Page 41 - Summer2020GTP

STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

SOUTH AFRICA

STORIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA order of the day. The third main region is Western
Cape, or Cape Town. Stunning courses mixed in
with vineyards and mountains make this the tourist
hotspot in South Africa. Bentgrass and overseeded
rye courses are the order of the day here.

By Brandon Kotze, If there is upside to this, it is that lockdown has
SAGTF Member, occurred just after our summer season (October-
Cape Town, South Africa March), so the fruits of summer were duly
picked. Our superstars Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen,
reetings from sunny South Africa. My fellow Charl Schwartzel and Retief Goosen all have
Gprofessionals, I trust this article finds you and developments and charities in South Africa and
your family well and healthy. Never before has our have done their part, and for that we salute them.
planet seen such a far-reaching pandemic. Econ- Local professionals take their cue from them and
omies are devastated and formalise junior golf and
society has been taken to charity golf at most of the
the brink of disaster. major clubs, with Mr. Johan
Here in South Africa, it is Rupert backing Golf RSA
no different. Day 64 of total heavily in producing our
lockdown has taken its toll future stars.
on our beloved game. This Golf in South Africa
is a paradigm shift here in can be described as a
South Africa, and I am sure “golfing Mecca.” We have
the same would apply to world-class resorts and
many countries. Golf cours- some of the best layouts
es are shut, and across-the- around. Nicklaus, Player,
board layoffs are immi- Weiskopf, Sorenstam and
nent. Countries that have Norman, to name but a
opened golf are in good few, have left their mark
shape, and I fear we may on our golfing landscape.
still be a way’s off. Especially beneficial to all
We are usually a year- of this is the price. The rand
round nation with golf is a currency in need, so we
being played in three major offer some of the best you
regions. The up-country Johannesburg courses are can get for not a lot of U.S. dollars.
parkland bentgrass and notorious Kikuyu courses I have included some images of golf life in
with stunning layouts. The second would be tropical South Africa, and I do hope that you have gained
Durban courses, where golf is an absolute treat in a small insight into our game here in South Africa.
the winter. Lush vegetation and scenic golf are the

Sharing Our Passion Around The World!”
®
38
38
SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro