We ended 2010 with a bang and started the New Year with just as big a one with Louis Oosthuizen triumphing in East London at the Africa Open.

It was Louis’ first win since The Open Championship at St.Andrews and he did it in the style that has become a trademark of his game.

Louis knocked in a 20-footer at the first extra hole of a sudden death play-off to deny Spain’s Manuel Quiros and ISM stablemate Chris Wood.

It was proof that all Louis’ injury problems are behind him and also an indication that we could be heading towards our best ever year.

Chris was first to congratulate Louis on his win which was another nice touch given that he must have been very disappointed at missing out on his first European Tour victory.  It will not be long in coming.

We had no fewer than four ISM players in the top 10 with Charl Schwartzel ending just one shot out of the play-off in fourth place while Branden Grace recorded a very commendable 8th, a finish which should give him no end of encouragement.

A special mention now for Darren Clarke, whose new campaign started with a 26th place finish.   I can’t help thinking that 2011 will be one of his best years, all the more so since he has found total happiness in his private life with the announcement of his engagement to Alison Campbell.   Congratulations to you both.

Now I’m off to the Middle East and South Africa and hopefully I will have mastered the intricacies of Twitter as this social phenomenon gathers impetus within ISM.  Who knows, very soon I may have as many followers as Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy.  In the mean time thanks to the 34 followers I have so far attracted.