Sheppie CC virtually flood-proof
Port Shepstone Country Club has proven to be remarkably resilient in terms of drainage.
AFTER enduring a century of flooding from the Umzimkulu River, the Port Shepstone Country Club golf course has now virtually ‘acclimatised’.
One can paddle a canoe around much of the course one day and play golf again the next.
The course layout has evolved over the years to drain quickly and, thanks to the raising of some fairways, a clever system of berms and sluice gates (installed by greens keeper Jess Verster, team and knowledgeable members), there hasn’t been any problem for some time.
After the heavy rains caused havoc on the coast Tuesday this week, the course was open for play again on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after it was under water.
Barring a few puddles, it was almost as good as new.
“Our course and club facilities are situated in a flood plain so we know we are always at risk, especially when the river mouth closes,” said vice chairman Bevis Fairbrother.
He has personally canoed around the course in years gone by, going right up the third fairway on the far side.
“But we have certainly become wiser and we have a healthy arrangement with Environmental Affairs and Ugu to open the mouth if our course is threatened. In the past, club members with spades (and beer) teamed up to dig a channel at the river mouth, sometimes in the dead of night,” he said.
“We incurred the wrath of authorities once and our green keeper at the time was even arrested. “Ever since seawater backed up the river and was sucked into the South Coast’s water system a year ago, Ugu has been on our side. Problem solved.”
(Photos by Howard Crouch)
