The Links is being readied for the PGA Championship from November 21-24, its fourth year in St Francis. The course always proves one of the most challenging the Sunshine Tour players will experience, with the weather playing a big part. A typical week at this time of year includes manageable breezes, calm mornings, gale-force winds and rain. Had a bit of all four during my round, and the changing elements are very much a part of the Eastern Cape golf experience. The estate component of St Francis Links is flourishing, with many additional houses since my last visit. This obviously means unwary new residents have often built their dream home in the line of fire from a tee. Changes have been made to the 11th hole due to houses right of the fairway coming into play. A new club tee has been built further forward and right of the back tee, and bush cut back left of the fairway, to encourage golfers to play down the left side of this impressive par 4. It’s made it a better hole for the average golfer, although they still have to clear a pair of fairway bunkers on the left.