SEVEN OF MY FAVOURITE STAY-AND-PLAY DESTINATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA. BY STUART MCLEAN MY MAGNIFICENT 7 During my countrywide travels visiting golf courses for the SA Top 100 Courses website, the first prize when it came to overnight accommoda- tion was staying on site in a relaxed environment at one of the Top 100 golf clubs. However, outside the resort and estate courses, there aren’t that many offering stay-and-play packages, particularly in the main centres. I’ve often thought that “Dormy House” accommodation at classic coastal ven- ues like Humewood, East London and Durban Country Club would have been a big attraction for touring golfers and profitable for the clubs. An opportunity perhaps missed by each of them. For many years, starting in the 1920s when it was founded, Maccauvlei on the Vaal River south of Gauteng had a “Dormy House,” with such plen- tiful accommodation that provincial teams used to reside there when the club hosted the annual National Teams Championship. When the “Dormy House” closed it spelled the end for the tournament. Pretoria Country Club has recently converted four rondawels behind their clubhouse into guest rooms, popular with members attending eve- ning functions, while Victoria Country Club in Maritzburg and Oppen- heimer Park in Welkom have long had B&B options by the clubhouse. Rare examples all three of them. Residential estate courses often have guest houses on the property, or boutique hotels, but, while handy places to overnight, they are often disconnected from the golf course, and the feeling I’ve had is that of re- siding in a suburban street. You are still likely to have to drive from there to the clubhouse. I’ve highlighted seven of my favourite places to stay when touring, all at golf clubs with distinctively attractive and enjoyable courses. At two you stay in the clubhouse itself, on an upper floor, while the others have accommodation just as conveniently close to the first tee. Four of the “stay-and-play” experiences are in KwaZulu-Natal, the other three in the Eastern, Southern and Northern Cape.
KZN MIDLANDS
GOWRIE FARM GOLF LODGE Newcomers are amazed that Gowrie Farm has only been in existence 16 years; it does have an ancient character about it. I like the understated aspects of the small clubhouse and adjoining guest rooms. Com- fortable, old-fashioned décor, golfing memorabilia on the walls, nothing lavish about the place. A long glassed-in veran- dah overlooking the course. The locker room is simple and close to the homely bar, the pro shop is small, the first tee right there when you walk out the door. The original accommodation consisted of five suites on the first floor, and six extra rooms have been added behind the 18th green. I expect Gowrie Farm to be much busier in 2024 when it becomes a full 18-hole course, instead of a hybrid layout. The new 18 officially opens in March. An advantage it holds over Bosch Hoek is being close to Nottingham road and the restau- rants and activity in the area.
Gowrie Farm in the KZN Midlands.
78 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024
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