How do we Compare against the Best?
Last week, I had the pleasure of playing golf with two gentlemen who have played golf all over the world, one who is a panelist for GOLF magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World (he has played every course that has ever been ranked in the top 100 – more than 130 worldwide) and another who has played 24 top 100 this year alone!
Bernard Mostert, our member and big ambassador for St Francis Links, brought the two Americans as part of their South African course tour. The gentlemen were most impressed with what they saw. Having already played Durban CC and Pearl Valley (with Fancourt Links, Blair Athol and Leopard Creek still to play), they spoke as though we were the quality stop so far. I was most interested in hearing the constructive criticism that would come from our 18 holes walking. What was most interesting was the fact that one of the guys made it clear that he was not a Nicklaus design fan as a rule. By the sixth hole, he commented that this was an amazing and positive departure from what he called ‘typical Nicklaus’ (made for golf estates design). I happen to be a fan of Mr. Nicklaus – I enjoy the strategies, risk and reward shots that are ever present – yet agree, that we, apart from that are different to what you might expect. They loved the natural look, the bunkering, the movement on the greens (commenting, in particular about the strength of the 8th green as it complimented the relatively short par-4). On a number of occasions, they stopped to reflect on the positives, the
Bernard Mostert, our member and big ambassador for St Francis Links, brought the two Americans as part of their South African course tour. The gentlemen were most impressed with what they saw. Having already played Durban CC and Pearl Valley (with Fancourt Links, Blair Athol and Leopard Creek still to play), they spoke as though we were the quality stop so far. I was most interested in hearing the constructive criticism that would come from our 18 holes walking. What was most interesting was the fact that one of the guys made it clear that he was not a Nicklaus design fan as a rule. By the sixth hole, he commented that this was an amazing and positive departure from what he called ‘typical Nicklaus’ (made for golf estates design). I happen to be a fan of Mr. Nicklaus – I enjoy the strategies, risk and reward shots that are ever present – yet agree, that we, apart from that are different to what you might expect. They loved the natural look, the bunkering, the movement on the greens (commenting, in particular about the strength of the 8th green as it complimented the relatively short par-4). On a number of occasions, they stopped to reflect on the positives, the
| uniqueness of the links and the feel of the course. Often Selwyn, the panelist, referred to his world travels, from Japan to Tasmania, comparing shots and holes here with those he rated highly. As we stood on the 12th, he referred to the 11th at Pebble Beach with regard the shot in to a small target over good bunkering – requiring precision. It was a great walk with people who really appreciated the greatness of the Links. Take a bow, Mr. Nicklaus – you overcame your most critical panelists!!! |
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…received from Bernard on Tuesday (13-7-2010)
Santa,
Thanks again for a great day out last Tuesday… Truly a walk to remember. The guys loved it and when all was said and done and after their visits to Stellenbosch, Pearl Valley, DCC, Leopard Creek, Blair Athol, Serengeti, The Links at Fancourt and SFL, they were convinced that SFL has no equal as a golf course in this country and is a real contender for future World Top 100 lists.
GOLF Magazine's Top 10 Courses in the World
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And Now… A trip to their 4th best course in the world!
| The OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 – The 150th Well, we are going back to St Andrews; this time all of the past living and available Champions will tee off before THE Championship to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. It will be the 28th time that the Championship is being played on the hallowed ground, known as the home of golf. Each of the Championships played there has its own great stories. I was invited back this year (had to decline in favour of our big Championship and Pro-Pro being played here) and will be remised not to see Ernie concur the course he has played so well on. There are 10 South Africans in this year’s field! 156 players will attempt to do what Tiger has done three times, Tom Watson 5 times, Sir Nick Faldo thee times. Did you know Ernie has twice played 4 rounds under 70 and not won… This year may be different! |
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Woods claims his second Open title at St Andrews – 2005 Tiger Woods’ mastery of the Old Course and of the world’s leading players was an almost exact repeat of his performance at St Andrews in the Millennium Open. He dominated play throughout the four days of the Championship, opening with rounds of 66-67, then had to fight hard in tough conditions on the third day for a 71 before adding the final flourish with a 70 and a five-shot victory over Colin Montgomerie. The expected challenge from the Scot, which gained momentum over the opening holes to tumultuous applause from the packed grandstands, ran into the buffers when he dropped a shot at the short 11th and from that point on, all thoughts of a home victory evaporated. |
| Tiger Woods wins the millennium Open in magnificent style For the twenty-sixth time, The Open returned to the Old Course, St Andrews. The Millennium Open, held at ‘the home of golf’, was expected to attract large crowds. Tiger Woods was on excellent form and was also predicted to increase spectator interest. The 24 year old was the crowd’s clear favourite to win. What they didn’t perhaps expect was the superior level of golfing skill he would display. The first day dawned mild and sunny, perfect playing conditions for the competition. Woods did not disappoint, scoring an opening 67, five under par. American Steve Flesch matched this score and Ernie Els played an even better round, with 66. The scores reflected the playing conditions; seven players finished on 68 and fifteen on 69. Notah Begay played an astonishing round. By the 17th, he was 8 strokes under par. At this hole, however, he played into the Swilcan Burn and made the unusual decision to play from the water. He dropped three strokes, and finished with 69. |
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The second day again produced excellent playing conditions. Els, however, suffered from inaccurate putting during this round and, with a score of 72, dropped to sixth place. The little known American, David Toms, scored 67 and moved up into second place. Low scores were again common — 27 players broke 70 and 39 others went round under par. The day, however, belonged to Tiger. He produced a brilliant 66, propelling him three strokes into the lead at halfway.
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Daly wins with power and precision It was not just his awesome power, but the delicacy and precision of his short game, that allowed John Daly to win the 1995 Open at St Andrews. But he had to go into overtime to claim the ancient trophy, thanks to a last gasp birdie putt from the Valley of Sin that put genial Italian, Costantino Rocca, into a play-off. Rocca came to the 18th hole in the final round needing a birdie to tie the big-hitting American. He drove close to the left side of the green, but a sand-wedge pitch was completely miss-hit and dribbled into the deep hollow at the front of the green. His putt climbed the steep bank, raced across the green and fell into the hole 65 feet away. Rocca fell face down on the turf in a moment of joyous relief and disbelief. |
There was a sense of anti-climax at the first extra hole when Rocca three putted, and when Daly holes for a birdie at the second he established a commanding two-shot lead as they moved across to the tee of the notorious 17th. Daly hit a tremendous tee shot some 330 yards into the narrowest neck of the fairway and crafted a closed-faced nine-iron pitch and run into the centre of the green. Rocca had to go for the pin and fell victim to the Road Hole bunker. He needed three attempts to gain the putting surface and his chances of the title had vanished.
| This 25th Open at St Andrews also marked the end of an era. Arnold Palmer was making his final appearance in the championship 35 years after he first played, in the Centenary Open of 1960. Flawless Faldo sets record at the Old Course Nick Faldo’s immaculate display of precision golf over the Old Course in the 1990 Open produced a record total of 270 — 18 under par — which left his nearest challengers five shots in his wake. It was not until the fourth hole of the final round that he was bunkered for the first time in the championship; the deep trap to the left of the green costing him a rare dropped shot. After opening rounds of 67-65 he was level at the head of the field with Australian, Greg Norman, who had started with a pair of 66’s. But while Faldo kept up the pressure with another error-free 67, Norman suffered the indignity of a 76 which dropped him out of the picture. |
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Join us in the Clubhouse as we bring home the Champion on HD!
The broadcast times for the coverage this week is as follows:
Wednesday, 14th July - Open Championship Past Champions Challenge - 16:30-19:00 (SS1 & HD) & 18:00-19:00 (CSN)
Thursday, 15th July - Round 1 - 09:30-21:00 (SS1 & HD) & 13:00-21:00 (CSN)
Friday, 16th July - Round 2 - 09:30-21:00 (SS1 & HD & CSN)
Saturday, 17th July - Round 3 - 10:00-21:00 (SS1); 10:30-14:45 (HD) & 16:00-21:00 (CSN)
Sunday, 18th July - Round 4 - 11:00-20:15 (SS1); 11:30-20:00 (HD) & 14:00-20:15 (CSN)
Regards,
Jeff
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