Now in its 115th edition, this week’s South African Open – golf’s second oldest national open behind The Open, first played as a formal event in 1903 – is being hosted by Stellenbosch Golf Club for just the second time.
In 1999, 27 years ago, home favourite David Frost won the title at the club at which he grew up and used to caddie for his father. Much has changed to South Africa’s fourth oldest golf club since then, with the course lengthened to play at 7,268 yards as a par 70. A total of 15 tee boxes have been upgraded, with ten of these built new or reconstructed, and five resurfaced.
All 44 bunkers on the course have also been upgraded, and more trees have been planted in strategic areas on several holes. As part of the upgrades to the layout agreed last year, a dam near the 18th green has also been enlarged to make for an even more spectacular finish and to enhance the strategy on the hole.
Article Link: First look: Stellenbosch GC ready to play host