You BOIKI’s …or something like that!
Ok, I know that this little column is always centred on St Francis Links...this time we'll talk about friends of mine and fans of St Francis Links!
Two Young Men From The Southern Cape Fly The Flag For SA!
Louis played on two of my junior Interprovincial teams and Branden, well… I watched Branden split the fairways at Pezula when he was about 15. Both young South African golfers remember their roots in the Southern Cape. I sat with Vaughn Tucker here when Louis won the OPEN (thee OPEN) at St Andrews and Vaughn cried like a baby. On Sunday, my former Head Professional and close friend, Meyer Du Toit hopped on a flight with friends to JHB to follow Branden through his tense final 18. I know that I was more nervous than Branden watching on TV. When Meyer appeared behind the tee on 17 as Branden was about to pull the trigger on driver, it looked like Meyer was about to be sick with nerves (I hope B never saw him there!). Branden then creamed the drive that left him ‘nothing’ to the green. Par with two putts, a solid drive on 18 landing just to the right of the fairway, forced a near-perfect lay-up, a short wedge and two putts to victory...read on!
Louis had already won before, so when he played solid golf to claim the African OPEN two weeks ago, it was on the heals of a very strong finish to the 2011 tournament year, finishing with 4 international top-8’s including a 3rd place finish in the SA Open. Louis shot 11-under in the second round of the African Open (62) to pave the way to a strong repeat victory.
Branden, on the other hand, nearly saw his golfing career, short as it was, almost leave him as his strong standing on the European Challenge Tour faded away in the season-ending finals where he finished 24th on the Order of Merit after being in the top-15 all year. He then regrouped and attacked the Q-school gaining his European Tour in an event that most consider their hardest walk. Branden entered the African Open, ready and confident. Those who played with him in Knysna the week before said he was ready. Then, somehow in near-perfect coastal conditions, he started the African Open with 77 – 13 shots behind Thomas Aiken! Louis Martin, the ISM representative who formerly looked after the Sunshine and Asian Tours, and now makes sure the Louis’, Charl’s, Branden’s, Lee and Darren’s off course needs are anticipated and met, took Branden aside. He told me that his words to Branden were simple saying that all of the bad stuff was put behind him in one round and that he could simply go out and play…and Branden did – going 10 under on Friday, 4 under on Saturday and 6 under on Sunday to go from nowhere to tied 14th (-20) in the last three rounds.
With the African Open win, Louis can return home after the Volvo Championship this week, regardless of his outcome, to welcome his second child. He’ll take four weeks off and return to the US Tour for more victories.
 Louis (now King Louis) Oosthuizen wins the African OPEN Again! Story to follow… |
 Branden (amazing) Grace shows patience in taking his first European Championship! Story To Follow… |
Two Young Men From The Southern Cape Fly The Flag For SA!
Louis played on two of my junior Interprovincial teams and Branden, well… I watched Branden split the fairways at Pezula when he was about 15. Both young South African golfers remember their roots in the Southern Cape. I sat with Vaughn Tucker here when Louis won the OPEN (thee OPEN) at St Andrews and Vaughn cried like a baby. On Sunday, my former Head Professional and close friend, Meyer Du Toit hopped on a flight with friends to JHB to follow Branden through his tense final 18. I know that I was more nervous than Branden watching on TV. When Meyer appeared behind the tee on 17 as Branden was about to pull the trigger on driver, it looked like Meyer was about to be sick with nerves (I hope B never saw him there!). Branden then creamed the drive that left him ‘nothing’ to the green. Par with two putts, a solid drive on 18 landing just to the right of the fairway, forced a near-perfect lay-up, a short wedge and two putts to victory...read on!
Louis had already won before, so when he played solid golf to claim the African OPEN two weeks ago, it was on the heals of a very strong finish to the 2011 tournament year, finishing with 4 international top-8’s including a 3rd place finish in the SA Open. Louis shot 11-under in the second round of the African Open (62) to pave the way to a strong repeat victory.
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Branden, on the other hand, nearly saw his golfing career, short as it was, almost leave him as his strong standing on the European Challenge Tour faded away in the season-ending finals where he finished 24th on the Order of Merit after being in the top-15 all year. He then regrouped and attacked the Q-school gaining his European Tour in an event that most consider their hardest walk. Branden entered the African Open, ready and confident. Those who played with him in Knysna the week before said he was ready. Then, somehow in near-perfect coastal conditions, he started the African Open with 77 – 13 shots behind Thomas Aiken! Louis Martin, the ISM representative who formerly looked after the Sunshine and Asian Tours, and now makes sure the Louis’, Charl’s, Branden’s, Lee and Darren’s off course needs are anticipated and met, took Branden aside. He told me that his words to Branden were simple saying that all of the bad stuff was put behind him in one round and that he could simply go out and play…and Branden did – going 10 under on Friday, 4 under on Saturday and 6 under on Sunday to go from nowhere to tied 14th (-20) in the last three rounds.
With the African Open win, Louis can return home after the Volvo Championship this week, regardless of his outcome, to welcome his second child. He’ll take four weeks off and return to the US Tour for more victories.
| Branden’s golfing career has now taken a huge turn! His awesome tee -to-green play on the back nine, led to his first win - Number One on the SA Order of Merit, now heading into the Volvo at the Links as Euro’s newest Champion, playing a course he knows less than an hour from home…with R2,3m in his pocket and a two year pass to play! Yesterday, I met Branden before his first round play - he was relaxed and ready for more. That attitude carried through as he opened with a very solid 68 - five under par! Today, he'll be in the last pairing - from Branden who...to Branden, may I have your autograph! 17 South Africans will carry tour cards onto the European Tour this year – the most ever! |
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Watch the boys from the Southern Cape…on both sides of the big pond…there is more to come.
I am proud to call Branden and Louis my friends – the way they carry themselves on and off the course…they’ll have friends (and fans) worldwide!
The EP Amateur!
By the way, we will be hosting the EP Amateur next weekend, the 28th and 29th of January. Come and watch the 36-hole stroke play on Saturday (course closed) and the Matchplay starting on Sunday. We have secured space and special rates at SFBGC if you need you golfing fix on Saturday. Thanks, in advance for your support.
Cheers for now! I am off for a day at the Volvo!
PS: SF Links Resident’s – Join us on Monday in Jack’s Bar for our first “Resident’s Club” evening, starting at 5pm!
I am proud to call Branden and Louis my friends – the way they carry themselves on and off the course…they’ll have friends (and fans) worldwide!
The EP Amateur!
By the way, we will be hosting the EP Amateur next weekend, the 28th and 29th of January. Come and watch the 36-hole stroke play on Saturday (course closed) and the Matchplay starting on Sunday. We have secured space and special rates at SFBGC if you need you golfing fix on Saturday. Thanks, in advance for your support.
Cheers for now! I am off for a day at the Volvo!
PS: SF Links Resident’s – Join us on Monday in Jack’s Bar for our first “Resident’s Club” evening, starting at 5pm!
Regards,
Jeff
Jeff
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