Exciting upgrades under way at Sabi River Sun golf course – nine holes open
Undoubtedly one of the true jewels of the South African golfing scene, the Sabie River golf course is located in the lush green countryside outside Hazyview.
Much to the delight of golfers who enjoy Sabi River Sun, the course is now officially open.
Even though lockdown regulations allow for it to be so, it is currently undergoing improvements, thus players are only able to enjoy the back nine, at a set amount of just under R300, until further notice. Hole 17 is also undergoing an upgrade and your short game comes into play as this is now a (supposedly easy) 86-metre par three.
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“It is still a work in progress, but it is expected to be completed by December, when we expect it to play well,” said the general manager of the resort, Malcolm Bone.
Undoubtedly one of the true jewels of the South African golfing scene, the Sabie River golf course is located in the lush green countryside outside Hazyview. In 1954 the local farmers created a nine-hole golf course. During those early days the course was very rough and the grass was mowed occasionally when a local had spare time, they allowed cows to graze freely to assist in keeping the fairway playable.
The Sabi River Bungalows Golf Club was officially formed in 1972 with Roy Hurndle elected as chairperson, Willem Visser captain and Eric Brotherton president.
In 1991 under the Southern Sun management, the course was lengthened to 18 holes. This was enabled by purchasing land adjacent to the existing time share resort. There are only four, 18-hole layouts in the exquisitely beautiful Lowveld, namely Mbombela, White River, Leopard Creek and Sabi River Sun.
The greens were replanted with Paspalum vaginatum, but proved problematic over the years. In 2011 the Sabi River Sun board, under whose auspices the course is managed, decided to redo the greens to USGA standards. This was successfully done by Pains Landscaping.
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The board decided to bring the entire golf experience up to the same level as the world-class, famous Sabi River Sun resort. This meant building a unique and magnificent clubhouse complex, concrete golf carts paths were built on the course and Golf Data was appointed to reshape and redesign the greens, to change holes to facilitate more continuous play.
This multimillion rand contract is to be completed by December. The greens are to be planted with champion 12 grass and the surrounds with Barbados grass, the same as Leopards Creek’s.
The layout of the course is scenic and extremely challenging. The golf course is relatively short in distance – 5 778 metres and 528 metres above sea level. Water comes into play on 15 of the holes in the form of a network of big and small dams as well as the Sabie River.
This is game country and dozens of hippos, crocodiles and leguans are permanent residents in the main dam next to the 16th hole. Birdlife is both vast and varied. Special tours are provided to see all aspects of animal life on the course. The golf course has had many successful tournaments and club tournaments during the years.
