South African golf

[Philip Gawith]

For those interested in getting a better feel for what golf is available in South Africa, where you find it, what it costs, quite a useful directory exists.

You can either buy a hard copy for R120 ($18) or visit the website - www.sagolfdirectory.co.za. It is a pretty comprehensive list and directs you through, in many cases, to the club's own website.

Separately: the South African edition of Golf Digest published an article in their October edition about the state of the game in SA. A few factoids that emerged:

- number of courses has increased from about 415 in 1998 to 450 today.
- there have been 27 totally new 18-hole courses opened in SA since 1995. 22 of these are part of golf estates. Another 10 existing courses have been converted wholly or partially into estates.
- only one of the 27 courses was specifically built as a public course.
- Gary Player designed 10 of these courses, Peter Matkovich 6, Jack Nicklaus 3.
- since 98 number of registered golfers has increased from 102 000 to 140 000, largely attributable to juniors, women and growth of black middle class.
- this represents 0.3% of the 45m population.
- since 2000 the number of registered women golfers has increased by 43% to 16,800
- green fees have risen dramatically over the past decade. The magazine reckons you used to be able to buy 2-4 golf balls with an average green fee, now you can buy a box of balls. In the case of Fancourt, fees have gone up 500%.

[Philip Gawith]

Not that I know of - I think a detribalised South African living in London (aka me ) is the closest we get.

[ed_getka]

Philip,
  How many golf courses exist in RSA that would be worthy of building a golf trip around?
   How would you rank various countries as a golf destination, choosing among: US, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, RSA?
    Any plans to come over for some golf in the coming year?
    How is the planning coming for the GCA Ryder Cup for next year? I have it in mind, and hope to be able to make it over.

[Joel_Stewart]

Jack Nicklaus has several projects going in SA with 2 or 3 in conjunction with Ernie Els.  Last week he spoke of an amazing site with 100 feet high sand dunes which he is bidding or has secured.

[Philip Gawith]

Ed - good to hear from you!  At least not everyone is off eating the Thanksgiving turkey.

1 - I have been living out of SA for nearly 12 years, although I return every year. I mention this just to caveat the fact that I am not 100% up to speed with all recent developments.

 SA never had a 1926 Mackenzie visit, although it did benefit (my knowledge is skimpy) from Hodgkin doing some courses there. Accordingly, I don't think it has the same critical mass of classic courses as the Melbourne sandbelt. And nor has it benefited in recent years from the infusion of modern talent that, say, Australia has enjoyed. Player and Nicklaus are the only architects of international repute that have built courses in recent years, as far as I can tell. You can draw your own conclusions from that.

Some of the better older courses would include Durban Country Club, Humewood in Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Royal Johannesburg, River Club, Houghton and Glendower in Johannesburg.

You could add to that list some more modern courses - Sun City, Leopard Creek, Fancourt, Arabella (near Cape Town), Wild Coast Sun - to mention a few.

These are the courses you would build a trip around.

2) I will be better placed to answer this question on January when I return from three weeks in Australia and NZ! I will copy you my itinerary when I have it. So I will leave Oz out of it, and also Wales - have not played enough there (maybe Sean or Mark will chip in).

My ranking would be actually as you have listed them:

US
England
Scotland
Ireland
RSA

Briefly, the US appears to have the most variety - lots of classic courses on the East coast, West coast jewels, from Bandon going south; fantastic looking new courses in the mid-West; mountain golf; desert golf etc.

I think England also scores on variety - lots of great links courses and all the fine heathland courses near London, just for starters.
Scotland has many links jewels, but I put it behind England because it has less variety. I put Ireland behind Scotland on purely subjective grounds - but I would rather play Dornoch, Old Course and Muirfield than Ballybunion, RCD and Portrush - but I am not sure there is much in it, and Ireland certainly has lots of cracking second division links courses, as does Scotland. Scotland has less of the new money courses that have hit Ireland over the last decade, for which I give thanks.
RSA - not the same amount of quality courses as these countries. But I would say about South Africa - and it is a big But - that it is probably a superior holiday destination to almost all of the other places, if golf is not your overriding priority. It is a beautiful country with huge variety. Very few people are immune to the charms of Cape Town, the nearby Winelands, the Garden route, the Drakensberg mountains, the bushveld in the East.

3) No plans, but high hopes! I think a trip is overdue. Any recommendations about what to hook it to?

4)Ryder/Buda cup planning in good shape - the dates are nailed down (Oct 2-4), the booking secured at Hoylake and confirmation from Wallasey a formality I believe. I very much hope you can make it, and that we can add a few other nice rounds to your trip.

[Philip Gawith]

Joel - I don't think that project with Nicklaus you refer to is in the public domain - at least judging from Ernie's website (www.ernieels.com).

They are co-operating on an inland, bushveld course in the north of the country which would not have big dunes.

[ed_getka]

Philip,
   Thanks for the feedback. I look forward to hearing about your trip in January, as my plan is for spring '07. Paul Daley was recommending March/April.
    Build up some marital capital after January and come on over, we'll round up some golf for you.

[Joel_Stewart]

I just watched Ernie Els make triple on the 18th at Leopard Creek to loose the Johnnie Walker.  Leopard Creek is trying to make itself into one of the most exclussive courses in Africa, its a Gary Player design.  The 18th is a par 5 with an island green and Els hit his 3rd over the green into the water.

Regardless, I wasn't that impressed with the course, has anyone played it?

[Sean_A]

I just watched Ernie Els make triple on the 18th at Leopard Creek to loose the Johnnie Walker.  Leopard Creek is trying to make itself into one of the most exclussive courses in Africa, its a Gary Player design.  The 18th is a par 5 with an island green and Els hit his 3rd over the green into the water.

Regardless, I wasn't that impressed with the course, has anyone played it?

Never mind about the course.  My boy Johnny Bic picked up his third title.  Though I don't see much of him these days as he is doing the tax dodge deal in Dubai.

Ciao

[Michael Christensen]

I have a few good sources who have traveled to SA and they say the River Club is the best down there...and they played all on PG's list.....of course access could be an issue for some

[Bob_Huntley]

Philip,

Did the King David G.C. just fade away?

Bob

[James Bennett]

Phillip

make sure you publish your OZ itinerary - some of us would like to catch up, even if it is interstate.  I would love to see you tackling those sandbelt bunkers - they might be deeper by the time you finally extricate yourself.

James B

[Steve Verde]

Never been to South Africa but it does intrigue me. The courses at Fancourt look nice and there is a new course that Darren Clarke co-designed on top of a cliff that looks impressive. http://www.pinnaclepoint.co.za/golf_course.htm

[Philip Gawith]

James. that is very cruel. My bunker technique  has advance leaps and bounds since Muirfield! Alas, this thread dates back to 2005 so I am long since been and gone in Oz (dec 2005). But only today Lloyd was singing praises of Adelaide so rest assured next time I will be visiting ( I was anyway predisposed).

Joel - yes, Leopard Creek is Johan Rupert's attempt to bring Augusta to South Africa. I have not played the course- but would like to, just because of the location. It is exclusive but I think visitors can get on with some planning.

Michael - I was a member of River Club in my youth. It is not the best course in SA, but it is a very good course - maybe the best finishing 5 in SA? I don't think you could get on there without member's assistance.

Re Ernie's meltdown - i was watching on TV and it was truly painful. The irony is that he think he was playing the best i have seen since that purple patch in Australia about 5 years ago.

Bob - not sure re King David GC - did you read something?

Steve -  I have not played  Pinnacle Point but it is much discussed. It is one of about three new courses on the southern Cape coast (on the Garden route) which have fantastic locations. Another is called Pezula, and one is Oubaai.

[Bill Brightly]

This is Pinnacle Point. There was write up in the current issue of  Links magazine. The author said that the setting is more dramatic  than Pebble Beach, and the course is superior to Old Head.

[Bob_Huntley]

Bob - not sure re King David GC - did you read something?

Philip,

No, but back in 1961 I played it and found it quite pleasant. Cannot remember a thing about it now.

Bob

[Bill Brightly]

Par 3 #13 at Pinnacle Point

[James Bennett]

Phillip

sorry I missed the date.  I missed this thread in 2005 and didn't realise it.  Lloyd probably told you that the crowds are small in Adelaide - he is generally right,  You can learn bunker shots - I can never learn to hit the ball as strongly as you!

Bill Brightly

#13 at Pinnacle Point could be the inspiration for #17 at the new TOC #7 (the Castle), although I don't think they can get that colour of blue sky in the aulde grey toon of St Andrews.

James B

[Mike Mosely]

Phil, could you give a quick thumbnail sketch of courses to play in RSA?  Thanks.  What are some of your faves?  I have to say I really liked your pics and recommendations from Belgium and The Netherlands.

[Philip Gawith]

Mike - depends how long you have! Probably the four classic courses are  Durban Country Club, Humewood (links, in Port Elizabeth), East London and Royal Johannesburg. Some of the older venerable courses eg Maccauvlei, have I think been butchered. Beyond that, there are many fine, established courses spread around the big cities and on the coast, albeit not deserving of the highest GCA accolades, but generally fun to play, in good condition and sometimes blessed with spectacular scenery.

Sun City is probably the best know course internationally on account of hosting the high profile December tournament - first ever to offer $1m prize money - for about 25 years. Not everybody's cup of tea, but I think the experience of "bush" golf is fun. On this topic, Leopard Creek is a course in the bush - in the East of the country - with the highest aspirations and lots of exotic bush, wildlife etc which is probably worth a visit.

finally, there is a category of newer courses, especially on the southern cape coast like Arabella, Pinnacle Point, Oubaai and Pezula, not to mention the Links at Fancourt, which are probably worth a visit, but i can't vouch for personally (bar Arabella and Fancourt).

I think the broader tourism experience in SA is wonderful, and the golf has a lot of variety and fun, but only Durban is probably a really exceptional course.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

You ask about Wales. It has some good golf, it has some very characterful golf and it would make a very good place to play golf, but I couldn't suggest that it should be the pick of the bunch for those interested in golf course architecture or for those who are perhaps making their first or second visit to our shores. You'd have to have played about 30 courses in Scotland, 50 in England, and maybe 30 in Ireland before you consider Wales. Very different, of course, if your business takes you there, or you have other reasons to go there, in which case you go with a different set of criteria. But there is nothing in Wales that would compare with TOC, Dornoch, Carnoustie or Prestwick; RCD, R Portrush, Ballybunion, Lahinch or Portmarnock; R St George's, R Liverpool, Ganton, Woodhall Spa, Swinley Forest or Rye.  It has, however, courses to compare with Elie, Southerness, Blairgowrie or Montrose; Ardglass, Portstewart, Connemara or Tramore; Northumberland, Seaton Carew, Liphook or Luffenham Heath. In no case am I trying to compare the style of the courses, more the level at which they are.

I'm very glad, Philip, that you enjoyed the courses in the low countries. I've been going on about it for years, but you always doubt your judgement until someone else has been there and confirmed your opinions. Thank you.

[Padraig Dooley]

I'm down in South Africa at the moment, golf is great down here.

I've played Leopard Creek and really enjoyed it, plenty of variety, the wildlife can be a distraction, it's a great bushveld setting, but I think Gary Player and Johann Rupert did a really good job, probably the best I've played down here.

As for a golf trip, there is probably two or three options. Johannesburg and Sun City or Leopard Creek, The Cape (Cape Town to George) and Durban and the Wild Coast.

The best golf is around Johannesburg, easiest access, cheapest and not too busy, plenty to choose from, Glendower (my favourite in Jo'burg), Randpark(2 courses), Country Club Johannesburg(2), Royal Johannesburg(2), Houghton, Kyalami, Wanderers, Byranston Country Club, all worth playing, the only courses which are difficult to get on are The River Club and Blair Atholl (Gary Player's estate which has just opened), also worth playing if access can be arranged.

Sun City is only 2 hours driving so can be easily reached by car, the Gary Player CC is extremly difficult, probably is overrated, lacks a touch of variety, The Lost City is pretty good as well.

Leopard Creek is 4 hours driving from Jo'burg so can be easily reached as well, can do a game drive at both Sun City and Leopard Creek.

Need to rush out to dinner will talk about the Cape and Durban later.