Golf in the Berg by SA Golf Trader

GOLF IN THE BERG

Cover Pic: Champagne Sports Resort

Amphitheatre Golf Course

Champagne Sports Resort

Cathedral Peak Golf Club

Gooderson Monks Cowl Golf Resort

Sani Pass Golf Course

Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort

Underberg Country Club

Click here to use the interactive Google Map on your smartphone

GOLF IN THE BERG Lying roughly mid-way between Johannesburg and Durban, the Drakensberg covers a large and very diverse area. With soaring mountain peaks, this beautiful part of our country is an ideal breakaway for golfing enthusiasts, and there are no less than seven excellent golf courses to choose from. The golf courses on offer vary considerably but each offers something unique. In the Northern and middle “Berg” you have Champagne Sports Resort which is a world class facility with a championship 18-hole golf course, next door to them you have Gooderson Monks Cowl Resort with their lovely 9-hole golf course, closer to the Lesotho border and nestled right in the

mountains you have Cathedral Peak Hotel’s 9-holer and north of that the Amphitheatre 9-hole golf course at the Hlalanathi Drakensberg Resort. In the Southern “Berg” you will find a lovely 18hole layout at Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens, a challenging 9-holer at Underberg Country Club and a fun 9-hole track at Premier Resort Sani Pass where you can really relax and enjoy playing whilst sheep graze on the fairways. Read on and find out more about these golf courses, so that you and some friends can plan a vacation and experience “Golf in the Berg”.

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Your favourite place to play

Experience our magnificent 18-hole, top 30 ranked, Championship Golf Course at our award-winning resort in the picturesque Central Drakensberg, proudly situated within a majestic world heritage site. Breathe in the crisp mountain air and enjoy what has been rated as SA’s most beautiful golf course in recent years. Our Clubhouse offers a selection of light meals and drinks which can be enjoyed either indoors or on the deck with a view. Join us for a unique and unforgettable experience!

Where friends and family meet

w w w. cha m p a g n e s p or t s res or t . com

18 Hole Championship Golf Course Motorised golf carts & walk the course World-class Clubhouse with views Well-stocked Pro-Shop Ladies & Gents change rooms (at Clubhouse) Luxury Accommodation Dining Leisure Amenities

Call: +27 (0)36 468 8000 • Email: reservations@champagnesportsresort.com

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Champagne Sports Resort – The sparkl Founded in 1996, Champagne Sports Resort has over the past 28 years clearly established itself as the resort of choice for those visiting the central Drakensberg. Swimming Pools, Putt-Putt, Tennis Courts, Bowling Green, Trail Running, MTB Trails, Little Explorers, Game On!, Gym, Spa, Basket Ball, Volley Ball, Badminton, Squash Court Cathkin Trail and of course a championship 18-hole golf course make it a mecca for holiday makers who enjoy being active.

The golf course is simply magnificent and well capable of hosting big events. Designed by former South African professional golfer Hugh Baiocchi, it is tree lined with ample water hazards and strategically placed bunkers and all the while Cathkin peak and Champagne peak loom large in the not-too-distant background.

“It is no exaggeration to say that Champagne Sports Resort is a world class destination. The golf course is top notch, with one of the best clubhouses around, the pro-shop is well appointed with friendly staff, the accommodation and meals are superb and there is plenty to do for children”

On our recent visit we teed off on a beautiful Tuesday morning. Teeing it up in the mountains is a thrilling experience and the front nine was pleasantly challenging. The signature par-3 fourth was a standout as well as the par-3 seventh which is so pretty as to be almost

“The signature par-3 fourth was a standout as well as the par-3 seventh which is so pretty as to almost be unreal.”

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ling crown of the Central Drakensberg unreal. The greens are of the highest quality and are planted with L93 bent-grass which has proven extremely suitable for the region, particularly in winter where the greens remain ‘green’, receptive and true to line.

15th, 16th and the 18th which is a stroke 2, par-4 and a really, really good closing hole. With the sun shining brightly this was one of those days which made us look around and count our blessings.

The clubhouse offers panoramic views, and this must surely be one of the best vantage points in the country where one can enjoy a quick halfway house meal after nine holes and after eighteen a few beers and a bite to eat. The large, fully stocked pub offers golfers the perfect spot to compare notes on their experiences on this splendid golf course.

It is no exaggeration to say that Champagne Sports Resort is a world class destination. The golf course is top notch, with one of the best clubhouses around, the pro-shop is well appointed with friendly staff, the accommodation and meals are superb and there is plenty to do for children.

The back nine proved to be every inch as good as the front nine with standout holes being the

This is Golf in the Berg personified!

Preview the golf course HERE January | February 2024

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“Cathedral Peak is a course you could safely place at the head of any list of local hidden gems” - Stuart McLean Nestled in the heart of the Drakensberg lies 4-star family-owned Cathedral Peak Hotel. For 85 years they have been providing premier accommodation, sumptuous buffet meals and an exceptional outdoor leisure experience surrounded by the magnificent peaks of some of the World Heritage Site’s most iconic mountains. Cathedral Peak Hotel’s crowning jewel is their 9-hole course, with alternate tees for an 18-hole game. Designed and built in 1994 by one of South Africa’s legendary amateur golfers Roly Taylor, with collaboration from his well-known brother, Reg, this 5412-meter, par 70 course is great to play all year round. Opened on 13 January 1996 by Dayle Hayes, the design variety and risk-reward quotient is diverse,

the slopes are subtle and the grass, under the continuous care of a full-time greenkeeper, causes the ball to have a slick pace. The varying elevations, high tees and the odd water hazard make it an exciting course to play. Golfing facilities include a clubhouse, showers and change-rooms, as well as a lounge with fireplace. Golf carts are available for hire, green fees are modest and beverages can be ordered from the Hotel Reception prior to play. Day visitors are welcome. Becoming a member of this family orientated golf club gives you access to a beautiful club where you can learn the game at your leisure. You qualify for an official handicap and affiliated rates at clubs that offer this discount. You also qualify to play in Club Champs held annually in March which is hugely popular with visiting golfers, regular guests and locals. The golf club has preferential accommodation rates at the Hotel for competitors in the tournament. Accommodation ranges from spacious, standard and inter-leading family rooms to the private Honeymoon Suites and a Presidential Suite. Alongside a staggering range of on-site facilities and activities for the whole family, the hotel boasts unrivalled access to the Drakensberg mountains. On offer are 18 hikes leaving from your doorstep, excellent bird-watching and San Rock Art sites, swimming pools, mountain bike trails, a gym, horse rides, quad bike rides, wellness center and so much more. Cathedral Peak Hotel is sure to offer you an unrivalled golfing experience with panoramic views from every hole.

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9 Hole

18 Tee

Par 72

Length: 5559m

18 Holes

Par 72

Length: 6058m

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* Water Slide & Rock Pool * Bike Track * Fishing

* Amphitheatre Golf Course * Restaurant * Emthonjeni Spa

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, our 9-hole and 18-tee

course was designed to make your golf game enjoyable. Clear cut fairways and well manicured greens are surrounded by an array of birdlife with the Tugela River alongside. Camping and chalets available, book now.

036-4386308 10

info@hlalanathi.co.za www.sagolftrader.co.za

Click here to Book on line

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John Collier Survey CHAMPAGNE SPORTS RESORT GOLF COURSE RATED AS AT A GOLD COMPLIANCE LEVEL

From a golfing experience, one of the more enjoyable occurrences and dream destinations is playing golf high up the Drakensberg Mountains. This area is also known as uKhahlamba, the Barrier of Spears, which and from a golfing perspective, this area may be split into two separate golfing areas - Northern Berg and Southern Berg. Some of the Northern Berg golf courses include, Amphitheatre Golf Club, Cathedral Peak Golf Course, Champagne Sports Golf Course, and Monks Cowl Golf Course, and while the Southern Berg includes courses such as Drakensberg Gardens, Sani Pass and Underberg Country Club. Since the Covid 19 pandemic, visiting the Berg should surely be on many golfer’s to do list. The Berg possesses natural and cultural diversity that supports a domestic and globally compelling tourism proposition. The area also has outstanding ecological richness, set in distinct biomes and protected, through areas such as a World Heritage Site, national parks, game and nature reserves and of course, the area’s golf courses. While in attracting golfers and tourists to the Berg, it cannot be ignored that tourism is recognised for its immense revenues’ potential and its significant contribution that it can make to the economy of the Berg. The recently published Tourism Sector Master Plan refers to two guiding principles namely January | February 2024

Responsible Tourism, which means all tourism development and activities shall deliver on the triple bottom-line, namely economic, social and environmental sustainability, and also in terms of Service Excellence; being the latter requiring that the entire industry, including non-tourism service providers, should continually strive for service excellence towards all our tourists. On an annual basis the John Collier Annual Survey analyses data received from clubs throughout South Africa, in order to arrive at a national good governance and environmental compliance level. For the 2022 / 2023 year of review, the compliance level result indicated that some work still needs to be done in this area. In terms of the Berg golf courses, the one club that stands out, as a leader for several years for good governance and environmental compliance, is the Champagne Sports Resort Golf Course being rated as at a GOLD COMPLIANCE LEVEL. Golf Clubs are encouraged to participate in this national benchmark initiative. The benefits include, ensuring good governance and environmental compliance, gaining knowledge and skills, building reputation and strengthening the marketability of your club. Contact us via www.johncolliergolf.com or ajcollier@telkomsa.net.

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QA &

WITH

TREVOR LIVESEY

Golf course superintendent Champagne Sports Resort

You started out as a player, then became a PGA Professional, when did you realise that turf management was the industry you wanted to take further? After playing 9 years on the local Sunshine Tour and, having played professionally on numerous courses around the world over the years, I started noticing & developing an interest in understanding the science behind turf management.

to say that we have been consistently ranking higher & higher each year in the top 100 golf courses in RSA - we are currently ranked 27th in 2023. The worst part is the unpredictability of the weather these days - albeit I have the best in weather radar systems etc, it is always unpredictable to a varying degree.

What is the best and worst part of being a golf course superintendent? The best part is the satisfaction I gain from doing a job that is not only a passionate interest of mine, golf, but also the reward in seeing the course improve in status with players over the years - and I’m very proud

You are also the Golf Director at Champagne Sports Resort, in the heart of the Drakensberg, what are your biggest challenges on and off the course? With this being a resort it is always a challenge to keep the course in a pristine 12

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condition to satisfy both guests and golfers alike.

course faces it’s own challenges based upon location and climate.

With current temperatures being very high, what are the measures being taken to prevent the course getting burnt without using too much water?

Does one need different machinery on course for different types of grasses around the country?

With the technology in whetting agents being so

Yes. Do you think it should be mandatory for each golf courses to close one day per week for maintenance? Yes. It is extremely important to do so especially on larger & busier golf courses, because they endure high traffic volumes, they endure greater wear & tear / stress on the grounds & it therefore becomes more difficult to maintain. People always complain about inconsistent bunkers, how difficult is it to maintain consistent bunkers and do you implement general checks and how? It is not too difficult if you are using the correct quality of sand and being constantly vigil in maintaining the depth.

much more advanced in comparison to 15yrs ago, we can use products that help retain the moisture in the soil for longer which helps alleviate the stress from heat on the turf. How big a difference does climate and location play in golf course maintenance? It plays a huge difference as every golf January | February 2024

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