Middle Stone Age man used to inhabit the area that is now Pinnacle Point Beach & Golf Estate, where evidence of heat treatment of rock to make tools has been found. Now, over 40 000 years later, the land houses an elite golf estate where modern man continues to use tools, but these days it’s a set of golf clubs.
Starting at grass roots level is still the focus at Pinnacle Point, where promoting junior golf has become a key element of sustaining membership and extra steps are taken to ensure that youngsters get involved in the game.
The latest initiative is the Pinnacle Point Golf Academy, which was launched in December 2016 and gives future players a learning platform. The estate is also home to the Louis 57 Junior Golf Academy, a venture started by Louis Oosthuizen following his victory at the 2010 Open Championship that aims to give children from the local community a chance to experience golf.
‘I have enjoyed a lot of success in my career and I have always felt duty bound to give back to junior golf in South Africa for the backing I received as a young player,’ said the world number 18, who is Compleat Golfer’s new Playing Editor.
The recent Club Championship results showed the positive effects of promoting junior golf. The number of juniors entering the event was at an all-time high and the reigning mens and ladies champions are both products of the local development programs.
The interest being generated has lead Pinnacle Point to its most successful numbers yet. Their rounds are up on last year, they served more people in their restaurant than ever before, and the pro shop and driving range performed above expectations. Combined, these positive driving forces resulted in record numbers for December and the club looked after almost 4,100 golfers for the period 14th Dec to 10th Jan.
Going back to the start is clearly yielding results.
