When news first broke that Gary Player’s farm to the north of Johannesburg was to become home to a championship golf course, it was no great surprise. For some years Player had rightly extolled the virtues of this beautiful property, and he had long since hatched plans for what was to be a serious championship layout. It had been rumoured that perhaps two nines would be fashioned by two different designers – one by Player and the other by his long-time friend Jack Nicklaus.
Although the plan for Player and Nicklaus to collaborate on this project did not materialise, an even more exciting prospect came about when Player’s farm was sold to developer Robby Wray, a man determined to create a golf course like no other. Player’s original farm had been bordered by the Crocodile River, but when Wray also acquired a vast stretch of property on the other side of the river, the planned layout could then cross the water.
When the course was opened in 2007, it was impossible for even the most critical golfers not to be impressed. The sheer scale of it astounded the select group who were invited to play, and it was apparent that no expense had been spared in creating what in many ways is a unique golfing experience.
Layout
For starters, the routing of the layout is without comparison. While the opening and closing holes (both par fives) run more or less parallel, the similarity with any traditional layout in the world stops there. From the 2nd hole, no other golfers will be seen playing another hole left or right, and as the course sweeps westward and then loops around to finish in front of the clubhouse, each hole is a memorable, stand-alone beauty.
The opener, defined by a cavernous bunker to the right of the fairway and trees to the left, allows a fair margin for error off the tee (as do most of the holes here) and when the brow of a hill is reached, a most tantalising task awaits – the downhill approach to an oversized green guarded by a large lake on the right. The 2nd is a strong par four with an intimidating view from the tee – clusters of bunkers need to be negotiated before an approach to the green must carry another big, deep bunker front and right of the target. The route to the 3rd holewinds through a thickly wooded area, and after arriving at the tee of this short hole, most golfers will catch their breath – this is a stunning one-shotter played downhill over a lake, often compared with Augusta’s famous 12th.
It seems hardly possible that any hole could be more spectacular, yet the very next one is. This par four is played over the Crocodile River, then the fairway swings hard left and runs alongside the river. This hole has recently acquired a new green that was constructed literally on the riverbank, which has added another 80 metres and a liberal dose of adrenalin. Another par five follows – a hole that winds its way between rocky outcrops and the river.
By now the golfer has realised that this is no ordinary golf course, but it gets better. Another par three follows, featuring a wickedly designed green with a large plateau in its back portion, and then a par four that is rated as stroke 18, but has a deceptively difficult approach.
The 8th hole is another where Mother Nature seemed to conspire to design the perfect par three. There is a drop of some 45 metres from the championship tee to the green, and again the player’s shot must carry the river before finding the safety of the putting surface. After putting out, a special treat awaits – the halfway house. If there is a better-situated spot to have a snack and mull over the holes that have been played, we haven’t seen it. Sitting on the deck overlooking the water of the Crocodile River as it tumbles over rocks, it is all too tempting to let the fourball behind you play through, and to spend more time enjoying the tranquillity of this special place.
The 9th hole is a par four played uphill, and precedes a par five that must be rated as one of the best found anywhere. The tee shot is played downhill and must bisect fairway bunkers, and the second shot must either be laid up short of a creek or, for the really long hitter, an attempt can be made to carry a long approach to the green. The 11th is the most awkward of the holes – an uphill par three – but the par four after this, although innocuous looking, can easily ruin a scorecard. A string of lakes run down the left side of the hole, and as long as the drive misses the bunker guarding the right side of the fairway, the approach seems straightforward. With the pin cut on the left side of the green, however, a slight misjudgement can result in disaster.
The 13th is a par five that can be stretched to over 600 metres, and when played into the wind it is a monster. The 14th is a par four that doglegs slightly to the left and features a truly magnificent green complex. The next hole, if played from the championship tee, will demand two great shots from the average player; a par four well worthy of its low stroke rating.
Probably the most talked-about hole on the course is the fearsome 16th – a 515-metre par four that runs alongside the river and that requires two huge shots in order to reach the green. Most handicap players would be well advised to employ the conservative approach and play it as a three-shotter.
Another magnificent par three played over a lake is followed by the finishing hole – a classic par five that requires an accurate drive over a waterfall, and then a lay-up short of a creek that fronts the green.
At full stretch, this course measures a mammoth 7 600 metres and will not only test every club in the bag, but could well frustrate even top amateurs or professionals unless their games are razor sharp. The huge greens, which average some 1 000 square metres, are as good as any in the world and allow for myriad interesting pin positions.
When Compleat Golfer last ranked South Africa’s courses, a very young Blair Atholl was declared to be the second best in the country. Give this layout another year or two to mature, and it is difficult to imagine any other course being rated higher. From the moment one enters the opulent clubhouse, it is obvious this club is for the well-heeled. Guests of members are allocated their locker for the day, and have full use of the range and practice facilities without extra charge. This is a very private club and visitors may only play if they are invited by a member, so should any golfer be given the opportunity of doing battle with this man-sized test, our advice is to leap at the chance.
LIKES
■The unique routing, the sense of space and the blend of savannah and riverine ecosystems.
■The halfway house – there is none better.
■The locker-rooms – opulent and spacious, befitting an exclusive, private facility.
■The magnificent views of the course and Magaliesberg mountains from the clubhouse.
… and DISLIKES
■Difficulty in getting to play this course – strictly private and by member’s invitation only.
Getting there
From Johannesburg, proceed to Lanseria Airport (on R511) and turn right at the Lanseria sign. At the three-way stop with the airport on the right, proceed straight for 2.5km.
Course
Par 72, 7 600 metres
Designer
Gary Player (2006)
General manager
Jon Dare
Director of golf
John Botha
Course superintendents
Craig Hunter, Paul Neveling
Club professionals
Iglin Grobbelaar, Mark Fraser
Club captain
Nic Frangos
Greenfees
R 750 (accompanied by member)
Contact
Tel: 011 300 5700
Email: [email protected] Website: www.blairatholl.co.za
