The only 9-holer to have hosted a Sunshine Tour event, the Platinum Classic, for 18 years from 1996 to 2013. Louis Oosthuizen was champion in 2007. The course has matured into a parkland beauty, its fairways lined with tall trees. Strong test, with creatively designed greens complexes. The conditioning of Mooinooi’s greens is often equal to those at Gary Player CC at nearby Sun City. Built in 1974, the original course designer remains unknown. 5 CULLINAN Near Pretoria, Gauteng North NO CHANGE • SCORE 47/60 Clubhouse 7.5 / Aesthetics 7.5 / Conditioning 7.5 / Design Variety 8 / Innovation 7.5 / Challenge 8 Cullinan has long been recognised as an outstanding 9-holer, an old Gauteng club famous for its proximity to the Premier Mine where the Cullinan diamond, the world’s largest gem- quality rough diamond (weighing 621 grams), was discovered in 1905. The interestingly designed and challenging course is in a tranquil parkland setting. The par-5 fourth hole has a unique set of tees built high on a hillside offering a magnificent view. Up there the hole is a dogleg right with one of the most thrilling of tee shots. Unknown designer. 6 NOODSBERG Near Maritzburg, KZN Midlands NO CHANGE • SCORE 46.5/60 Clubhouse 8.5 / Aesthetics 7.5 / Conditioning 7.2 / Design Variety 8 / Innovation 7.8 / Challenge 7.5
NO 9: Thabazimbi
A challenging, spacious, attractive, and easy-to-walk layout in a beautiful pine forest landscape in the suburbs of this historic town. Championship tees measure 6 415 metres, blue tees 5 953 and red 5 338. Vryheid was the capital of the Nieuwe Republiek formed in 1884, later incorporated into the SA Republic. After the Anglo Boer War at the turn of the 20th century it was absorbed into the Natal colony by the British. Excellent clubhouse facilities with snooker tables and a viewing deck over the 18th green. DOWN 1 • SCORE 45.5/60 Clubhouse 8.5 / Aesthetics 7 / Conditioning 7.5 / Design Variety 8 / Innovation 6 / Challenge 8.5 Boschenmeer is the third nine at the 27-hole Paarl GC facility, part of a residential estate. It qualifies as a separate 9-holer in that its design, by Danie Obermeyer and David Frost in 2000, is distinctly different from the Paarl Old Course. There are numerous water hazards, and a hill in the middle from where you can glimpse Table Mountain. The closing three holes are outstanding; No 7 a beautiful long par 4 through an avenue of pines, No 8 a risk- reward short 4, and No 9 a par 5 curving left around one of the lakes. It is also set up with artificial mat tees to play as a Par 3 layout. 8 BOSCHENMEER Paarl, Cape Winelands 9 THABAZIMBI Thabazimbi, Limpopo UP 2 • SCORE 45/60 Clubhouse 6 / Aesthetics 9 / Conditioning 7.5 / Design Variety 7.5 / Innovation 6.5 / Challenge 8.5
An hour’s drive inland from the KZN North Coast, this relatively hidden gem of 5 768 metres was developed by the local sugar mill in the 1970s. Its tree-lined par 71 layout may draw comparison in places to Augusta National with its undulating land. Firm, fast Royal Blue cynodon greens with subtle slopes. Good innovation at 7 & 16 where you have a dogleg right 5 (513) around a dam, then a 360m par 4 where you tee up on the dam wall and drive across the water to the fairway. 7 VRYHEID Vryheid, Northern KZN NEW ENTRY • SCORE 46/60 Clubhouse 8.5 / Aesthetics 8 / Conditioning 7 / Design Variety 8 / Innovation 7 / Challenge 7.5 Another hidden gem in a remote location undiscovered by most golfers.
NO 8: Boschenmeer
Attractive and tranquil bushveld
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 113
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
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