The deck and Terrace Bar are looking superb. The food coming out of the kitchen is as good as you will find anywhere in the valley and it is a pity that there are still those members out there who are complaining even though they have not sampled the fare since Pierre and his team have revitalised the menu. I hope that you will come and sample the weekly specials or have a lunch surrounded by our magnificent mountains. Then there is the Playa’s Bar which is supported by a group of regulars on a Friday evening for sundowners. Would be great to see more of you there. A setting you will be hard pressed to find anywhere elase in South Africa.
What more can I say about the magnificent work Greg Leckie and his team have done for us. The course is at its very best and all this with the worst drought in history on us. All too often we become so blaze about the condition of Erinvale and it takes an outsider to make us realise just how priviledged we are. Here is an extract from a recent group of Canadians who travelled the country playing many golf courses.
“As Malcolm Moore says – ranking a golf course is like picking the prettiest girl at a beauty contest – they are ALL fabulous. Forced to make choices and disregarding costs, of all the courses we played, Shirley and I independently chose Fancourt, Pezula and Erinvale as our top 3. Everyone loved our day at Erinvale. Perfect challenging members club where you feel you might put up a decent score but rarely do. In terms of conditions – probably the best we played. Food, service all good. I have absolutely no thoughts on how that day could be improved. I would advise any future travellers that our top 3 are MUST plays for anyone going to the Cape.”
It is reports like this that make me very proud and honoured to be a member and Captain of Erinvale. I am also very proud of the wotk and effort our entire staff puts into making our club the jewel of the Cape.
What a day both on and off the golf course. The day started out with beautiful weather but as usual the South Easter came roaring in for the afternoon field. We had a full field and thanks to all our members who played on the day to make it special seeing it is our last major of the year. It was my pleasure to host a group of our past captains who we owe a huge debt of gratitude to for guiding Erinvale over the last 22 years. Here they are pictured below.
Frank Mc Donogh, Dean Milbank, Chris Hart, Errol Ferriman,
Tom Martin , Keith Colley & Mike Reeves
We had prizegiving upstairs and that was followed by some live entertainment. The three-course meal was fantastic and a good night was had by all.
A huge vote of thanks to Talli De Wet who sponsored a very special prize for the winner, a portrait to be painted by herself. For those of you who saw the “Faces of Erinvale” that she had in the reception area on the day, her work is exceptional. Pictured below is an example of her work for those who were not there.
Keith Colley, Colin Sturgeon & Dean Milbank
Brad & Taylor Manson
We had our inaugural Chef’s Table on the evening of 21 December. While the number of people attending was disappointing, due to some late cancellations, In the end we had a long table of ten members attending and it was a magnificent evening. The idea behind this is that each of our chefs get to design a course and present it to the table on the night. So, a five-course menu was at the order of the evening. We also recommended wines to go with each course and all decided to try the recommendation.
Following on this success there will be more to come. Please note that to prepare food like this takes time and dedication so the numbers will be limited. The idea is to have no more than thirty people attend on any one night so be sure to book early when the next notice goes out. Congratulations to all our chefs on a superb evening and again, the food will be as good as you will find in any restaurant in Somerset West. Below are photographs of each course to whet your appetite.
1st Course - Guinea Fowl Consommé
2nd Course - Crayfish & Salmon
3rd Course - Pork Fillet
4th Course - Beef Fillet
5th Course - Raspberry Mousse
I want to leave you with the following and for those who have been here a long time will have heard Johan Piek say it often.
“Play the course as you find it; play the ball as it lies. If you can’t do either then play fair. In order to play fair, you need to know the rules of golf.”
Golf is probably the last sport with there is some self discipline and etiquette left and the rules are there to guide you through this journey. If in doubt ask or play two balls and confirm later. Let us all protect the standards of this great game so that we all can enjoy it.
On that note all that remains is for me to wish you and your families a happy New Year celebration and look forward to seeing you in the club or on the golf course in 2018.
Happy New Year
Goeie Nuwe Jaar
Gutes Neues Jahr
Dean
