The green of the sixth hole, guarded by its new bunkers. It is a 399-metre stroke 1. Right, from top: The Mafunyane Trophy, presented to the winner of the Palabora Classic on the Sunshine Tour; the old Hans Merensky tee boards still stand; the temporary clubhouse with a sign commemorating the late Leon Pappas, golf pro for many decades.
a wonderful golf experience. By Stuart McLean WILD
ing the property with the intention of reviving it as a resort destination. First step has been re-opening the course and establishing a temporary club- house. There’s a range facility. By March 2025, in time for the region’s annual Marula Festival, the main club- house will be open for business, and there will be a limited number of rooms available for guests. More rooms will be opened during 2025, leading up to the full opening of the hotel and spa by December 2025. The only upgrade to the course has been the building of attractive new bunkers by Michael Scholz of Bunker Armour. The white sand provides a
quiet remoteness on the fourth green, up against the park fence, while play- ing 18 on my own. I did have a golf cart, though, whereas this always used to be a course where golfers walked. I stayed in one of those homes for a few days, on the fifth fairway, and it was a relaxing and tranquil experi- ence. Most of the other homes were empty, and there were more animals on the fairways than golfers, even on a Saturday. It’s only dirt roads away from the clubhouse area, which added to the attractiveness of the environment. Hans Merensky’s downfall began when South Africa was awarded the FIFA World Cup in 2004. The new
owner mistakenly believed there would be an influx of foreign visitors to the area during the 2010 tournament, and went on a building spree around the clubhouse to accommodate them. The folly of that decision can be seen today playing No 11, a 498-metre par 5. Empty thatch-roofed double-storey buildings with hundreds of rooms line the left side of the hole. All that development did adversely affect the special atmo- sphere that once existed. There used to be chalets on his hole where golfers could stay and braai if they wished. Indalo Hotels & Leisure, in col- laboration with the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality, are busy rehabilitat-
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 15
JULY/AUGUST 2024
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