complexes and shape the bunkers with the assistance of a shaper. The D6 is efficient in moving sand around. The dozer blade created swales in front of the uphill greens, and that loose soil was used as a platform for the construc- tion and shaping of the greens. “The greens themselves were not built to US Golf Association specifica- tions, but rather with subsoil drain- age which is recognised by the USGA. These greens comprise a growing me- dium and a stone base, and we planted them with Penn A1/A2 and Bengal bent. Another saving was using builders’ In the foreground is Soweto CC’s ninth green. From the back tee this is a 423-metre dogleg right par 4 where a strategic tree in the fairway comes into play. Left of the hole is the par-5 third, longest on the course at 504 metres.
Soweto’s future when costs are esca- lating. It cannot be taken for granted because the existing low green fees and member subscriptions don’t cover the cost of keeping it viable. GolfRSA and Gauteng golfers need to show greater support for this club and play their part in promoting golf in Soweto. It would be nice to see greater participation from the people of Soweto.” Jacobs said a big cost saving in the course construction was that no earth moving was required. “The only ma- chine we had on site was a D6 bulldoz- er which helped me create the greens
pany continues to maintain the course in a portfolio which includes Arabella, Pretoria CC, Sishen, Stellenbosch, Prince’s Grant and Highland Gate. “Soweto is a legacy project for STM, where we can give something back to golf in South Africa, and we’re proud of the way our team has maintained it in such good condition,” says company CEO Kosie Mentz. “We’re helped by the fact that this is a maintenance-friendly design – limited bunkers, flat fairways, easily mowable tees, greens not too busy. “However, while this project has been a great initiative, I do worry about
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