SA Golf Trader; Nov/Dec 2021 - Q&A with Henk Buitendach, GM Thatchfield Par-3 Golf Club

1. Where were you born and what schools did you attend?

I was born in Pretoria many moons ago, I attended Laerskool Elarduspark and moved on to Hoerskool Waterkloof where I matriculated.

2. Do you come from a sporting background?

Yes, I played rugby my whole schooling career and participated in athletics in the off-season.

3. Do you have any sporting hobbies?

Its not surprising that I play golf socially but apart from that, I love triathlons. Mastering 3 disciplines compressed into one event is enough adrenaline for the whole year. If I don’t play golf or train you will find me camping or hiking somewhere in the Drakensberg with the family.

4. How did you get into the business of club management?

Well, my journey started over 15 years ago in Scotland where I worked in a hotel that had a 9-hole course as part of their leisure facilities. I befriended the greenkeeper and got intrigued with golf.

My journey then started at Centurion CC back in 2005 in the greenkeeping industry where my passion for golf and business management lead to my position at Thatchfield Golf Club today.

5. Did you do any tertiary education in the industry?

Yes, from a Turfgrass Management Diploma at TUT to a Golf Course Management higher international certificate at Elmwood College. I am currently busy with a MID Diploma in Club Management through the Club Management Association of America.

6. What differences are there in terms of maintenance between a range/mashie course compared to a normal 18-hole golf course?

Most businesses have the same fundamentals that need to be applied for sustainability and growth. The same goes for maintenance on the course, a bigger facility equates to more machinery, employees, consumables, the list goes on. The fundamentals stay the same, just more responsibility and sleepless nights!

7. Is there a handicap rating system for mashie courses?

To answer this quickly, NO. Golf RSA has done our course/slope rating and an unofficial calculation has been made to translate ones handicap index to our course handicap. There are talks between numerous entities to develop a nationally recognized handicap index for par-3 facilities.

How far this is in the development stages one can only guess. What would this mean for par-3 facilities across the country and for the game of golf? A major game-changer for entry level golfers!

8. Do you run competitive events at the mashie course and/or driving range?

Yes, we`ve had numerous competitions on the course and driving range. Ranging from our annual club championships for members to compete to longest drive events on the range, the experience is different and that is why we have so much success.

9. What are the differences in driving range balls as opposed to regular golf balls?

You would have to ask the reps at the big golfing brands about technical ball composition but in laymen’s terms, a range ball is designed for repetitive ball striking, the design probably leans more towards a hardened feel as apposed to where ball flight, trajectory and performance of the response of a “normal” golf ball is key.

On our range we have water features and dams designed to give a “real feel” scenario of what you would expect on an 18-hole course. We make use of floating range balls (quite pricy) to accommodate easy collection from our water hazards.

10. Is golf etiquette more relaxed on the mashie course?

I would say yes because we do attract a lot more “newby” golfers to the facility as to what I feel a well-established 18-hole (without mashie) would attract. To give you an idea, we recorded more than 25000 feet/rounds at the club last year, almost 30% of that figure were people playing golf for the very first time. Asking newbies to spend R500 on golfing apparel before they even touch their clubs would chase them away.

We do however feel strongly about a couple of general etiquette/ rules like quantities (4ball) of golfers playing together, speed of play, pitch mark and divot repairs and general use of flag poles and bunker rakes. We focus on a relaxed and fun environment for everyone to come and enjoy.

11. In my experience, many people who visit the driving range tend to favour their driver, don’t you think people should concentrate more on their short game?

It is all about the short game right? Perfecting your clubs from 8 upwards is crucial, it’s interesting to see how stats on the worlds top 10 current golfers and their short game averages weigh up against those with a lower percentage average. You spend 20% of your game driving or in a long iron shot where the rest is basically chip and putt.

12. What other activities do you offer at Thatchfield?

Well, the facility was designed almost 20 years ago with the short game in mind but on steroids. Apart from a world-class driving range and a full USGA specification 9-hole mashie we have putting and chipping greens to choose from to further assist in perfecting different shots and putting types.

If you would like to take a breather from golf we also have a designated fishing area where catching bass is the main attraction. Catering for events like birthday parties or year-end functions forms part of our offerings to the public looking for a social event in a scenic environment.