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Published: June 28th 2017
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Since moving to South Africa back in February this year, I have to admit, I've been indulging a little bit golf wise! Why not?!? I can easily say today that South Africa is currently the best country when it comes to quality/price ratio for golfing. And there must be well over 500 golf courses to play all over the country!
Maybe one day I'll be lucky to be able to declare that I have play all the courses the country has to offer. For the moment, I'm happy to play as many of the best 100 golf courses the country has to offer! This week, my girls not being at home, I drove all the way to Pretoria for some serious golf.
I stay for few nights at the Sheraton in Pretoria. The hotel is an old classic. They could do way better in terms of service, but I have to admit it's a solid bargain. And now, when I need a decent steak, the french GM nicely go to the kitchen to make sure it's done properly...isn't it all about contacts! Smile!
So I dropped Tiffany at school on Sunday mid-afternoon,
and I was in Pretoria just before 9pm. I have to admit, driving 8 hours in a single day is not what I prefer, but it is actually pretty similar to go back down to Durban to catch a plane to Joburg than picking up another car to drive to Pretoria.
Monday I play Silver Lakes in Pretoria, Tuesday, it was the Gary Player Course in Sun City, Wednesday, Serengeti course next to Joburg airport, and Thursday it was the Centurion golf Estate.
Silver Lakes and Centurion are both estates. This means huge compound where the wealthy live surrounded but serious security. After all, Joburg and Pretoria area are still considered are some of the most dangerous places in the world. It is here that you can see at it's highest point the difference between those who have and the majority that don't have in South Africa. Touring these streets, on private roads, you could as well feel you were in Miami!
I play alone in Silver Lakes, course was pretty empty...it's a Monday, people work here! Centurion was a busy affair on Thursday. I share my game with three seriously
good local players. We play from the Championship tees....anyone for a 489 meters par 4! Due to altitude, the ball if flying further with the thin air....but 489 meters for a par 4....that's a struggle...and I'm not a short hitter!
On Tuesday, I drove the short of two hours West to Sun City. I did play the Lost City course few years ago, but never the top Gray Player Course. The course is ranked by Golf Digest at the 99th place this year...that's 99th in the World. Only two other South African golf courses are in that best 100, the Links at Fancourt and Leopard Creek, and I did play both already!
I expected a crowded course, and it was the opposite. There was close to nobody. It's a walking alone course...either you carry your own bag or you take a caddy. I carry! green Fee was 58usd including a gourmet sandwich and soft drink at the 9th hole. I can tell you, this is a serious bargain....you will not find this kind of deal in the States....Pebble Beach is 600usd...a round...per player! Having stay in Sun City before, I have to admit, I'm
more than happy to simply drive in the place just to play golf...because hotels here are way over-rated!
On Wednesday, I drove the 40 minutes South to Serengeti. This is another Estate, and they still have a lot of construction going around. The course has hosted the SA Open in 2011 and 2012. It's just a monster, and a seriously beautiful one. I play pretty well the front nine before getting catch back by the reality of how difficult the course here. Damage here is a green fee at 38usd including a nice chicken salad lunch as well as a golf cart....you speak of a bargain for sure a level of golf excellence.
Total damage...128usd for 4 courses, two lunches, one golf cart. In Europe, that would have been for one single green fee. yes, I love this country! So more trips on the golf courses are planed or in the planing! Tomorrow, I'm playing the course ranked 5th in the country....I'm going to suffer...again, but my golf game loves it!
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