Seen at the celebration to commemorate Nelson Mandela's release from Groot Drakenstein correctional facility (the former Victor Verster maximum security prison near Simondium, between Franschhoek and Paarl) on 11 Feb 2010:
Feb 11, 2010
Past, President, Future?
Seen at the celebration to commemorate Nelson Mandela's release from Groot Drakenstein correctional facility (the former Victor Verster maximum security prison near Simondium, between Franschhoek and Paarl) on 11 Feb 2010:
Jan 30, 2010
Pearl Valley - the Real Winner
Scotland´s Richie Ramsay held his nerve in a sudden-death play-off with Shiv Kapur from India to win the 99th South African Open Championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates in the Franschhoek valley in December.On a day when any one of the top 12 players on the overnight leader-board could have won the second oldest national Open in golf, it was the 2006 US Amateur champion who closed out his first European Tour title at the first play-off hole, becoming only the seventh foreigner and first Scotsman to win this title.
An emotional Ramsay explained how he couldn’t put a price on the win. “To see my name up there with all those great names, like Gary Player and Ernie Els, it’s a lot to take in. It’s a huge honour to win South Africa’s national Open and it will open a lot of doors for me.”
Ramsay had made a strong start to the tournament with an opening 67, but a 75 in round two saw him fade from contention. He fought back with a third round 68 and began the final round three off the pace from overnight leader Pablo Martin on 11-under. “I talk about the power of positive thinking,” said Ramsay. “I didn’t think about a low round. I just picked a shot and went for it. It was a day to play fearless golf.”
Ramsay’s fearless approach delivered a bogey free seven-under-par 65 to set the clubhouse target at 13-under-par 275 and tie Kapur, playing two matches behind. Kapur, with a single bogey on his card, failed to capitalize on a spectacular chip shot at the last when he missed an eight-foot putt that would have given him the win. In the play-off, both players missed the fairway with their drives but Ramsay hit a superb three-wood second, from 260 yards, to within 15 feet, with Kapur barely managing to punch out into the rough. This left the way clear for Ramsay, who pushed his first putt just short of the hole and had a formality tap-in to seal the victory.
“If you’ve got two putts to win, you take them,” said Ramsay, who also predicts that Kapur will win soon on the European Tour. “He played some unbelievable golf there; a very steady golfer. He will become a very tough opponent in the next couple of years.”
The smile stayed, but the magic disappeared for Spain’s Pablo Martin who, although clearly enjoying himself out there, struggled to a one-over-par 73 and a tie for sixth on 10-under-par
278 with Darren Fichardt, the top performing South African on the day, who carded a 66.
The 2009 event was the final staging of the SA Open by Pearl Valley. The past three year’s professional and successful hosting is not only a feather in the cap of Pearl Valley Estates but
for the valley as a whole. Jack Hrad, GM-Operations, said “Members and Owners of Pearl Valley have been very proud to host the event and appreciated the praises of Tour Professionals and organizers for the entire experience - the golf course, the estate, the organization, the enthusiastic crowds, and the off-course enjoyment of the Franschhoek valley and all that it
has to offer. Many players, experiencing the valley for the first time, loved it and expressed disappointment only that they would not be here together again soon.”
The Championship will return to Durban Country Club for its centenary edition in December 2010.
1st Franschhoek Vendange Festival
Franschhoek Vendange Festival - 13 March 2010.
This boutique event offers wine aficionados and budding vintners a chance to experience the magic of harvest for a day – without having to quit their day jobs!
Imagine a day in the vineyards of your favourite Wine farm, learning the art of wine making directly from the wine maker and their team, ending with a Town-wide Party with live music and a feast table prepared by Franschhoeks top chefs, this is not to be missed…
Franschhoek welcomes our very first Franschhoek Vendange Festival 2010!
Guests will enjoy a day of Grape Picking, Bunch Sorting, Grape vs. Wine Tasting, Vineyard Tractor Trips, Must tasting & lots more at the farm of their choice and then off to Franschhoek Town Centre to end off an experience like no other. Come and enjoy the Festive Vendange (Harvest) Dinner with grape stomping, a feast table prepared by our famous local chefs, live Music, dancing and lots of wine… what a way to experience another Great Franschhoek Adventure.
Groups are small and intimate to ensure that you have the very best hands-on experience, all harvests need to be pre-booked by February 2010, you will book via your favourite wine farm where you will begin your day, the party will then move to the town centre where you will end off with a dinner.
This is a perfect opportunity for a family break away weekend.
The following farms will be participating:
L’Ormarins | 021 874 900 | |
| Glenwood | 021 876 2044 | |
| Cabriere Estate | 021 876 8500 | |
| Grahambeck Wines | 021 874 1258 | |
| Vrede & Lust | 021 874 1611 | |
| Rickety Bridge | 021 876 2129 | |
| Mont Rochelle | 021 876 2770 | |
| Boekenhoutskloof | 021 876 3320 | |
| Grande Provence | 021 876 8600 |
Dinner party:
Otherwise join us for the Dinner Party starting at 16h00. R550 per person (all food, wine, beverages, entertainment, grape stomping etc. inclusive).
Book: Carmen 021 8762861 office@franschhoek.org.za
Jan 11, 2010
Work begins at 'Old Pick n Pay' site
The back of the old Pick n Pay building/Senqu/Build It is being demolished. Plans for the new development should be online soon.
Jan 6, 2010
Jan 4, 2010
Waiting for Change
Looking down at myself in the shower recently I wondered why it is that errors of perspective are limited to my stomach and feet.Knowing that my wife, the fitness junkie, would try to explain it with a lengthy treatise on the benefits of exercise to body, mind and eyes, I decided to recommit myself to an outdoor pursuit for the Christmas and New Year break. Tiger Woods’ headline grabbing love-life troubles and the excitement in the valley surrounding the SA Golf Open were incentive enough to give attention to my sadly underutilised driver. So I headed off to Val de Vie, hoping to catch glimpse of Richard Sterne (or at least his beautiful new wife who was pictured in the December edition of The Month). The driving range was deserted, save for someone walking a horse. As I couldn’t find anyone to hire a bucket of balls from, I took the handful I keep for mulligans and, after a short warm up, hit all three straight and true, at right angles to my intended direction. The horse walker changed into a rider and in no time bore down on me shouting “Fore. Luck sakes, man!” or something similar. “This is a polo field, bugger off!” I did.
The Magic of Bubbles created quite a stir in the family. In-laws, Jenny and Charles rushed down from ‘Josie’ to share in the (locals only?) Friday night introduction to this year’s incarnation. She has J-Lo’s posterior and he has the ears of a certain prince. “Should we take the nanny, Mable?” I asked, “The theme is white with a touch of black.” The junkie shuddered as she often does when I open my mouth in public and fastened a black scarf around her waist. “There,” she said, “white with a tush of black.” Later I heard the word ‘ass’ and assumed she was referring to her own.
The financial consequences of buying scalped World Cup tickets hit me with a thud while tucking in to a second helping of Christmas pud. Fortunately our lavish festivities were hosted by our equally lavish neighbours and I was able to pocket a large number of five rand coins towards the cost. It helped that the kids were all in the pool at the time that their bowls were set out, giving me ample time to dig carefully through the fruit mince and sherry without being discovered. The party was catered for by an ex-convict made good, who now cooks for the rich and famous. Making small talk I asked: “So did you ever think you’d leave prison as a chef?” He replied, “It wasn’t really a surprise, I’ve always been good with knives.”
-Jim Waite
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