Encore!
Ok…we can handle a little encore from our “homeboy”!
Maybe it’s the fact that Fancourt Links played host to the President’s Cup – and we all remember how that ended! Maybe it was the Ernie – Retief “Shoot-Out” for the SA Open title on the same turf; maybe it’s the fact that I have had the pleasure of playing Fancourt Links on a number of occasions that makes me appreciate the great golf shots we witnessed and the difficult recovery shots that were required to survive. No one was going to play flawless golf there this past weekend – no one did. But, having said that, the tournament at Fancourt Links was filled with great shots and even better recoveries. Watching the Jo-Burg Open two weeks ago, left me tense. However, I had a different feeling watching the finish this week – last week Branden Grace was playing for his golfing future with only the golf course standing between him and his first European Tour victory.
Last Sunday, his closest rival was in the clubhouse one shot behind him with Branden still looking at nine holes to play. The others all fell away, one by one, as the nine progressed. Branden’s main rival for the last two hours was par itself. He managed his own game and the course, holing out on the last for par (nine pars). It was a bit hard to watch as he nailed shot after shot at the flag, only to see every putt for birdie slide away…never mind, history was made and he had his place in it.
This week, I had the opportunity to watch a day’s play at the Links, enjoyed talking to old friends and professionals, too. Now, you understand that this was an incredibly hard tournament to pick my favourite – Ernie and I go way, way back and I want him winning his way into the Masters. Retief needs the same results to get there as well. My first ‘junior’ champion, Louis, could make the welcoming of his second child even more pleasant with his second win of the year. Thomas Aiken came to Simola with his parents and some other juniors when he was about thirteen and has gone out of his way to greet me and Liezl ever since (nice haircut, T). Then, on Thursday morning, there was Branden sitting with my former head Professional, Peter Berman, who has been a friend and coach for 10 years. Branden was in a good place, mentally strong and ready to tee it up against 35 of the best players the European tour could put up. Ernie was teeing it up on a course he has played plenty of times, Retief and Branden too!
This week, I had the opportunity to watch a day’s play at the Links, enjoyed talking to old friends and professionals, too. Now, you understand that this was an incredibly hard tournament to pick my favourite – Ernie and I go way, way back and I want him winning his way into the Masters. Retief needs the same results to get there as well. My first ‘junior’ champion, Louis, could make the welcoming of his second child even more pleasant with his second win of the year. Thomas Aiken came to Simola with his parents and some other juniors when he was about thirteen and has gone out of his way to greet me and Liezl ever since (nice haircut, T). Then, on Thursday morning, there was Branden sitting with my former head Professional, Peter Berman, who has been a friend and coach for 10 years. Branden was in a good place, mentally strong and ready to tee it up against 35 of the best players the European tour could put up. Ernie was teeing it up on a course he has played plenty of times, Retief and Branden too!
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Who could’ve promoted a more storybook finish than to have those three standing on the 18th together, playing off for the title? What amazed me was that I, for a change, wasn’t nervous watching. All three would be worthy in my books. But what amazed me was how calm Branden appeared to be. He led off and ripped it right up the gut of the 18th – not an easy driving hole as the tee sits about fifty feet below the lading area. Well, if you didn’t see what happened after that, then you could only have been watching cricket. Branden’s win with his idols flanking him like bookends on the green, was one for the memory books. As my friend, Meyer and “Amazing Grace” fan Club lost a few more “brain cells” celebrating at Mo’s in Knysna, Branden was sipping a “cool-drink” thinking about this week’s tournament in Abu Dhabi! Can anyone say – 3 in a row! |
>From 172 to 161 to 92nd in the world…Hey, I may be seeing you in April, Pards!
Master’s Watch – Retief is back in the top 50 and Ernie jumped back from 71st to 57th; they’ll need to win in America or stay in the top 50 to drive down Magnolia Lane again.
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Charl and Trevor return as former Champions, Louis will return as an Open Champion in the last five years. Ernie, Retief, Rory (62nd), Thomas (79th), Georgie Coetzee (82nd), Jaco Van Zyl (83nd) and Branden (92nd) will all have to keep the magic in their swings to tee it up at Augusta in April.
EP Champs This Weekend And Next!
The best amateur golfers in the Eastern Cape will tee it up here again on Saturday as we host the EP Championships. Starting at 6h10 on Saturday morning, 70 golfers will be trying to first, win the 36 hole Medal Play competition and then, qualify for the Match play event that follows. The low 32 from the medal play will make up the top bracket of the match play (which will begin on Sunday morning) and the next 16 top scorers will play in the Plate (which will pair them against the first losers from the morning 32). The eight winners from Sunday afternoon’s matches (from the main draw and the plate) will move on to the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Saturday, 4 February. The finals for the main draw and the plate will take place on Monday, the 5th. Come and watch if you can! If you would like to play at The Bay course, member rates will apply for the weekend (R110). Please let us know if we can be of assistance by clicking here.
| Be My Valentine! Join us at the Links for Golf with your special friends – Couples or Mixed. Click Here for details on this special day of golf. Pssst…We are having a special evening with great food, romantic atmosphere and live entertainment for listening and dancing – Click Here for details about our special evening at the Links. Hey, I have an even better idea – if you are travelling in for the day and night, why not stay in one of our member-owned properties on or off the estate – PERRRRRRFECT idea! Give us a call or click here. |
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The “Resident’s Club”!
We had a great turn-out in Jack’s Bar on Monday night to introduce new members, share ideas and get to know each other better. We did it the old-fashioned way by having everyone stand and introduce themselves, sharing a tidbit or two and a bit of history. It was nice to include the long-term renters as well. Everyone stayed on well after the happy hour, many carrying on to dinner that was once again, fully subscribed – this time with 110 in attendance. We discussed upcoming golfing and club events, estate and Leisure Centre rules, our good run of real estate sales, the holiday season and more. Thank you to all who participated. See you all again next month!
Upcoming Events…
January 28/29 EP Championships (course closed)
February 4/5 EP Championships (course open)
February 8 OPEN Wednesday – Special rates and prizes
February 10 Practice round for the Golf Digest Subscriber’s Challenge – special rates for golf and accommodation
February 11 Golf Digest Subscriber’s Challenge
February 14 Valentine’s Day Golf and Dinner functions
February 17 Wings and Wishes Golf Day (Private Day – fully booked)
Regards,
Jeff
We had a great turn-out in Jack’s Bar on Monday night to introduce new members, share ideas and get to know each other better. We did it the old-fashioned way by having everyone stand and introduce themselves, sharing a tidbit or two and a bit of history. It was nice to include the long-term renters as well. Everyone stayed on well after the happy hour, many carrying on to dinner that was once again, fully subscribed – this time with 110 in attendance. We discussed upcoming golfing and club events, estate and Leisure Centre rules, our good run of real estate sales, the holiday season and more. Thank you to all who participated. See you all again next month!
Upcoming Events…
January 28/29 EP Championships (course closed)
February 4/5 EP Championships (course open)
February 8 OPEN Wednesday – Special rates and prizes
February 10 Practice round for the Golf Digest Subscriber’s Challenge – special rates for golf and accommodation
February 11 Golf Digest Subscriber’s Challenge
February 14 Valentine’s Day Golf and Dinner functions
February 17 Wings and Wishes Golf Day (Private Day – fully booked)
Regards,
Jeff
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