BEST COASTAL COURSES
The par-5 12th hole at Oubaai.
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RECOVERING OUBAAI DELIGHTS SUNSHINE TOUR PROS
Oubaai, the Ernie Els design in the Garden Route, has made a significant revival this year in its overall condi- tioning after undergoing a change of ownership. It was bought by Khalfan Al Kaabi, who owns the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Under the previous Kuwaiti owners, lack of maintenance expendi- ture had seen Oubaai tumble from No 44 in the Top100 rankings in 2021 to No 85 in 2024. Mark Wiltshire Golf, based in George nearby, were appointed this year to manage the golf course and pro shop, and acquired a new greenkeeper in Corneille van Rooyen who was pre- viously at Westlake Golf Club in Cape Town. MWG spent several million rand on new machinery to mow fair- ways, tees and greens, and the invest- ment in both has paid off. In comparison to how it looked at the end of last summer, the course has
been transformed, and Oubaai hosted the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final from November 14-17. LIV’s Dean Burmester won with a remarkable 28-under total of 260 (67-64-63-66) to show just how playable this is in good weather. He had 32 birdies to win by 7 shots. There were two rounds of 62 by Jacques Kruyswijk and Oliver Bekker, one off the course re- cord set by Ernie Els 10 years ago. The bunkers had deteriorated in recent years through lack of manage- ment, and were in a poor state, but they have become much more playable, al- though many of the faces of the bigger fairway bunkers have eroded away and look unsightly. However, it does not af- fect their playability. The faces are hard, and the ball will run down into an area of sand from which it can be played. The clubhouse pro shop has been restocked, and there’s a row of Titleist rental sets for visitors.
Dean Burmester was triumphant in the Vodacom Origins Final.
108 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
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