20 Years in S'Africa!
Today, September 1 2011 marks the end of my first twenty years in South Africa (by choice) and the beginning of, what I hope, is my next twenty! At 35, I thought my 3-year contract to head up golf operations at Fancourt would be just that – 3 years! Well…
6 years at Fancourt, 20 months at Simola (ten years before she finally opened), 8 years at Sparrebosch/Pezula and now, nearly 5 years here, and all I can say is, “It’s been amazing…!”
6 years at Fancourt, 20 months at Simola (ten years before she finally opened), 8 years at Sparrebosch/Pezula and now, nearly 5 years here, and all I can say is, “It’s been amazing…!”
September 1991-February 1997… the hub of the Garden Route, great walk, cross-country golf, top-10 while in liquidation, Ernie, Ernie, Ernie, The Hall of Fame, Bell’s Cups, the “Annie: Fancourt Invitaional, Billy, Garth, Gav, Lawrence, Ingrid…the Staff, the members, the courses, lie-dice, 8 to 5 and then 5 to 8! The beginning…
November 1998-November 2006…Postcard to South African golf; uncompromising service – the experience, the professional team-the staff-the members – all good, the Pezulization” of Sparrebosch, fog over the lagoon or fog over the clifftop, Mr Stewart…interesting times…
November 2006-present…beating the odds, best 18 holes – unique, ever-challenging (and rewarding) in SA, restructuring – great TEAM, best owners and developers, supportive members, Mother Nature, drought and floods, solid, stable and secure despite it all – just getting started…so much to achieve.
20 years in SA… growing the great game of golf… growing golfers… taking care of my members’ “quality time”… meeting Presidents, sportsmen and people from all walks of life and from all over the world… South Africa IS a world in one country – I agree.
I have found true love, formed great friendships, trained a few, watched my best employees become the best for others, enjoyed constant change – unpredictable outcomes, planned for the exceptions and cherished the rewards; in my profession, the PGA, I have experienced growth and educational improvements, in the business of golf and golf tourism, I have seen the introduction of new courses and “classic” course improvements – I have seen clubs improve in customer service and course conditioning – I have seen almost everything associated with golf get better. We have all had to learn and adjust, restructure and reorganize - to survive…and we are.
I look forward to anticipating your needs, being flexible to your wants…I can’t wait to play the 13th into a 4-club “perky” wind and making my next hole-in-one; but I will be just as happy making the traditional “Snoopy” sign for your next ace. I will also keep my writing hand going for the Majors, the Club events and scoreboards for special groups!
I have found true love, formed great friendships, trained a few, watched my best employees become the best for others, enjoyed constant change – unpredictable outcomes, planned for the exceptions and cherished the rewards; in my profession, the PGA, I have experienced growth and educational improvements, in the business of golf and golf tourism, I have seen the introduction of new courses and “classic” course improvements – I have seen clubs improve in customer service and course conditioning – I have seen almost everything associated with golf get better. We have all had to learn and adjust, restructure and reorganize - to survive…and we are.
I look forward to anticipating your needs, being flexible to your wants…I can’t wait to play the 13th into a 4-club “perky” wind and making my next hole-in-one; but I will be just as happy making the traditional “Snoopy” sign for your next ace. I will also keep my writing hand going for the Majors, the Club events and scoreboards for special groups!
Well Done Helen!
And to you too Renee!
Putting up a few scores…
…I’ll keep “Smiling before every great Shot”…and try to keep smiling after every other one too!
Thanks Liezl, thanks friends, colleagues, members and members of management, staff and all who have kept it “unreal”.
Give that man a Bell’s! …and he’ll be toasting y’all (you all)! “Donkey fir Ulice vaat yela fir may ghadoen het!” (‘American’ for Thanks for all you have done for me!)
Great News…Spring Programme went very well!
For the next two week’s or so, we will be recovering from the hollowtining with some slower greens and bigger cups. Now may be the best time to get your first hole-in-one as the special cups we put out for the “transitional period” are half-again bigger than what you are accustomed to!
How can you be anywhere else…
RWC – Rugby World Cup on HD…with great food and drink specials served by our smiling staff…be here!!!
RWC – Rugby World Cup on HD…with great food and drink specials served by our smiling staff…be here!!!
I love it when a plan comes together…
This past weekend, our golf team organized a little “Road Trip” to my ‘old haunt’, Pezula. 16 members from here teamed up against 20 members from Pezula for an official day of golf and camaraderie on Saturday, a nice dinner afterwards and for most who went on the trip, a night or two on the state and some additional golf. Meyer DuToit, my former Head Professional and now the Golf Manager at Pezula, really laid it on us. The course was in the best condition I had seen it in years! The weather was typical Knysna winter weather, near perfect. Despite losing the “friendly” by a couple of shots, it was a great time had by all. Alison Bosch sent through some pics from their weekend – thanks for that! The return trip is being scheduled for late November… watch this space.
Jeff
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