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Bob_Huntley

Some African Courses..
« on: January 12, 2005, 07:57:15 PM »
Joel,

You asked for some ratings info on Southern African courses. This is from Mike Reinders, a one time Rhodesian Amateur Champion and quite a player.

Bob

I have played most of the RSA courses listed and all of them in Zimbabwe. Here are my personal ratings of those I know and have played.

1. Gary Player CC - Sun City
2. Durban CC - Durban
3. Glendower GC - Johannesburg
4. Leopard Creek - Malelane
5. The Links - Fancourt
6. Montague - Fancourt  (now remodelled and to open for play on Feb 1st
2005)
7. Humewood - Port Elizabeth
8. George GC - George
9. Royal Johannesburg East course
10. Outeniqua - Fancourt
11. East London GC
12. Erinvale GC - Somerset West
13. Wild Coast Sun
14. Pecan Wood
15. Arabella - Kleinmond
16. River Club - Johannesburg
17. Fish River Sun
18. Prince's Grant

Zimbabwe (but 3 years ago)
1. Royal Harare
2.  Chapman G.C., Harare
3. Leopard Rock G. Resort, Mutare
4. Elephant Hills G.C., Victoria Falls
5. Borrowdale Brooke G.C., Harare     Sun River C.C., Harare (same
establishment just a different name)
6. Bulawayo G.C., Bulawayo

Regards
Mike Reinders



Ben Cowan-Dewar

Re:Some African Courses..
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2005, 09:01:22 PM »
Bob,
Have you played Leopard Rock or the Sun City Courses?

BCD

Joel_Stewart

Re:Some African Courses..
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2005, 09:11:12 PM »
Thanks.  I've heard good things about Durban (obviously) and Humewood.  Interesting that Mike would rate Humewood 7th on his list?

James Edwards

Re:Some African Courses..
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2005, 04:03:37 AM »
The International Final Qualifying for the Open Championship is being played at Atlantic Beach Golf Club.  There is an article on  the BBC website if anybody is interested.
@EDI__ADI

Philip Gawith

Re:Some African Courses..
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2005, 05:20:50 AM »
Atlantic Beach is half an hour north of Cape Town (past Milnerton, for those who know) with stunning views of Table Mountain across Table Bay. It is has some links features being close to the see with firm, running fairways. A tough course because the bush-style rough is absolutely terminal.

That selection from Mike Reinders looks to me as if it overlaps quite closely with the received wisdom of what are the top courses in SA, although some of the placings might be disputed.

Ben - I have played the Sun City courses. I certainly enjoyed the main course, because the bush environment makes for nice surrounds and the course is in excellent condition. The second, Lost City, course is pretty gimmicky. I think your average golfer would enjoy playing the Sun City course - provided they wanted the Sun City experience in the first place (basically, SA's answer to Las Vegas). I doubt, though, that GCA folk would rate it that highly and certainly Tom Doak gave it the big thumbs in the CG.

In general, South Africa has many courses of great scenic merit, but not too many of great architectural merit. Alastair Mackenzie never made a visit! I think any golfer would enjoy the Fancourt complex simply because the setting is so beautiful. The Links course is a lot of fun, albeit patently artificial and a bit too green. Anyone who gets to Durban should think of playing the Wild Coast Sun (about an hour and a half south). There is also quite a nice Weiskopf course called Zimbali, about half an hour north of Durban, which is also worth playing.

I played at the River Club earlier this month - normally rated in the top ten and probably the best conditioned course in SA (also amongst the most private). I will try and post some pictures on that in the near future.

Philip Gawith

Re:Some African Courses..
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2005, 05:46:11 AM »
Not sure how much European tour golf shows in the US, but Durban Country Club hosts the South African Open next week (part of the European Tour - starts 20th) so that fine course will get a good airing for those curious about its appeal.

Keith Durrant

Re:Some African Courses..
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2005, 07:02:14 AM »
What about SV Hotchkin's Humewood, how does it compare with the old world links and Woodhall Spa? Did Hotchkin do any other courses?

Philip Gawith

Re:Some African Courses..
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2005, 10:52:48 AM »
 I have not played the course so can't say. They have a reasonable website - www.humewoodgolf.co.za - which quotes Bobby Locke as saying he thought it the finest course in SA, fit to host the British Open if it were ever held outside the UK. It also claims that TOC was Hotchkins' inspiration for Humewood. Apparently Donald Steel was involved in something of a revamp in the 1980s.

Bob_Huntley

Re:Some African Courses..
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2005, 01:03:42 PM »
Ben,

I have not played them.

Philip.

Locke said the same thing about Nchanga G.C. in 1960.

Bob

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