possible closure. Today there are signs of a strong re- vival. The course had some ugly and untidy artificial water features on the front nine, yet these have been better managed, and the conditioning taken to new heights. Forests of tall bluegum trees are a feature of a tree-lined course, and define the strategy of many holes. The back nine has a series of notably ex- cellent holes, with an outstanding fin- ishing stretch from 15 to 18. Four pars is a good return. Port Elizabeth GC has been in and out of the Top 100 over the years, and returns after an 8-year absence with the spacious parkland course looking in de- cidedly better shape than before. One of SA’s oldest and most historic clubs – it was hosting national tournaments in the 1890s – the club has undergone a resurgence in recent years under proac- tive management and is again bustling with members. Modern equipment has made “The Hill” easier to play today, yet its varying layout, full of doglegs, still has plenty of teeth for members, and it’s always been a course where you pay a price for missing fairways as the hard ground is unforgiving. The last of our newcomers is Parys , another Free State entry, which was only missing for a year. Conditioning of greens and bunkers is up several notches to improve the general play- ability of this scenic modern champi- onship design. This is a true Vaal River golf experience, as 14 of the 18 holes are on an island in the middle of the river as it flows through the town of Parys. It makes for beautiful views and close encounters with the river. Nothing will prepare you for the daunting challenge of the signature hole at Parys, the 425-metre sixth. A long straight drive is essential to take on the second shot to a raised green within the river. The front nine is formidable at 3499 metres off the back tees, the short- est 4 being 388 metres. Golfers cross the Vaal River at the par-5 ninth, with the green on the opposite bank, and there are four holes on the mainland before returning to the island, undoubtedly the weakest holes too. Falling out of the Top 100 from the 2023 rankings were the Western Cape duo of Devonvale (99) and Worcester (96), North West’s Orkney (94) and Benoni Country Club (100).
country, and the state of the car park suggests better days, but there’s a gem beyond the entrance which reveals why it regularly hosted top pro and amateur tournaments from 1970 through to 1995. It faded into obscurity after that and there was even talk at times of its
State which have hosted SA Amateur championships. The third member of the group is Oppenheimer Park, which happily is making a comeback with a redesigned layout after a few holes were lost to flooding from a mining dam. Schoeman Park is blue-collar golfing
MAGALIES PARK The Magaliesberg is a majestic
backdrop to the equally magnificent par-5 15th.
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 69
MAY 2024
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