ness as a layout in Gauteng, amidst a plethora of parkland courses, makes it stand out from the rest, delivering a different experience that has lifted it to No 69. Their “Amen Corner” is known as “The Eagle’s Claw,” holes 10- 13, a quartet of three memorable 4s and a thrilling par 3 involving high tees, water and rocky koppies. Atlantic Beach is Cape Town’s equiv- alent of a course which had its early de- tractors. It was always going to be tricky convincing golfers to love a windy links- style layout with fairways bordered on both sides by impenetrable fynbos, yet here again we have a unique experience which while it might disturb golfers by taking them out of their comfort zones, is an excellent addition to the Top 100 in terms of diversity. Atlantic Beach suffered a serious set- back to its fairways, basically wiping them out, during Cape Town’s water crisis, yet it has rebounded from a posi- tion in the 80s to being in the 50s. WESTERN CAPE THREESOME In the rest of the Western Cape the likes of De Zalze, Hermanus and Royal Cape have risen in the rankings through consistent adherence to quality experi- ences for members and visitors. Spend- ing money on course infrastructure and renovations where they are needed.
DAINFERN The feature hole is this superb long par 4 on the banks of the Jukskei River.
BRIDGES OF BOSCH HOEK Five new bridges have been built at Bosch Hoek, crossing the broad stream that runs through the country’s No 1-ranked 9-hole course in the KZN Midlands. Bosch Hoek has maintained its place in the Top 100 since first enter- ing in 2018. The furthest bridge from the clubhouse is at the green of the par-5 third/12th, and the other four bridges are situated between 8/9 and 17/18. One is called Clarks Cross- ing after Bosch Hoek own- er Ivan Clark. They were built using attractive local stone, and are impressively engineered arched con- structions, notably the one at the third. The bridges proved their worth during a late summer flash flood.
62 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MAY 2024
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