Special Places - Gary Player Country Club

A stellar field that includes the current and two previous world number 1's together with reigning major champions CharlSchwartzel and Darren Clarke makes its way to Sun City for the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Gary Player Country Club has been host of the event since 1981, and measuring more than 7000 metres from end to end, it is one of the longest layouts in the world. Perfect kikuyu fairways and excellent bent grass greens are supported by a newly installed state of the art water reticulation system that will ensure superb year round conditioning of the golf course.

Gary Player Country Club opened for play in 1979 and for many years was the top rated layout in South Africa. The course was the first in Africa to be built to the exacting standards and specifications of the US Golf Association, and presents a difficult and demanding challenge that requires length, accuracy and stamina. With the majestic Pilanesberg Mountains as a backdrop, this immaculately groomed 7162m par 72 layout compares favourably with the very best around the world. The relatively flat nature of the course can be somewhat misleading, but water hazards, shrewdly placed bunkers and pins tucked away in the corners of clover shaped greens more than make up for the lack of elevation change. The greens complexes are noteworthy features on the course, with mounds, swales and runoff areas adding a further layer of protection to the super slick putting surfaces already guarded by strategically placed sand traps.

There are no weak holes at the Gary player Country Club. The round starts with a tough 405m par 4 where the tee shot should aim for left-centre to avoid the bunker on the right side of the fairway from which making par can be a real challenge. The 459m finishing hole is the longest of the par 4's, with a lake intimidating the tee shot and a well bunkered undulating green waiting for the mid-iron approach. In between there are some remarkable holes, none more so than the thrilling 9th, the superb 545m par 5 signature hole with an island green that is a genuine three shotter for most.

After more than thirty years Gary Player Country Club still stands head and shoulders above all but a handful of South African golf courses, and the layout continues to provide a unique and spectacular setting for Africa's Major.

Golfweather Editorial