dancing on New Year’s Eve. Fill the stockings with gifts from the Pro Shop, the Billabong shop and all the other local shops around.
 
Check out the new mall at Fountains and all of the courses in the area. Rest assured of one thing…the course is yours, the staff are ready and the weather WILL perform – some days more than others. If you’re flying, book now…if you’re driving, fuel prices are fallen!
 
All the Best,
Santa 

Kamte Watch…
James Kamte made it to the final stages of the 2008-9 European Tour School and will be playing on the European Tour next year with a ‘conditional status’ card – he finished outside the top 32 but is expected to get 10-15 starts. James battled back problems throughout the year and did not manage to keep his card. He is currently sitting 6th on the South African Order of Merit with R642, 503 and has just finished T2nd in the Coca-Cola Challenge at Fancourt. Earlier this year, James won the Dimension Data Pro-AM and last month, the Medmar Classic with a great 20-under par finish. Travelling to Europe as a rookie is no easy task. Add to that the pressure that James put on himself to perform and it was even tougher. Get some rest, spend some good family time and re-build your confidence by winning here in good old SA!
 
Another Southern Cape star, friend and hopeful, Branden Grace, played the tournament of his young life by finishing in the top 32! Branden played many a round in Knysna when I was at Pezula. I wish both he and James well for the year ahead. 
The Pam Golding Annual
St Francis Links vs St Francis Bay – December 16 and 17, 2008
Pam Golding Properties sponsors again with R10, 000

Get your family, fellow members and if you have friends staying with you at the time, sign up for the 3rd ANNUAL Interclub Tournament played on the Links and Bay courses. 
 
Pam Golding has again, come to the party with a fantastic R10, 000 Sponsorship to cover the cost of the Prizegiving Lunch and welcome gifts. The only thing missing is you. The entry fee is once again only R150 for all members in the field. You will play 18 holes at each club and in alternating fashion, enjoy this year’s Prize giving and lunch here following final round play. With morning play each day on both courses, we can take up to 100 players on each side. There will be prizes for the best betterball scores and of course, the trophy will be awarded to the team with the highest overall average points over the two days. The Links has won the first two tournaments and the folks from the Bay are ready to put it in their trophy case – that won’t happen with all of you playing for us! Sign Up Now!!!

Win a set of Mizuno Irons

If you haven’t already done so, please fill in the PGA of South Africa’s Golf Trends Survey 2008. Apart from you learning a couple of things about your own game, the survey will also give me important feedback for me to better assist you in the future.
Plus you will stand in line to win a custom fitted set of Mizuno Irons. Second prize is a Mizuno standbag and third and fourth is a FREE golf lesson.

Regards
Jeff