We had a wonderful time with friends and family over the festive period and really the two-and-a-bit weeks that we had there did, as usual, fly by in a flash.
The first day we arrived in South Africa in mid-December it was a pleasure paying a visit to the beautiful setting of the Ernie Els Winery, to catch-up with the team and congratulate them on another outstanding year. When I’m on the road I stay in regular contact with Louis Strydom, the head winemaker and managing director, but when the opportunity allows obviously it’s great to be able to visit in person. It gives Louis and me a chance to sit down and have a proper chat about the direction of this year’s vintage and the plans for the business as a whole. Louis naturally guides me on what he’s looking to achieve stylistically, but it’s important for me to give my input, too.
After that visit, it was a case of spending time with the family and re-charging the batteries. There was also plenty of social golf with friends and, of course, a Braai virtually every night! It was perfect. Being in Herold’s Bay, probably my favourite place in the world, means it’s always hard to leave. But it’s the South African Open this week and that’s something that all of us home players can really look forward to.
This year’s event is even more special for me, as I’ll be playing the role of host and ambassador, which is a great honour and one that I accepted without hesitation. With this new role comes some additional off-course commitments, which is absolutely fine. Working with the Sunshine Tour and the rest of the South African players, we want to try to grow this tournament so that it can once again take its rightful place among the most prestigious tournaments in world golf. The South African Open has an amazing history and we’re confident of a wonderful future, too.
Also this week, Glendower and the Els for Autism team will be hosting another of the #GameON autism clinics on Thursday, which I’m looking forward to attending. It’s amazing seeing the feedback from the kids and the smiles on their faces. Being active in golf and having fun; that’s what the #GameON autism clinics are all about and they’ve been incredibly successful in the US. We recently introduced them here in South Africa and actually Glendower very generously hosted the first ever clinic back in November. We thank them for their continued support.
Thanks also to everyone at the Sunshine Tour, European Tour, South African Open, and to the tournament sponsors, for making Els for Autism and the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation the beneficiary charities of this week’s tournament.
Of course, the main priority for me this week is still as a competitor. Having played so much social golf these past two weeks my game feels pretty sharp and Glendower is a beautiful old parkland course with a nicely balanced risk-reward flavour. It’s good to be back here. I’m so proud of my five wins in this wonderful championship and would dearly love to add a sixth title to my resume. It’s amazing when you think that Bobby Locke won our national championship nine times and Gary Player won it 13 times, in Gary’s case over a 25-year period between 1956 and 1981. That’s impressive.
That’s about it for now. Remember you can follow me on Twitter @TheBig_Easy. On that note, congratulations to all the winners of our South African Open VIP ticket giveaway competition. We hope you have a wonderful day out.
All that remains is to wish you all a happy New Year full of love and good health.
