We enter the first week of December and Xmas is just around the corner, and it is this time of the year I like to make you aware of a couple of things. 

Firstly, the perennially popular Personalised Golf Balls offer from Titleist, has a final order date which is looming (Wednesday, 9 December), so please get your orders in soon. 

Click here to find out more or to place your order.


Secondly, if you do receive vouchers from another golf store for Xmas, or any other time of year (by mistake of course), please bring them in and redeem them in the shop at the club. It is an old saying, but 'golfers who know, buy from there pro' bringing your vouchers in supports our operation at the club and as ever you will still receive the best advice and price.


 

It was an on form John Rothwell who took the Midweek Stableford played over the East course last Thursday. His total of 38pts saw him take the top spot ahead of Don Harrington who shot 37pts, with Phil Baines in third place having shot 36pts. 

It must have been a serious case of 'ham and egging it' for Michael Pooke & Nathan Smith who took the Turkey Trot with an outstanding 47pts in the Fourball Betterball format. In their wake was Richard Tomlin & John Reeves taking the runner-up spot on countback with 43pts. In third place was Peter Young & Dave Simpson. 

Kim Morris took the Ladies Stableford with 33pts from Ingrid Long who was the runner-up having shot 31pts with Christine McGarry third with 29pts.


 

The Nedbank Golf Challenge features a limited field of just 30 players. Defending champion Danny Willett will tee it up together with a selection of European and international stars. Last week's winner Charl Schwartzel is on the start sheet, so too are Henrik Stenson, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Victor Dubuisson. 

First played in 1981, the Nedbank Challenge can boast an incredible roll call of champions. Johnny Miller won the inaugural event and Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen and Martin Kaymer have all been winners. Last season Danny Willett took the title after an impressive final round of 66. He finished four clear of Ross Fisher with 54-hole leader Luke Donald in third. 

It was an important win for Willett. It gave him a healthy lead on the Race to Dubai rankings and provided him the platform to challenge for the Race to Dubai title right up to the final day at Jumeirah Golf Estates two weeks ago. It will be a lucrative week for all those on the start sheet. The winner picks up $1,250,000 and even the man who finishes dead last, in 30th place, will walk away with a cheque for $100,000. 

The course at the Gary Player Country Club opened for play back in 1979. It's a long and challenging track offering spectacular views of the Pilanesberg Mountains. 

This event appears twice on the 2016 Race to Dubai. Not only is it part of the early schedule this week but it's also a feature of the Final Series towards the end of 2016. The 2016 Nedbank Golf Championship will take place next November, the week before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. For that event the field will be increased from 30 to 72 players. 

The weather forecast for Sun City is, surprisingly not fully for sun. Rain could be a problem on Thursday and Friday. One thing is certain though - it's going to be hot. Temperatures of up to 37° are predicted.


Player watch: 

Matthew Fitzpatrick - The young English player had a brilliant debut season on the European Tour, earning over €2 million. He notched up 10 top-10 finishes, including victory in the British Masters. Look for him to continue to progress this year. 

Kiradech Aphibarnrat - He's been on great form over the last couple of months with three top five finishes on the European Tour. He was fifth in this event last year. 

Ross Fisher - The Englishman was runner-up in this event last year and he has the game for this course. He was tied third in the recent WGC-HSBC Champions so he's been showing good form.

Click here to stay up to date with all of the action.