| Thursday, March 28, 2024 |
Links CUP - Prez CUP 48 players in the Links Cup (too many strong South Africans)
24 players in the President's Cup and it seemed like a lot of Americans!
This past weekend our South African professionals found themselves on the wrong side of victory as the Americans came out with their guns blaring - finishing off the internationals 19-11 in what could have been much worse. In the singles, the internationals played for pride and captured 7 1/2 of the 12 remaining points with Louis and Charl winning and Gracie fighting back for a halve with the world number 1 (and undefeated) Dustin Johnson. Playing in his first international team competition, player of the year Justin Thomas went 3-1-1; the ageless Phil Mickelson became the winning-est Prez Cupper after going 3-0-1 for the week.
They don't call it the Presidents Cup for nothing - I'm glad JZ and Bob stayed home! |
In St Francis, our members entered through their country of birth or origin and it was two-thirds South Africans before we dug deeper into their past. In the end, 11 different anthems were attempted as the Links Cup followed tradition in song. Keith Simpson lead the South Africans to victory with Lynn Slogrove winning all three formats and making her first hole-in-one on the 4th. Other teammates scoring three points from three matches were - Thinus, Norman Pretorius and Hein Sevenster.
The South Africans pulled away in the singles after drawing the foursomes 6-6 and winning the Betterball 7 1/2 - 4 1/2. Carsten Christiansen raised the flag for Switzerland when he captured hi first ace on the 17th.
1st aces for Carsten and Lynn on 17 and 4! |
Everyone is a winner in the Links Cup - Medals for all courtesy of Colin Higgins! |
More to remember!
This was our best year to date in almost every way:
- We finished our 119th home on the estate (64 are permanent residents) - 22 homes have been completed this year. - 12 homes are under construction - 26 homes are in the planning or application stages - We are financially sound with great lifestyle choices for the entire family - Our golf rounds featured golfers from more than 20 different countries - from Wisconsin to New South Wales - We moved up in the nation ratings to No. 7 in Golf Digest - The UK rates us No. 6 - The Swedish press rate us No.4 - With our members, No. 1
Low trajectory high spinning wedge shots You see it on the PGA Tour… late at night you sit and watch golf and think to yourself “Why can’t I get spin like that?’’ I will discuss a few important factors that will help you generate more spin.
1. Equipment - If you are playing with dirty wedges or you have worn your grooves down, forget it. You need fresh wedges. The pros don’t play with old equipment.
2. Golf ball – You get what you pay for! You bought a dozen balls for R200… Good luck getting to stop the ball anywhere on the green. The guys you see on TV play with the most expensive and softest balls on the market.
3. Speed – The more speed you have in your swing the more friction there is between the ball and the clubhead.
Why did I write this article? To tell you that you can buy equipment that will help you spin the ball and with some lessons help you generate more speed in your golf swing. The combination of lessons and the correct equipment will put a smile on your face again. | | |
See you in the golf shop and at the practice tee!
Thinus Keller PGA Head Golf Professional
Click to watch |
Don't stop yet! New Events are listed below! Itec Solutions will be 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 Whatsapp group. All day Saturdays - Morning and afternoon fields The afternoon field will be booked from 12 noon backwards with emphasis on "ready golf" - Prize-giving and Happy Hour at 17h00 Oct 5 Oct 11 | Els for Autism ITEC Open Wednesday | Jan 2-3 Jan 7-8 Mar 11 Apr 28-30 May 7 May 18-19 May 20 May 27 Jun 3 Jun 10 | Men’s Member-Member, St Francis Bay wins by .18 of a point! Well done! The Pam Golding Annual, Derek Ryan and Scott Keevy, Champions Greensomes over 18 holes (NEW) Sandra Marais/Ingvild Stiansen; Mauro Nettl/Yan Coesens Club Championships - Ralph Richardson and Helen Bridges, Champions Inter-Estate Challange (St Francis Links) Woodlands' Dairy Golf Days for HOSPICE R400 000-00 raised for Hospice Stulting School Day R280 000-00 raised on the day Foursomes over 18 holes (NEW) Margot McGregor and Dr Lynn Slogrove, Champions Ladies' Invitational Sanlam – Links Qualifier | Jul 2-3 Jul 20-23 Jul 23-25 Aug 6 Aug 8-23 Sep 30, Oct 1 October 5 Nov 11-12 Dec 2 Jan 2-3 | National Junior Order of Merit (Wilco Nienaber, Champion - ranked No. 3 in SA) Men’s Invitational The Annual "Road Trip" Sanlam Cancer Finals HERE at St Francis Links Spring Programme – Course and Clubhouse Closed Links Cup Els for Autism at St Francis Links (finals at Highland Gate) Pam Golding Ladies OPEN Weekend Ladies' Member-Member Our course has evolved and proven to play differently for men and ladies. |
Every great shot starts with a SMILE | | |
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| When you’re pulling out that #5 Iron from your bag, if you had a Tour Caddie, the question they would ask you is not how far CAN you hit your #5 Iron; but HOW FAR DO YOU really hit your #5 Iron. | | |
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What a way to stay fit | If you’re measuring ‘steps’, get out and play golf more often. You’ll blow your target away. And there’s much more fun along the way. | | |
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