SPECIAL FEATURE - K Z N S O U T H CO A S T
N2 to Durban Scottburgh
Scottburgh GOLF CLUB
13 km
The KZN South Coast – A Stretch of Golfing Heaven
W
24 km
Pennington
hen describing golf courses and holiday destinations the term “hidden gem” very often becomes a cliché. However on our recent visit to the KZN south coast it became apparent that this area is a veritable diamond mine and that “hidden gems” lie everywhere along this stretch of what really is a golfing heaven.
The south coast is home to South Africa’s first residential golf estate (Selborne) and many of the great characters of the game (Derek James, Fred Beaver and Trevor Wilkes to name but a few) are south coast locals. Quite simply the KZN south coast has “staying power” and it is this endearing quality coupled with the value for money it offers, that makes it such an irresistible destination.
SELBORNE HOTEL, SPA & GOLF ESTATE UMDONI PARK GOLF CLUB
53 km
This is a 10/10 stretch of coastline with ten golf courses situated within a maximum drive of 90 minutes from one another, from the quite village of Scottburgh to the glitz and glamour of the Wild Coast Sun. 9 eighteen-hole golf courses and port shepstone 1 nine-hole golf course, there is something for everyone. The climate is sublime and the region enjoys warmth and sunshine, the air is heavy with humidity and the subtropical latitude brings with it long, hot summers with rainfall, and very mild winters.
UMKOMAAS GOLF CLUB
Umkomaas
PORT SHEPSTONE GOLF CLUB
18 km MARGATE COUNTRY CLUB
margate 15 km southbroom
4 km
SOUTHBROOM GOLF CLUB SAN LAMEER RESORT
17 km port edward
PORT EDWARD COUNTRY CLUB
7 km
WILD COAST SUN COUNTRY CLUB
What are you waiting for? Head south now!
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The birth of South Africa’s first residential golf estate
Upon his return to South Africa, he began to transform his farm into a golfing residential estate. In 1985 Denis’ dream of a luxury golfing complex at Selborne started to become a reality. In May 1987 the course was opened for play, and the very first residential golf estate in South Africa was born. Old converted railway carriages were used as the first change rooms and halfway house. The homestead turned into a Lodge with seven bedrooms and in due course a new clubhouse was built. The Golf Committee used the Lodge, the current Hotel, as the Members Club House, which operated until January 1989, when the new Club House was completed.
D
uring 1979, the magnificent Selborne Park estate, owned by the widow of the sugar magnate Vernon Crookes, came up for sale and Denis Barker bought the estate for his family home and the running of his Fayden Jersey Stud farm. In 1982 Denis led the South African delegation to the World Jersey Cattle Conference in Canada, after which they toured the USA. While visiting friends in Waterloo, Iowa he played golf at a golf housing estate for the first time which inspired his vision to create Selborne.
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Denis Barker has sadly passed on and ownership of the estate and golf course is now held by the homeowners. The hotel is run by First Group. The floods of 2008 and 2010 did considerable damage to the course however with new drainage and improved management practices it has recovered completely and once again Selborne can be considered to be the “Augusta of South Africa”. South African golfing legend Trevor Wilkes (pictured on the left with Louis Naude from SA Golf Trader) is the golf professional at Selborne. Trevor is a lifelong honorary member of the PGA of SA.
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The Greatest Shoal on Earth
I
f you find yourself on the KZN south coast over the months of June and July you might be tempted to put down the golf clubs for an hour or two and make your way down to the beach. If the conditions are right you will witness an annual phenomenon sparked by the entry of large shoals of sardines into the waters of southern KwaZulu-Natal during the winter months. Although the great bulk of South Africa’s sardine stock is to be found in the cooler Cape waters, each winter a small proportion of the stock moves eastwards up the Wild Coast. These shoals take advantage of cool water on the continental shelf of the east coast that occurs seasonally as a narrow band between
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the coast and the warm, southward flowing Agulhas Current. In terms of biomass, researchers estimate that the sardine run could rival East Africa’s great wildebeest migration. The shoals are often more than 7 km long, 1.5 km wide and 30 metres deep and are clearly visible from spotter planes or from the surface. It is a time of plenty for all as humans join sharks, gamefish, marine mammals and birds in a feeding orgy. At this time of year you should also consider playing in the highly popular Sardine Run Golf Tournament. Hosted by Scottburgh Golf Club in association with Umkomaas and Selborne golf clubs this annual event is always a huge success.
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Something for everyone
“G
olf widows” can take heart – the south coast abounds with rewarding opportunities, you can discover the mysteries of Zulu and Indian cultures, shop for authentic handicrafts, browse museums and galleries, visit artists and other creative folk in their inspirational studio retreats, pursue the gentle pastimes of bird watching and shell collecting, or just watch the passing parade from a sophisticated sidewalk café. On the other hand, pit your luck and holiday money against the Wild Coast casino’s one-armed bandits and gaming tables.
The bar at Pumula Beach Hotel “a very impressive collection”
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For the real adventure seekers there is white-water rafting, rock-climbing, mountain biking and one of the world’s highest abseil and cable-slide locations.
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Upcoming Sunshine Tour events on the KZN south coast Sun Wild Coast Sun Challenge (22nd August – 24th August) Venue: Wild Coast Sun Country Club Prize money: R800 000 Defending champion: Oliver Bekker
Vodacom Origins (KZN Region) (30TH August – 1st September) Venue: Selborne Park Golf Club Prize money: R800 000
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Fred Beaver SPECIAL FEATURE - K Z N S O U T H CO A S T
– Mr Wild Coast Sun Country Club
F
red Beaver has been the only PGA professional at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club since it opened its doors in September 1982. In the early days Fred worked at the Circle Country Club in Durban, then he moved to Empangeni in Zululand and then back to Circle as the official club pro and owner of his own shop. In March of 1980 he moved to the Royal Swazi Sun but then the Wild Coast offer came up and the rest like they say is history!
Fred was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where he spent his formative years playing as much golf as possible and getting into and out of trouble with none other than Tony Johnstone. “We were juveniles on the verge of delinquency” says Fred with a laugh. He also played junior golf with Nick Price and Dennis Watson as well as Mark McNulty. The highlight of Fred’s junior career was winning the Rhodesian Boys strokeplay and matchplay titles in 1973. Fred Beaver enjoys life to its fullest and his warm personality and love for the game play a large role in ensuring that the Wild Coast Sun Country Club remains as popular as ever. Fred Beaver and Benji Leonard
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