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| Club Website | www.stfrancislinksgolfpros.co.za | Tel: +27 42 200 4500 |
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| Saturday, April 20, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
They gave us radios that merged live commentary with the giant screens and binoculars for a proper zoom to take it all in wherever the action was occurring. The course was nearly perfect for spectator viewing. Unless you wanted to get close to a tee or green where some forward planning was required, you could get close enough to hear them speak, especially when the Americans were trying to extricate themselves from the rough, where they spent most of Saturday morning! (They hit only 7 of 24 fairways to be exact). I was soon consumed in the golf and the atmosphere. While my heart was for the Americans, the shotmaking, excitement, crowd participation was all Europe and their enthusiasm, player and spectator, was contagious. There was no way that television could show what we felt and saw there live. An afternoon halve in the foursomes meant that the Americans needed more than they had shown, but the draw for Sunday showed some hope with some very interesting matches on the cards.
We made our way to the top of the stands at the 1st tee to take in the entire view. With 7000 mad fans around us chanting, singing and cheering, the wait for the 1st match went by quickly. Jose Maria Olazabal came to the tee and wound up the crowd. Cheerleaders did their part as did a DJ. Even the fans across the way on 2 and 18 mounds bounced the chants back to us. By the time Rory and Justin Thomas arrived on the 1st tee where their match could really set a tone, it was a frenzy. For a couple of hours I had some hope that USA could take the top five matches and make a go of it. In the end, it NEEDED to be a weekend for France and Europe. The most electric atmosphere meant the event and the prizegiving that followed on the 18th green was perfectly staged for the fans themselves. Tommy Fleetwood was in full flight, jumping into the fans arms, revving the crowd and showing more emotion than I have ever seen from him. While I realize the matches must be completed for records and statistics the wait for Noren and DeChambeau seemed to take forever. We watched the concession right in front of us from our perch at 16 green after Lefty followed Rickie in splashing their shots to the right-side pin. Then my host quietly approached with three wristbands (that were scarce) for the prizegiving at 18. We were meters from the green and all that followed. WOW, that just capped it all off, this Ryder Cup, only the Americans lost… the rest of us were all winners for being there. I met and spent quality time with the head of Club Car USA and all of the big players in the industry. He accepted my invitation to come to South Africa (I actually told his wife about SA first). The name St Francis Links is well respected and our good relationship ensures continued good support. I even reunited with the great Tony Jacklin, Ryder Cup Captain and major champion, who remembered our game set up by Mr Player at Fancourt.
I couldn’t take you with me but I hope you felt the vibe and watched it all! Alex Haindl uses patience and respect for the win! Last week some clever planning to avoid some predicted bad weather ensured the successful completion of the Vodacom Origins of Golf. No one mastered the course better than veteran golfer, Alex Haindl!
Finishing on 12 under par, Alex had to wait and watch Neil Schietekat’s ball hang on the 18th hole’s lip to avoid a playoff. The 35 year old Haindl used great ball striking and what he called OK putting to bring him home with the title. I was extemely pleased with the course condition as Charl and his team prepared and then, repaired a great course for the players. The sponsors were very happy, the players shared great comments for the course and the entire team and the PGA Sunshine tour guaranteed they would be back (preferably without Mother Nature in the field).  Putting You might have noticed during the Ryder Cup that matches were won by the guys who held putts. When it comes to ball striking the best players in the world are all very good, fairways and greens. Where they get separated is on the greens.
Posture Good posture is very important with the golf swing, do not think it is of no importance with the putting stroke. If you have bad posture your putting stroke will be more in the hands and not a pendulum movement from the shoulders. Relax When anxiety sets in you become stiff and this will result in you performing a jerky stroke. Control your breathing and visualize the ball going into the hole. Staying down on the putt Most short putts that are missed is because you are moving your body too much. Staying down on the putt means that you do not move your body too much or too early. "Coming out of it" is when you move your head early in the stroke to see where the ball is going. I have found that a good drill to help with this is to put your ball on top of a R5 coin and then hit the putt. Keep your focus on the coin for as long as possible after you hit the putt. For more information or to book a lesson contact me. Thinus Keller PGA Head Golf Professional 
Open Wednesday Itec are 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! Next one is on 8 August! Monday Roll-up! Pitch up and play (9 holes or 18 Par-3 from 2pm) - let's add you to the Whatsapp group. Monday Men's Book Club 5pm in Jack's Bar (no reading required). All day Saturdays Morning and afternoon fields - the afternoon field will be booked from 12 noon backwards with emphasis on "ready golf" Ladies' Tea (and coffee) Every Tuesday at 10am on the Veranda. 
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