“Pull the Trigger, Pards!”
On Saturday night, I watched one of the most desperate, yet successful, rounds of golf ever. Kevin Na (Yes. I am the guy who made 16 on the 9th in Texas last year!) was experiencing what I can only refer to as ‘takeaway yips’ – he couldn’t pull the trigger…waggle, waggle…stop, step away, groan…waggle, waggle…GO!...perfect shot and EVENTUALLY, the lead after round three.
![]() |
![]() |
I taped the final round and watched it with the fast forward button early Monday morning. Hey, it’s the Players Champs played on TPC Sawgrass with the most talked about closing holes in golf. By taping the event, I turned 300 minutes into about an hour and a half without any commercials – it would have been an hour of coverage if I hadn’t had to endure Kevin NA! With all the waggles, speed of play was issue for Na on Saturday (risking a penalty shot). On Sunday, his game was off and I am sure it was due to trying to play faster. Even the crown made it harder as the Budweiser’s must have been flowing to a few American idiots – as they actually taunted him…the TV announcers had plenty to say…
Golf Channel analysts Brandel Chamblee, Frank Nobilo and Golf Channel on NBC analysts Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch commented on Na’s third round during Live From The Players on Golf Channel (7-9 p.m. ET).
Brandel Chamblee: “We hear guys talking about needing swing coaches, sports psychologists, fitness instructors or changing managers. He needs an exorcist. I half expect winged bulls to fly out of his head when he is standing over a shot.
| I’m not sure if Sigmund Freud were alive he could figure this one out. But the fact is he hits marvellous shots. It is almost like all of the angst is unjustified.” Frank Nobilo: “It is such an unusual rhythm and a round of golf. You feel for the guy doing it, but you want to say, ‘Come on, let’s just go,’ and the guy can’t move.” Roger Maltbie: “It is so amazing to watch him struggle to get the club back from the ball and make a backswing. And then you will hear him yell at himself and all of a sudden he just stripes it. He hit so many good quality shots after having to call off the shot – so to speak – a number of times. I don’t know how he is doing it, I’ll be honest. It is amazing.” Gary Koch: “I certainly can’t remember anything like it. Obviously you see players back off shots when they are uncomfortable but they tend go back to their pre-shot routine, whatever that may be. The interesting thing to me about Kevin Na was how he was able, in midstream, just get back over the ball and continually hit good shots. You would think the results would not be very good.” Matt Kooooochar won the event on Mother’s Day with his wife and kids there to greet him – great smile, Kuch! |
![]() |
And now…for something completely different…S9 Super Slide!
AKA…What to do on a quiet Sunday at The Links!
On Sunday, we played host to our first ever S9 skateboarding competition. Ernest Bendeman, our member and MD of SA Billabong came to me with a request to use our cart paths around the 5th tee. We set up our golf course tee sheet in a way to accommodate our golfers and our S9 participants. Youngsters competed in different age groups - families and friends made a day of it. The St Francis Bay Super Spar donated Boerie rolls. Volunteers and sponsors produced a good event. Check out the pics! PS-The Arderne’s boy, “Zoomie” (appropriately named) won the Open division – his brother is ranked Number 1 in SA! It was impressive to watch!
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 16 Monthly Medal
May 17 Santa’s B-DAY!
May 18 Shield Golf Day (private function)
May 20 Sunday School – Couple’s Golf (invite friends for R170 each)
May 21 “Resident’s Club” Get-together followed by “Easy Monday”
May 23 Curry Night (takeaways available)
May 24 ZwartenLinks or LinksenBosch – NEW INTERCLUB event (call the Golf Shop)
Jun 13 Open Wednesday – special rates and prizes
"MAJORS"
PGA Tour
Jun 14-17 US Open, Olympic Club, San Francisco, USA (Rory McIlroy*)
Jul 19-22 Open Championship, Royal Lytham & St. Annes GC, Lancashire, U.K (Darren Clarke*)
Aug 9-12 US PGA Championship, Kiawah Island Resort, Kiawah Island, South Carolina (Keegan Bradley*)
*defending Champion
ST FRANCIS LINKS – “MAJORS AND MORE”
Jun 16 The ‘MAJORS’ – 2nd Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
Jul 21-22 Men’s INVITATIONAL (Member Guest)
Jul 22 The ‘MAJORS’ – 3rd Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
July 28 Ladies’ INVITATIONAL (Member Guest 2012)
Aug 11 The ‘MAJORS’ – 4th Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
Sep 15 Ladies “Open”
Sep 29-30 The LINKS CUP (in conjunction with the Ryder Cup – Medinah CC, Illinois)
We need your favourite MUG…
For Monthly Medal / The Monthly MUG
Just ‘because we can’ – the Monthly Medal needs monthly MUGS and we are looking for 12 MUGS to mount as the Monthly MUG to acknowledge the monthly winners. Don’t you have a special one you can part with – tasteful ones, please!
![]() |
|
It’s my B-Day on the 17th! Come and join me for a “toot” – you can buy! Regards, Jeff |
![]() |
What a Difference A Putt Makes…
Vlam Michau made a clutch four-footer on the 36th green to hold off two-time Club Champion, Phillip Smith, by a single shot. Ernie Els on the other hand, made a basket full of putts over his four days only to have a six-footer stand between him and victory. Two years ago, Vlam was struggling a bit with the short stick – On Sunday, he, clearly, was not! Vlam made a lot of clutch putts on his way to Club Championship title number ONE! As a matter of fact, he played a lot of clutch shots as the final 18 holes featured two players who shot the same score and were never more than a shot apart. It was great to watch!
![]() |
While Vlam and Phillip were battling it out around the front nine, Dr. Lynn Slogrove was putting on a little clinic for the ladies on the back nine as she became the first of our members to break 80 in the champs! Her second-day 79 (40-39) helped her to claim her second consecutive championship. Renee Botha has been noticeably absent from the game for a while. She gave chase on day one and played well enough on day two to claim the Best Nett title for 2012. This is the second time she has gotten her name on the big board as she also won the Ladies’ Member-Member with Cindy Mills in January. This weekend, she can complete the sweep as our ladies play host to their special friends in the Invitational.
Ernest Bendeman fashioned two solid rounds of 79 and 81 to capture second place gross in the Men’s Medal. Norman Pretorius, who fired a nett 68 on day one was runner-up in the Men’s Medal – nett. We introduced a new trophy this year for the man who had the most perseverance in the medal play – it had to be a man because the inscription on the trophy (dating back to 1921) has to do with being the “best ram in show” or something like that! In the picture above, Dave Hart’s (2nd from the top right) smile reflects the inscription and the state of the trophy more than his golf. Also pictured above is young Jandre Lessing who won the Stable Division for the second year in a row, this time as a 13-year old. It’s really not fair that he plays in the champs as the fact is - he only wonders off the tennis courts (he is ranked South Africa’s Number ONE player under-14) to play once or twice a year and he even beat his dad – no respect.
Two things happened over the weekend that are worth repeating (the names of the participants will remain anonymous to protect their integrity). First, on Saturday, one participant in the medal division pushed his drive to the right on the stroke one, ninth. To keep play moving (and following my specific 1st-tee instructions), he played a provisional ball (drive-1, back 2. playing 3), then another (out 3, back 4, playing 5), then another (out 5, back 6, playing 7), then another (out 7, back 8, playing 9) and finally, another (out 9, back 10, playing 11)…enough he says – and they go looking for the first ball. THEY FOUND THE FIRST BALL – YEAH! He plays it and makes FOUR – par four on stroke ONE – yeah! I am sure that when you see Neil Jones, sorry, he’ll deny the entire incident! Then, on Sunday, the esteemed Dr Cronje (did I say Dr. Danie Cronje, sorry) presents his original golf ball to me after nine holes – somewhat pleased with himself for completing the nine with one ball – what only came out today (Wed) was the fact that during the nine, he was forced to play three ‘provisional’ balls. Today, he confessed that he lost all three of them…shame!
Something tells me that rules of Club Champs must be reviewed or we must simply learn to play more GOLF during the year. You decide...I (and my team) will do the rest!
Well done Vlam, well done, Lynn, well done, Gilly for playing your first MEDAL ever! Well done, Charl for setting up and presenting a great course, well done, Ryan, Justin and the golf team for running a great event and THANKS LIEZL, for dominating the Augusta Night on Friday! Special thanks to all of the members who participated in the Champs!
![]() The champions, Vlam and Lynn |
![]() Lynn holing her winning putt! |
![]() Lynn with former champ, Helen and Nett winner, Renee! |
Regards,
Jeff
Just play like our PRO’S...
Just play like our PRO’S Louis and Branden as you prepare for Club Champs… mentally, at least.
In the last two weeks, South Africans, once again, captured titles on the European Tour, that makes it 8 wins in the last twenty events for our boys!
![]() |
![]() |
This weekend is our Club Championships on a course that is tailor-made for Championship golf! Instead of worrying about medal play and how you may screw it up, take a page out of Louis’ and Branden’s play books – focus on winning, play the tournament one great shot at a time, and, above all remember, that ‘every great shot begins with a SMILE’. Louis didn’t even have time to come and say good-bye before leaving the Masters and flying to Malaysia. He shook off thirty hours of flying to win the Maybank Championship. Branden, waltzed into China and forgot that only months ago he was at tour school gaining his card for the big leagues. With three wins and over a million Euro ‘reasons’ to forget that qualifying school, I am sure that Brenden was playing this past weekend with a different level of confidence. Ladies and gentleman, you are not going to come here this weekend and play well and have fun doing it unless you remember that it IS for you, a game, and game that will test your metal, your patience and your skills – it is also a game played by only one person, you…and you are the only one applying the pressure on YOU! Relax, shake it off, play like its Wednesday or Saturday with your best friends. Don’t come up with some fancy new routine or swing for this weekend. Come with a great attitude and the swing you know! Enjoy the experience. Think of Louis – think of Branden! Freddie Couples, when faced with a challenging shot used to recall, before playing the shot at hand, a similar shot that he had played well in a similar situation before. You know the course and you have played every single hole well at one time or another. When you approach each tee, take a second and replay that perfect drive you have hit so many times before – take DEAD AIM (thanks Mr. Penick) and go! Everyone will find some trouble over the two days and those who manage themselves through it all will fare the best.
| Don’t look for trouble! Instead, look for opportunity. You didn’t get where you are today by being negative. Hey, pressure is what you have accomplished in life and work, from raising kids to paying taxes – this is golf – the great game of golf! Be Louis this weekend and if Bubba curves one out of the woods (fynbos) to win, well, you gave it your best, anyway. You can’t tell the story, if you’re not here to live it! This weekend is Club Championships, the second St Francis Links MAJOR of the year! Make a plan to be here, change a plan if you need to... and we’ll make space. Join your fellow members for a weekend of golf on YOUR great course, share a story or two over a cool one and be a part of the great club spirit we have here. |
![]() |
Marinus Peltenburg |
On Friday night, I’ll take you through the rules for play and the events for the weekend. I have some pictures from Augusta and a few stories to share – they can only inspire you to greatness! Join me for Friday and our entire team for a memorable weekend at YOUR Links. If you are on my mailing list and not a member, come and enjoy the course as well, they’ll be space! Play the tees and the tournament pins that the competitors will play – maybe next year it will be yours to win! Marinus Peltenburg – one of St Francis Links 1st Employees is moving on. Thanks, Pards! Marinus (Rinus) Peltenburg has been a loyal and giving employee since before we opened the estate in 2006 – employed by Frank Silberbauer as his 2IC on the estate side. Over the years, Rinus has been involved in all aspects of estate maintenance and services, as well as security management over the past 5 ½ years. For the past year, Rinus has focused solely on security – access control and response. He has taken the decision to go into private business remaining in St Francis Bay. On behalf of the entire management team, members and fellow employees, I would like to thank Rinus for his commitment and contributions. |
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 28-29 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (Friday welcome function – 18h30)
May 5 Ladies’ Invitational - Member Guest
May 8 Pezula HOME Game – members from Pezula joining us
May 9 OPEN Wednesday
"MAJORS"
PGA Tour
Jun 14-17 US Open, Olympic Club, San Francisco, USA (Rory McIlroy)
Jul 19-22 Open Championship, Royal Lytham & St. Annes GC, Lancashire, U.K (Darren Clarke)
Aug 9-12 US PGA Championship, Kiawah Island Resort, Kiawah Island, South Carolina (Keegan Bradley)
ST FRANCIS LINKS – “MAJORS AND MORE”
Apr 28-29 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (New Dates – long weekend)
May 5 Ladies’ INVITATIONAL (Member Guest 2011-make-up date)
Jun 16 The ‘MAJORS’ – 2nd Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
Jul 21-22 Men’s INVITATIONAL (Member Guest)
Jul 22 The ‘MAJORS’ – 3rd Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
July 28 Ladies’ INVITATIONAL (Member Guest 2012)
Aug 11 The ‘MAJORS’ – 4th Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
Sep 15 Ladies “Open”
Sep 29-30 The LINKS CUP (in conjunction with the Ryder Cup – Medinah CC, Illinois)
Cheers for now.
Regards,
Jeff
MOVING UP…back to Number 9 in SA!
| MOVING UP…back to Number 9 in SA! My Number ONE moved up in the Top 10 of South African golf courses and my Number TWO took over Golf Digest’s Number ONE spot. St Francis Links continues to get better and the SA Golf Digest panellists agree. Our course, like no other in South Africa, is getting better and better. Number 9 in the newly released golf course rankings! I had the pleasure of meeting Gary Player at a private party in his home in Augusta in a development with three nine hole courses – one designed by Arnold Palmer, one by Jack Nicklaus and one by Gary himself. It is a beautiful development. |
![]() |
On seeing Mr. Player that night, the first thing he asked me was, “How is St Francis Links? I really want to come and see It.” …to which I replied, “You know, we would love to host you. It’s a course that should make all South Africans proud! It really is a gem in one of the most beautiful settings the country can offer.” St Francis Links IS a course that makes us proud. After returning from one of the best in the world, I couldn’t wait to show my American friends, Jim and Laurie, our hectors of magic! Judging from his comments and the number of pictures she took, I think we stacked up pretty well! Leopard Creek replaced Fancourt Links at the top and only 6 points (584 to 590) separated 10th and 7th!
The Golf Digest Top 10:
1 Leopard Creek
2 Fancourt Links
3 Gary Player CC
4 Arabella
5 Pearl Valley
6 Blair Athol
7 Fancourt Montagu 590 pts
8 Royal JHB East 588 pts
9 ST FRANCIS LINKS 586 pts
10 Wild Coast 584 pts
…from our members
"Dear Jeff,
Another wonderful achievement, not only being in the top 10 but lifting us to No.9. Well done to you and your capable team, Lin and I are so privileged to live on this wonderful estate. When asked where we live; it is with great pride that we can say 'ST FRANCIS LINKS!'
All the Best
Graham and Linda Hall"
It Doesn’t Get Better Than That (Unless Louis Won)!
For nearly 50 years, I have watched the Masters on television, this year I watched it LIVE with Liezl and friends from SA and America. It was “bucket list” number ONE! We arrived in AUGUSTA on Monday of Master’s week and started it all off by having dinner with Louis and his family at the “host house” as it was called. Our package included a house near the course, dinners every night and breakfasts in the mornings (we were usually off to the course before breakfast), tickets for the tournament days and transport as needed – it was an awesome package and I have a great friend to thank for my invitation (Liezl has a great husband to thank for hers). Instead of playing golf on the Tuesday, I got tickets from Louis for the practice round – and we were off. My intention was keep a diary and forward mails for the newsletter. I got off to a great start with stories from the first two days. That soon ended as our days got longer…heading to the course before daybreak and returning after dark. There are stories and titbits that could keep me writing for days and recanting them all for months – however, I’ll spare you from some and touch on a few of the highlights.
An Emotional Moment
On Tuesday morning, Liezl and I arrived though the gate nearest home and in the vicinity of Amen Corner. My first view of the course was near the 13th green just as Phil Mickelson was walking up. The lump in my throat made it hard to swallow and the tears made it hard to see, because seeing it live for the first time was overwhelming – for me.
![]() My first look…the 13th green and Rae’s Creek |
![]() 1st day crowd |
![]() …watching Phil |
![]() Louis on the 11th on Tuesday…12th to the right |
Then we walked back to 11 and 12 Louis was playing a practice round with Lee! It was everything I expected and more…so much more. Yes, the fairways were like carpet, every inch of the course was perfect and every single volunteer was smiling and helpful and everything you purchased from unlabeled drinks to Masters Memorabilia was priced fairly. Even the guys in the toilets were cleaning after everyone. It was The Masters – a tournament week like no other in the world; it was Augusta, a venue like no other.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
| On Tuesday, we basically walked the entire back nine, looking at every tee fairway and green. As I said to Dale Hayes, it was the undulations in the greens that really had my attention – seeing the holes in person really brought back memories – the Crenshaw putt at 10, the Larry Mize chip-in to beat Norman at 11, the ball hanging on a nearly vertical slope at 12 for Couples and multitude of shots played into 13 and 15. We stood behind the tee at 18 to really feel the drama of the final drive (yep, it is really like hitting through a keyhole at 200 meters). The 12th from the tee looks like there is almost no green at all and the 13th plays like a horseshoe banking hard to the left – amazing! That was just Day ONE! On Wednesday, we toured the front nine and the holes there that were, for so many years, never seen on television. |
![]() |
The hole where Louis made his Albatross (number 2) plays downhill from the drive with a massive bunker in the landing are on the right and deep forest to the left.
Louis played it in 5, 7, 5 and TWO! On Sunday morning Liezl and I watched the first groups approach the green from behind the green before Liezl followed Louis the entire last 18 – standing beside him as he made the Albatross! It is known that Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts wanted to design a course that would feature tournament play – from television you could not believe how many places on the golf course provided great viewing – many times featuring more than one hole. Elevation changes – wow! Undulations – amazing! Shot-making required, course management, courage, controlled aggression, putting, putting and more putting. I watched incredible shots and very human mistakes. I watched the most amazing golf on the most amazing course – one where I having been watching, but not SEEING golf played. Last week, I felt Augusta.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we had the camera out – later, during the tournament, it was not allowed. We only took 270 shots – including Thomas Bjorn on the ninth in the Par-3 contest after he made and ACE in front of us.
![]() Near the 8th at the Par-3 tournament |
![]() Thomas spun it back into the hole |
||

![]() |
Liezl got close to the great man, Arnie, and we managed to get our chairs down behind the tee at one on Thursday morning as he, then Jack and the Gary made their own history. Even Phil donned his green jacket and was there (7 hours before his tee time) to see the Honorary Starters in action. From Thursday to Sunday, we watched a different kind of golf. No more skipping the balls over the water on 16, no more laughs and exchanges with the crowd as there was during practice. The fairways seemed to narrow and the greens quicken as the first major of the year was soon to separate the men from the boys – Tiger’s crowds diminished as his swing failed him (I stood behind him on the 1st as he pull-hooked his first shot deep and short into the trees). He then made a Tiger-style par to keep his entourage intact. There were no “You’re the Man” yells (thank goodness) but plenty of roars through the trees as world-class shots were played. You saw a lot more than I did by watching on TV, but you could not begin to feel the adrenalin that existed everywhere. Crowds were knowledgeable and respectful and very biased. When the scoreboards were updated on the course and a Mickelson or a Kuchar or a Bubba were moving up, the place when wild – Louis OW-st-whooo-sen – who? WE KNEW! |
On Friday, we again arrived early and managed to place our chairs on the tee at 12th, right behind the tee. We were early enough to see 15 guys come onto the 11th and then the 12th greens to set the pins for Saturday and confirm and cut the pins for Friday. They even referred to a big map and master plan to set the tees…amazing attention to detail. After three days of walking, I was quite happy to see how everyone handled the difficult 11th and awesome 12th. Nine hours later, world number one, Luke Donald was the last man through, one group after Tiger and Nick Watney – amazingly, the thousands who gathered in the area, started dispersing before he even walked to the tee.
Saturday, we were on foot again. As Phil started his charge and the crowds built up around him, we had less hassle walking with Louis and his family. That was cool. By the end of the day, the stage was set for another epic Master’s Sunday. We were treated to an awesome finish as you all know – the only difference was the fact that we finished our gut-wrenching day at about 8pm and you all at 2am – I am sure that sleep was impossible.
Missed you Ernie, missed the early blooming Azalea’s and missed seeing Charl put the jacket on Louis – but then again, we saw so much more. For a golfer, for me, it was an experience I’ll never forget.
Join me (invite to follow) for a drink and a trip down Magnolia Lane. I want to take you there!
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 22 “Sunday School” – Couples Golf – Betterball Stableford
April 28-29 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (Friday welcome function – 18h30)
May 5 Ladies’ Invitational - Member Guest
May 8 Pezula HOME Game – members from Pezula joining us
May 9 OPEN Wednesday
"MAJORS"
PGA Tour
Jun 14-17 US Open, Olympic Club, San Francisco, USA (Rory McIlroy)
Jul 19-22 Open Championship, Royal Lytham & St. Annes GC, Lancashire, U.K (Darren Clarke)
Aug 9-12 US PGA Championship, Kiawah Island Resort, Kiawah Island, South Carolina (Keegan Bradley)
ST FRANCIS LINKS – “MAJORS AND MORE”
Apr 28-29 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (New Dates – long weekend)
May 5 Ladies’ INVITATIONAL (Member Guest 2011-make-up date)
Jun 16 The ‘MAJORS’ – 2nd Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
Jul 21-22 Men’s INVITATIONAL (Member Guest)
Jul 22 The ‘MAJORS’ – 3rd Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
July 28 Ladies’ INVITATIONAL (Member Guest 2012)
Aug 11 The ‘MAJORS’ – 4th Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
Sep 15 Ladies “Open”
Sep 29-30 The LINKS CUP (in conjunction with the Ryder Cup – Medinah CC, Illinois)
Cheers for Now,
Jeff
PS. Mom got home safely! Thanks for coming, MOM!
Live from Augusta!
|
live from augusta!
As some of you might have seen Santa was interviewed by Dale Hayes at Augusta on SuperSport this weekend. If you missed it click here or on the image alongside!
Full Masters experience report next week! UPCOMING EVENTS April 19 – Ladies’ Seniors at SFL April 28-29 – SFL Club Championships |
![]() |
"MAJORS"
PGA Tour
Jun 14-17 US Open, Olympic Club, San Francisco, USA (Rory McIlroy)
Jul 19-22 Open Championship, Royal Lytham & St. Annes GC, Lancashire, U.K (Darren Clarke)
Aug 9-12 US PGA Championsh ip, Kiawah Island Resort, Kiawah Island, South Carolina (Keegan Bradley)
ST FRANCIS LINKS – “MAJORS AND MORE”
Apr 28-29 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (New Dates – long weekend)
May 5 Ladies’ INVITATIONAL (Member Guest 2011-make-up date)
Jun 16 The ‘MAJORS’ – 2nd Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
Jul 21-22 Men’s INVITATIONAL (Member Guest)
Jul 22 The ‘MAJORS’ – 3rd Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
July 28 Ladies’ INVITATIONAL (Member Guest 2012)
Aug 11 The ‘MAJORS’ – 4th Qualifier for the 2012 Nicklaus Champion of Champions (Pecanwood)
Sep 15 Ladies “Open”
Sep 29-30 The LINKS CUP (in conjunction with the Ryder Cup – Medinah CC, Illinois)
Regards,
Jeff



































Marinus Peltenburg











