the month AUGUST 2013
THE PEARL VALLEY
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
PEARL VALLEY GOLF ESTATES
e e fr py co
the month
WELCOME TO PEARL VALLEY
Dear Residents and Visitors to Pearl Valley, Welcome to the August edition of The Pearl Valley Month. This month we focus on women as we celebrate Women’s Day. On 9 August 1956, 20 000 women of all ages and races staged a march to the Union Building in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950. They left bundles of petitions containing more than 100 000 signatures at Prime Minister J.G. Strijdom’s office. Outside they stood silently for 30 minutes. The women then sang a protest song especially written for the occasion. In the last 54 years since the march the phrase, ‘you strike a women, you strike a rock’ has come to represent all women in South Africa. Although the rise of women and the recognition of their talents in the business world has been slow, I believe that, in South Africa, we are finally starting to receive the recognition we so deserve. No doubt we still have a long way to go, but the progress made thus far is motivating. Much to our delight this progress is also being made in the golfing world. It’s no secret that golf hasn’t done much for gender equality. In fact many believe that the word golf itself is an acronym for ‘gentlemen only,
ladies forbidden’. Although this isn’t the case, at times, it wasn’t far from the truth. After all, for long parts of its history, golf was a sport dominated by men and rarely played by women, even after women began playing golf in greater numbers, many golf clubs and courses restricted or even banned membership by women golfers. Organisations like Women’s Golf South Africa (WGSA), and their many partners, have done remarkably well in changing the face of golf and ensuring that women golfers are given the recognition they so deserve. They are extremely active in promoting junior and senior women’s golf in South Africa and have been doing so since 1914. We still have a way to go, but it’s well worth the effort, Lee Ann Pace’s win at the Spanish Open in July is evidence of this! I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our female residents and visitors a wonderful August. Let’s honour those 20 000 women who marched to the Union Building by ensuring that we are never afraid to speak our minds or fight for what we justly deserve. Happy Women’s Day!
Bianca
WHY ADVERTISE IN ‘THE MONTH’? The Team
THE MONTH NOW OFFERS BRAND-SPECIFIC ‘WRAPS’
Editor: Brett Garn er 083 2600 453 brett@themonth.co .za
The Month offers businesses, areas & nodes brand-specific ‘wraps’ to house The Month’s editorial as well as advertising pages. This unique concept offers businesses the privilege of taking ‘ownership’ of the publication and the ability to distribute copies directly to clients or distribution points of choice.
the month
the month Never a dull momeNt; thaNks to the moNth aNd the WiNelaNds!
TM_JULY GENERIC.indd 1
the oesfees enjoyed where wine is
printed on recycled paper
Design by Tricky T design@trickyt.co.za
printed on recycled paper
CONTRIBUTORS: Reviews: Jim Waite jim@themonth.co.za Finance: Feiran Gr iede feiran@themonth.co .za
ee fr py co
ee fr py co
2013/06/25 3:26 PM
SD Oesf 2013 TheMonth-3.indd 1 TM_MARCH oesfees.indd 1
GO TO THEMONTH.CO.ZA AND BOOK YOUR AD NOW! AUGUST 2013
Marketing & Adve rtising Laurentia Barnard 083 306 9929 adver tising@themo nth.co.za laurentia@themonth .co.za
MARCH 2013
JULY 2013
enjoyed where wine is
Publisher: David Foster Capvest Holdings CC 084 827 3986 david@themonth.co .za
2013/02/19 7:38 AM
2013/02/26 12:46 PM
www.themonth.co .za Also join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitt er at The_Month
the month
PEARL VALLEY PROPERTIES
PEARL VALLEY UPGRADES DRIVING RANGE
P
earl Valley Golf Estates is upgrading its driving range, allowing for the largest and most impressive practice facility in the country. To ensure consistently pristine conditions, and an extended area, the upgrade will not only double the area available to accommodate larger groups but will guarantee an optimal surface for practice throughout the year. Once completed the upgraded range will be approximately 5200m². The extended range will be seeded with bentgrass, a creeping variety, ensuring a consistently outstanding playing surface. The new grass will also significantly minimise recovery and maintenance periods. Currently heralded as one of the best ranges in South Africa, the upgrade stands to improve the already excellent offering of the Estate in which players and members enjoy an unsurpassed golfing experience.
ASKING PRICE:
R7.95M
Beautiful four bedroom North-facing home with well established garden and glorious mountain views, the perfect family home!
ASKING PRICE:
R4.5M
Gorgeous 4 bedroom lakeside home with incredible views, a piece of paradise!
Conveniently situated in the Clubhouse, our experienced agents will help you find your dream home. For more information please contact us on 021 867 8000 or at properties@pearlvalley.co.za or visit us at www.pearlvalley.co.za
BREATHE SPA CELEBRATES WOMEN’S MONTH!
To help you take some time out this Women’s Month and just breathe, Breathe Spa & Hair Salon is treating each reader of The Pearl Valley Month to a 15% discount off a treatment of their choice. All you need to do is cut out this voucher and bring it with you to your appointment. Please call 021 867 8001 or email wellness@pearlvalley.co.za for more information or to make an appointment.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PRACTICE SESSIONS
By resident PGA Professional WP Botha
No results for the time spent on the range?? Have you ever wondered why you are a great golfer on the driving range but when you step onto the first tee your game falls apart? It’s probably because you’re practicing to be great on the driving range and not preparing for a round of golf. Think about your last round - did you hit two of the exact same shots in a row? Most golfers train with ‘blocked practice’, meaning they perform one skill over and over until they can do it without much thought.
How do you take your game to the course? Change your practice routine!
YOUR 45 MINUTE RANGE SESSION Here are some tips to get the most out of your practice sessions. If you’re working on technical aspects of your swing instead of a general practice session, give the skill some time to fade from your memory by taking a 60 second break between shots. 1. FULL SWING 15 MINUTES Vary as many things as you can from ball to ball, including club selection, target, shot shape, etc. Even if you don’t execute the shot, move on to another scenario. Just make a note to try it again later. 2. AROUND THE GREEN 15 MINUTES Avoid practicing from ideal conditions, and alternate among chips, pitches and bunker shots. Set up unusual lies to keep your brain in problem-solving mode. If you don’t have to think about how to play the shot, change it up. “I don’t practice the same shot more than two or three times in a row” Luke Donald, one of the best short games in golf. 3. PUTTING 15 MINUTES Practice with only one ball, trying to hole it with each successive putt. Once you make it, move to a new spot on the green, and restart the process from a different distance and slope. Remember: Roughly half of your strokes come within 50m of the green. That means you probably should spend more than half of your practice time with your wedges and putter.
By Landscaping Manager Ruan Du Plessis
Chase away the winter blues with a fresh and zesty arrangement! YOU’LL NEED: • • • • • • • 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
3 Strelitzia flowers A few branches Schefflera or any other filler leaf 1 Block oasis soaked in water 5 -7 oranges Black sticks Square vase Secateurs Place your oasis in the middle of your vase. Cut the oranges in half and arrange around the oasis. Add the three Strelitzias. Use the Schefflera leaves in a ring around the base of the Strelitzias. Arrange black sticks in between the flowers. Add water
Voila, warming up a dark corner has never been easier!
THE MONTH
SOCIAL
the month
RIDING’S HEALING RHYTHM AT PEARL VALLEY EQUESTRIAN CENTRE Although we do not advertise our equestrian centre as a therapeutic riding facility, we have noticed an increase in children attending the school based on recommendations from occupational therapists. More and more therapists are acknowledging the benefit of horse riding, as it encourages vestibular stimulation and combined with specific exercises is able to: • • • • • • • •
Improve poor muscle tone and strength Increase joint mobility and range of motion Increase general balance Increase attention and concentration spans Broaden the skills base through increased spatial and body awareness Assist with the development of self-confidence and motivation Assist in developing the ability to organize and perform tasks in sequence Improve the stimulation of the tactile system.
Equine assisted therapy is by no means a new concept. In fact it is well known that it assists with the physical, social and psychological development in people, particularly adolescents. Physically, horse riding improves muscle tone, balance and co-ordination. The very nature of any equestrian pursuit encourages children to be active and outdoors in the fresh air, which in itself is hugely beneficial. Emotionally, being around horses and having to control such a large animal, requires significant patience, understanding and confidence. Unlike interacting with humans, horses simply react to physical and psychological pressure. They don’t have ulterior motives and their behavior cannot be controlled by brute strength alone.
At the Pearl Valley Equestrian Centre our candidate teachers and students are all trained in the handling and instructing of children and teenagers on horseback with the primary focus being safety, fun and improved physical and emotional skills. For young children to get the full benefit of their time, and given that the concentration span of an average 5 year old peaks at 15mins, we limit the riding session to a maximum of 30 minutes. In this way our young riders benefit not only mentally but their bodies are responsive and strong enough to carry out the exercises given in these sessions. Riding sessions for those who have not yet developed an independent seat are carried out in an enclosed round arena with the pony attached to a lunge line. Once or twice a month an out-walk will be included after the lesson, and the rider gets to enjoy the feeling of walking outside the arena, with the instructor walking along side. On days where the weather isn’t suitable for riding, pupils are encouraged to attend a dismounted lesson. Here they will spend time in a stable with the teacher, a handler and the pony. They will learn how to approach, handle, groom and clean their pony’s feet. As well as learning pony colours and markings, and parts of the saddle and bridle. This helps to improve concentration as well as foster better understanding and love for these remarkable creatures. The therapeutic value of horse riding was described by Hippocrates as “The Riding’s Healing Rhythm”. For more information or to make a booking please contact Rosemary on 072 247 2929.
FIVE YEARS AT PEARL VALLEY!! Pearl Valley recently celebrated all staff that have been with us for five years. Here they are receiving their awards from General Manager, Gawie Marx. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work and dedication.
AUGUST 2013