New beginnings for Witbank Golf Club
Witbank Golf Club members and local corporates supporting the club for many years will be delighted to know that the refurbishment of the golf course has now been completed.
It is business as usual again for the club steeped in history, since its humble beginnings in 1907.
Stephan Mynhardt (club chairman) explained the process: “Former Sunshine Tour Pro Golfer Jannie Ackerman and Golf Course Consultant Theo van Rooyen were consulted in the re-design process. The back nine was closed from June 2013 until October 2013 when we were a nine-hole golf course, while the front nine has been closed from March 2014 and will re-open mid July.”
“The 18 greens were completely rebuilt, the sand bunkers re-designed and we upgraded their drainage system,” Mynhardt continued.
“Trees were cut down and the fairways resculpted, all part of the manicuring process of the course. The sprinkler system was upgraded to ensure correct watering and to incorporate our environmental water saving policy.”
Professional advice was provided by a grass consultant and fertilizer expert from Scientific Turf & Sportsfield Consultants, Dr At Schoeman. With his assistance visitors and members can now look forward to a strong, healthy and disease-free golf course.
“Without the generous financing provided by Alex Barkhuizen and Pieter van Biljon from Nedbank, we would never have been able to complete this project,” a grateful Mynhardt remarked.
87-year-old Johnnie van Gent, Witbank Golf Club’s honorary member and ex-Olympic water polo player, starts for eMalahleni on Saturday.
He looks forward to ringing in a new era for the golf club, which has seen the likes of Bobby Lock, Peter Thompson, Gary Player and Ernie Els playing in tournaments.
Witbank Golf Club is and has been open to the public since the upgrades started, but officially launches the new look club to the public on National Braai Day, September 24, with an Open Day golf celebration.
