The Drakensberg & KZN Midlands

The

Drakensberg

& KZN Midlands Winterton

Cathedral Peak Hotel Champagne Sports Resort Gooderson Monks Cowl Resort

Giants Castle Game Reserve Mooi River

Nottingham Road Maloti-Drakensberg Park

Bosch Hoek

Gowrie Farm

Howick

Premier Resort Sani Pass Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens

Underberg

Underberg

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The

L

Drakensberg

ying roughly mid-way between Johannesburg and Durban, the Drakensberg and KZN Midlands encompass a large and very diverse area. From the soaring mountain peaks of the Drakensberg to the green, misty surrounds of the Midlands this beautiful part of our country is an ideal breakaway for golfing enthusiasts as there are no less than eight golf courses to choose from.

& KZN Midlands Winterton

Cathedral Peak Hotel Champagne Sports Resort Gooderson Monks Cowl Resort

Giants Castle Game Reserve Mooi River

Nottingham Road Maloti-Drakensberg Park

Bosch Hoek

Gowrie Farm

Howick

Premier Resort Sani Pass Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens

Underberg

Underberg

The golf courses on offer vary considerably but each offers something unique. In the Northern and central “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.

In the Southern “Berg” you will find a lovely 18-hole 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.

The Midlands boast two of the best 9-hole golf courses in South Africa. Bosch Hoek just off the N3 must have the best putting surfaces (of any) golf course in South Africa and Gowrie Farm situated in Nottingham Road is an absolute gem.

Read on and find out more about these golf courses as well as the best places to stay when you are in the area…

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Champagne Sports Resort – The sparkling crown of the Central Drakensberg

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ounded in 1996, Champagne Sports Resort has over the past 22 years clearly established itself as the resort of choice for those visiting the central Drakensberg.

Swimming pools, tennis courts, a bowling green, trail running, MTB trails, a gym, a spa, basketball, volley ball, badminton, a squash court, Cathkin trails, putt - putt and of course a championship 18-hole golf course make it a mecca for holiday makers who enjoy being active.

“All in all 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. They also have conferencing facilities for up to a 1000 delegates. ”

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

On our recent visit we teed off on a Monday afternoon with clouds building overhead, nine The golf course (which could easily host a top holes later lightening and (very welcome) heavy event) is simply magnificent. Designed by rain forced us back into the clubhouse. As we former South African professional golfer Hugh watched the heavens opening we reflected on Baiocchi, it is tree lined with ample water just how beautiful the front nine was and also hazards and strategically placed bunkers and all how challenging. The signature par-3 fourth the while Cathkin peak and Champagne peak was a standout as well as the par-3 seventh loom large in the not too distant background. which is so pretty as to almost be unreal.

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SPECIAL FE AT U R E - T H E D R A K E N S B E R G A N D K Z N M I D L A N D S The clubhouse has been extensively renovated since we were last there and a pizza oven is a welcome addition.

With panoramic views this is surely one of the best vantage points in the country where one can enjoy a few beers and a bite to eat after a round.

Tuesday morning saw us up bright and early and tackling a back nine and course conditions significantly different to the day before. The course was noticeably greener and the greens were playing slower. With the sun shining brightly this was one of those mornings where you look around and count your blessings.

The back nine proved to be every inch as good as the front nine with standout holes being the 15th, 16th and the 18th which is a stroke 2, par-4 and a really, really good closing hole.

All in all 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. They also have conferencing facilities for up to a 1000 delegates. Highly recommended!

Contact details;

Hotel: 036 468 8000 | Spa: 072 611 1767 | Golf: 036 468 8000 | www.champagnesportsresort.com

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SUSTAINABLE GOLF IN THE DRAKENSBERG AND NATAL MIDLANDS AND AGENTS FOR CHANGE

by John Collier

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argaret Roberts in her book Sustainability: Principles and Practice published in 2017, defined sustainability as enduring into the long-term future. In this regard, during 2018 the John Collier Team once again collated environmental compliance and good governance data from many clubs in South Africa not the least being, some destination golf courses in the Drakensberg and Natal Midlands. This data will form the basis of the 12th edition of John Collier Annual Survey of South African Golf Courses which will be published in March 2019.

The John Collier Team recently visited two golf clubs in the Drakensberg and Natal Midlands, namely Champagne Sports, near Winterton and Bosch Hoek, in the Balgowan area. In discussing sustainability with management of these two courses, probably without realising it, both Trevor Livesey of Champagne Sports and Brad Ross of Bosch Hoek are working as agents for change for a more sustainable golf course. This can be seen in their data, with Champagne Sports achieving Gold Compliance Level Status in 2018. But in order to be an agent for change this takes courage, discipline, engage in big-picture thinking, and the ability to communicate, listen and collaborate.

So, to be an effective sustainable golf agent for change, club management and especially greenkeepers need to have relevant course information available to them. In this regard, clubs are encouraged to participate in the 2019 John Collier survey, the cost is negligible, as it is only your time, spent on completing the survey. If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at ajcollier@telkomsa.net. Lastly all persons involved in the turfgrass industry are encouraged to join and participate in the relevant regional Turfgrass Managers Association meetings.

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Premier Resort Sani Pass – A Fun Round of Golf in the Mountains

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e have dealt quite extensively with Premier Hotels & Resorts in the past and when their marketing team contacted us to say that they had a resort in the Southern ‘Berg” with a 9-hole golf course that they would like us to look at we were naturally interested.

They stressed the point that the course was new and that a lot of work needed to be done, we stressed the point that not everyone is looking for a championship golf course and that many people just enjoy getting out in the fresh air whilst having some fun hitting a little white ball around!

“On the accommodation side they offer rooms which feature the modern amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel in a comfortable, contemporary and spacious setting”

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Premier Resort Sani Pass is a spectacular resort nestled at the foot of the Sani Pass and on the banks of the Mkhomazana River with its fresh water coming straight from the Drakensberg Mountains. Only 19km from the town of Underberg with a road built from the Lesotho border post via the Katse & Mohali dams to Maseru and the South African border post through to Ladybrand in the Free State.

“As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round” Surrounded by mountains, the resort is the base for 4X4 excursions up the Sani Pass, which can be reserved for guests at their reception desk.

The resort also provides access to horse trails up the mountain to Lesotho as well as shorter horse rides around the property and pony

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“It’s an unpretentious golf course where you will find sheep grazing on the fairway” When we got on to the golf course it was a revelation, we had been travelling for more than 4 hours and we were in need of some relaxation and to be honest we didn’t feel like a serious round of golf. Fun, that’s what we felt like having – some fun and boy does this little 9-holer provide that.

It’s an unpretentious golf course where you will find sheep grazing on the fairways; here it is not so much about pristine putting surfaces and USGA spec bunker sand but more about enjoying the experience of playing a round of golf IN the mountains at the foot of the world famous Sani Pass.

Ben Hogan famously said “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.” Playing golf at Premier Resort reminds one of how true this is.

Contact details; Hotel: 033 702 1320 | www.premierhotels.co.za/hotels/kwazulu-natal/sani-pass/

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