The 12th green on the dam at St Cathryn’s, with estate homes in the background. Right: The hole called Augusta. No 8/17 plays down a hill to a two-tier green. Below right: St Cathryn’s clubhouse deck. Below: Piet and Cathy Nel.
★ ★ ★ ST CATHRYN’S, NEAR KRANSKOP Quirky, fun layout, average conditioning, excellent clubhouse, warm hospitality from Piet and Cathy Nel, and catering. Accommodation on site. www.stcathryns.co.za
second time round, with another green further on. No 6 is an interesting hole, from a tee overlooking a large trout dam higher on the property. After driv- ing across the dam to a sloping fairway there’s a green in view, but not the one for the first time round. You play over it, and another distant green appears – this is a 498m par 5. All 18 holes have an eclectic mix of names, in English, German and Zulu, and No 8 is Augusta. I can see why Piet chose that, although second time around he calls it Louise? It’s a striking 278m downhiller through an avenue of tall pines. The fairway runs out at about 180 metres, and it’s best to lay up and play an approach shot over the entrance road to a two-tier green. Looking back from the green it’s a beautiful sight.
ated” by a free golfing publication. Piet’s layout is a remarkably good one for someone with no previous experi- ence, especially as the landscape is un- dulating. A boer makes a plan. It’s fun to play, quirky, challenging and innova- tive. “It’s technical in places, particular- ly the par-5 fifth,” he explained, before sending me out for 9 on a golf cart. I quickly concluded that Piet is keen for visitors to play more than 9 (R180 for 9 holes, R220 for 18), because there are two visibly different nines. Some greens have two flags, while two holes have separate greens. The greens were bumpy on my visit, but I enjoyed the variation of the holes. It was an en- thralling ride most of the way round. The third is a 228-metre par 4 bor- dering the dam, stretched to 293 the
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 93
JUNE 2024
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