Why our golf course isn’t fully operational
The Randfontein Golf Club has not been operational since April 2020. New owners, however, reassure 'we're doing everything humanly possible to restore the place to its former glory'.
Numerous questions have been raised about the current state of the Randfontein Golf Club, and whether it will be fully operational ever again.
The Herald spoke to the Randfontein Golf Club general manager Bizzah Matsobane about the situation at the club.
Bizzah explained that although the club has not been operating since April 2020 and despite having no income, the owners have been doing everything they could to get the club up and running, as well as keeping the premises reasonably maintained. In addition to the pandemic worsening the situation, there were veld fires, cable theft and break-ins at the club.
“We are doing low maintenance on the building and surroundings. We have contracted people to cut grass with tractors and remove it from the golf course. The inside of the building has also been maintained at regular intervals, but greens and fairways have been left unattended because they are expensive to maintain and there is no income from any source, including membership or green fees,” Bizzah said.
Golfers being able to use the golf course again will depend whether investors will have an appetite to re-open the golf course, he said. Should they allow the golf course to operate it will be in a different format on a limited and modern stage.
“We hope they will consider such an option that will generate some income to maintain itself and serve as a recreational asset for the Randfontein community. The new investors will have to be persuaded to seriously consider recreating and reviving the golf course and other recreational facilities to restore the area to its former recreational hub of the Randfontein community.”
He confirmed renovations would go ahead to develop the property, and all facilities will be taken into account when the envisaged developments take place.
According to Bizzah, the new plans for the course will be made public as soon as investors have finalised their plans.
“It is regrettable that members are moving to other courses. Members were informed of the closure of the course and were advised to join neighbouring golf courses without being penalised. A communique was sent out to all members to this effect.”
Apart from the bowling club, there are other activities that currently run on a low scale, like small meetings, small conferences, small private weddings and parties.
Matsobane explained the club’s main income used to be membership fees, but membership has been declining since 2018, and by the beginning of last year they were down to 200 members. The new owners have been funding the costly overheads from their own personal resources.
“Running a golf course is an expensive operation and funding has always been an issue. Very few golf courses, if any, make money from golf per se; money is generated from successful events, the bar, kitchen and other activities like concerts or conferences.”
Substantial investments are needed to get activities at the club up and running again.
“To the community of Randfontein, the new owners would like to assure everyone that they are doing everything humanly possible to restore the place to its former glory, and a facility they will be proud of.”
