Tri-Nations, Big Golf Days & Mother Nature (again)!
In early May, the tee sheet for this weekend started filling up. The Bokke play the All Blacks at Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 45, 000. Most of the golfing fans of the Springboks want to play golf here before the match – the result – 90 staying on site, a special dinner for some, golf for 140 booked and another 30 on the waiting list, countless calls asking me to make a plan and Mother Nature wants to rain on our parade – what have we done to P^#* her off! We have a golf course that is slowly returning to perfect and she wants to refill the “lows” every time we get them pumped out. The water is still coming in from the dunes to our west and the entire Eastern Cape is suffering with a water table that is higher than it has been in years. Come on, MOM, give us a break so we can show this place off to so many who are traveling from far to play the best course in the land!
On Saturday, we will be starting golfers on holes 1 and 10 from 7 am to allow the maximum number of golfers to play the course before the match at 17h00. I wish we could arrange for Test Matches once a month – we love the crowds.
By the way...if you are not attending the match st Nelson Mandela Stadium...join us here at The Links for HD Television coverage in Jack's Bar with drink specials (buckets of beer and more) and fantastic bar snacks. Enter the "pool" and take home hundreds!
Spring Programme – Course Closed August 22 (after the morning field) – August 29!
For my entire professional career, it seems that we always punch holes in our greens (hollow tining them) just when they are putting perfectly. At the Hills of Lakeway, where I held my first Head Professional position, we hollow tined the greens at least twice a year and for three weeks after, the bumpy surface forced us to close for a period of time and, after the initial recovery period, reduce rates until the surfaces returned to normal. This year, here at SF Links it will be no different; we must close to get everything done properly and without disruption, then re-open with reduced rates until we are back to normal – all should be good again by about the 10th of September. Note: If you struggle to make putts on perfect greens and prefer greens that sometimes correct a bad aim or stroke with imperfections in the surface, this is the time to play! I had my best round at The Hills (66) when they were covered in sand!!!
While the course is closed, the clubhouse will only be open for administration needs and beverage service. Please join us for Easy Monday dinner on the 22nd and note that Curry Night for the 24th has been cancelled – everything is back to normal from the 30th! During the closure, our staff will be traveling to other courses and estates for additional training and experience. Members in good standing will receive “member rates” (R100) at St Francis Bay Golf Club while we are closed.
Members making a difference…Craig and Renee!
By the way...if you are not attending the match st Nelson Mandela Stadium...join us here at The Links for HD Television coverage in Jack's Bar with drink specials (buckets of beer and more) and fantastic bar snacks. Enter the "pool" and take home hundreds!
Spring Programme – Course Closed August 22 (after the morning field) – August 29!
For my entire professional career, it seems that we always punch holes in our greens (hollow tining them) just when they are putting perfectly. At the Hills of Lakeway, where I held my first Head Professional position, we hollow tined the greens at least twice a year and for three weeks after, the bumpy surface forced us to close for a period of time and, after the initial recovery period, reduce rates until the surfaces returned to normal. This year, here at SF Links it will be no different; we must close to get everything done properly and without disruption, then re-open with reduced rates until we are back to normal – all should be good again by about the 10th of September. Note: If you struggle to make putts on perfect greens and prefer greens that sometimes correct a bad aim or stroke with imperfections in the surface, this is the time to play! I had my best round at The Hills (66) when they were covered in sand!!!
While the course is closed, the clubhouse will only be open for administration needs and beverage service. Please join us for Easy Monday dinner on the 22nd and note that Curry Night for the 24th has been cancelled – everything is back to normal from the 30th! During the closure, our staff will be traveling to other courses and estates for additional training and experience. Members in good standing will receive “member rates” (R100) at St Francis Bay Golf Club while we are closed.
Members making a difference…Craig and Renee!
Craig Haverly and Renee Botha understand the meaning of giving – of their time and talent! Young boys from the Sea Vista community are lining up in droves to be part of their weekly clinic. Gavin, from the golf staff is helping; we have donated balls and buckets. Well done, Team!
Golf Coaching for Sea Vista Children Begins at Talhado Children’s Haven
Every Thursday afternoon at 15h00, keen British golfers Craig Haverly and Renee Botha will be giving up an hour of their time to teach enthusiastic Sea Vista children how to play golf. The coaching takes place on the playing field outside the Talhado Children’s Haven, where excited boys gather to wait their turn with a club and balls.
“Golf has provided opportunities and employment for many people living in and around St Francis Bay and it therefore makes sense to introduce Sea Vista children to the sport. We felt that we could certainly help with this,” commented Renee Botha, who recently settled at the St Francis Links with partner Haverly. “We’ve moved from Britain to make this our home and we’d like to feel we are doing something positive for the community around us too.”
Every Thursday afternoon at 15h00, keen British golfers Craig Haverly and Renee Botha will be giving up an hour of their time to teach enthusiastic Sea Vista children how to play golf. The coaching takes place on the playing field outside the Talhado Children’s Haven, where excited boys gather to wait their turn with a club and balls.
“Golf has provided opportunities and employment for many people living in and around St Francis Bay and it therefore makes sense to introduce Sea Vista children to the sport. We felt that we could certainly help with this,” commented Renee Botha, who recently settled at the St Francis Links with partner Haverly. “We’ve moved from Britain to make this our home and we’d like to feel we are doing something positive for the community around us too.”
Talhado Children’s Haven is located in Sea Vista - www.talhadochildrenshaven.org
Many of you are already contributing to Talhado through time, gifts and effort. I think a little “punt” for what they do will go a long way to raise awareness – their words below in the logo say it best – “rather build a child than repair and adult”
…from Lesley Moore (Coordinator)
If you are going to say something about the Haven in your newsletter, I thought you might like to mention the fact that little Thandolwethu Njena, who was the top student at the Talhado Pre-Primary School in 2010, is the daughter of one of your employees at the Links, Lonwabo Mpupha. Little Thandolwethu passed with such flying colours, that we managed to secure her a bursary to attend Grade 1 at St Francis College here in St. Francis Bay and her teacher there tells me she is doing extremely well!
If you are going to say something about the Haven in your newsletter, I thought you might like to mention the fact that little Thandolwethu Njena, who was the top student at the Talhado Pre-Primary School in 2010, is the daughter of one of your employees at the Links, Lonwabo Mpupha. Little Thandolwethu passed with such flying colours, that we managed to secure her a bursary to attend Grade 1 at St Francis College here in St. Francis Bay and her teacher there tells me she is doing extremely well!
Talhado Pre-Primary School has an intake of +/- 100 pre-school pupils, a staff of 4 teachers, 3 asst. teachers, 1 cook and 1 cleaning lady + numerous volunteers for the After-Care Centre. The Haven or ‘Speel Kliniek” as the children call it, sees to the educational, nutritional and emotional needs of +/- 400 children ranging in age from 5 to 15.
Donations and sponsorships cover the annual running costs of approximately R500,000.00. Talhado Childrens Haven began in 1998 in the Greater St. Francis Bay area.
Donations and sponsorships cover the annual running costs of approximately R500,000.00. Talhado Childrens Haven began in 1998 in the Greater St. Francis Bay area.
Our mission: “ Rather build the Child than repair the Adult”
Registration No. is 003-622 NPO
Banking details: FNB, Humansdorp Code 210115, Account No. 62016171390
Contact :
Administrator Lesley Moore 082 556 1050 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Public Relations Lyn Aitken 082 777 5624 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website : www.talhadochildrenshaven.org
Administrator Lesley Moore 082 556 1050 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Public Relations Lyn Aitken 082 777 5624 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website : www.talhadochildrenshaven.org
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“The Ultimate Golf experience”
“Play the greatest 50 links courses in the world on four different continents during 100 consecutive days” This should’ve been my idea…how better can you see the best links courses on the planet. A few months ago I was contacted by Jan Remmelg, from Sweden, about an idea he had to play some great golf courses and promote them at the same time. At first, I was skeptical and replied by saying that it sounded like a good “Road Trip” with people like me making it possible. Since then, he has put together quite a package and gotten a lot of media and support behind him. We will represent the last leg of his journey…check out the route and the courses on the website listed below – want to join him???
"The Ultimate Golf Experience" - Play the greatest 50 links courses in the world on four different continents during 100 consecutive days" An amazing golf experience over 50 rounds of classic links golf in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, USA, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The start of the adventure is on 1st September, 2011 and St Francis Links will be the host on 5th and 6th December. You can follow the adventure on www.thelinks.eu.com and Facebook. There will be daily updates (text, images and video clips) covering each golf club visit. |
As we get closer to the time, I will report on his progress and let you know when he’ll be here. I’m sure many of you who are around will want to meet him and here about his travels!
Cheers For Now!
Jeff
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