Welcome to Mbombela Golf Club

Nelspruit Golf Club was founded in November 1928 and moved to its present location in 1939. The bushveld course is a Bob Grimsdell design, built among rocky outcrops of land in the suburbs of Nelspruit, and the course has a curious history. It was originally a 9-hole golf course for nearly 30 years before Grimsdell returned to complete the second nine in 1967-68. The course was left largely untouched until 1998 when Peter Matcovitch upgraded the course and the adjacent “Matumi Golf Estate” was established.

The club changed its name in August 2017 to Mbombela Golf Club as part of a transformation and development program which embraced the African naming of the town previously known as Nelspruit.

Mbombela (Nelspruit) is the capital city of the province of Mpumalanga. The city lies in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River, 330km (205.06 miles) east of Johannesburg in the hot and humid Lowveld.

The history of this beautiful, fast growing metropolitan area dates back to 1892 with the construction of a railway station up the Crocodile river valley. Built on a farm owned by the Nel family, the place Nelspruit (Nel stream) attracted traders and farmers in high profile because of the natural richness of the soil, adequate water for irrigation and a level valley floor.

Mbombela Golf Club is famous for hosting the annual Jock of the Bushveld Festival of Golf, considered the biggest amateur tournament of its kind in the world. Started in 1968, it has grown to the extent where some 800 amateurs from far and wide play more than 2 000 rounds during a week in May.

In close proximity to the club is the Kruger National Park. This is one of the world’s biggest and best-stocked game reserves, with Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) present in abundant numbers. The  Malelane Gate, southern access to the Kruger Park, is about 60km (37.28 miles) away and is a must visit for both international and local visitors after their game of golf with us.

Renowned for its excellent putting surfaces, magnificent bird life, warm hospitality and efficient service, Mbombela Golf Club is a great golfing destination easily located off three major routes.

Our very own Sand Bar & Bistro offers scrumptious meals and caters for events so make sure to visit our page here for more details on how you can book out the venue!

We look forward to you joining our family and wish you happy golfing,

Regards,

Darren Plumb

Chief Executive Officer

Mbombela Golf Club

The Ultimate Bushveld Golfing Experience – Home of The Jock!

Welcome to Mbombela Golf Club

Nelspruit Golf Club was founded in November 1928 and moved to its present location in 1939. The bushveld course is a Bob Grimsdell design, built among rocky outcrops of land in the suburbs of Nelspruit, and the course has a curious history. It was originally a 9-hole golf course for nearly 30 years before Grimsdell returned to complete the second nine in 1967-68. The course was left largely untouched until 1998 when Peter Matcovitch upgraded the course and the adjacent “Matumi Golf Estate” was established.

The club changed its name in August 2017 to Mbombela Golf Club as part of a transformation and development program which embraced the African naming of the town previously known as Nelspruit.

Mbombela (Nelspruit) is the capital city of the province of Mpumalanga. The city lies in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River, 330km (205.06 miles) east of Johannesburg in the hot and humid Lowveld.

The history of this beautiful, fast growing metropolitan area dates back to 1892 with the construction of a railway station up the Crocodile river valley. Built on a farm owned by the Nel family, the place Nelspruit (Nel stream) attracted traders and farmers in high profile because of the natural richness of the soil, adequate water for irrigation and a level valley floor.

Mbombela Golf Club is famous for hosting the annual Jock of the Bushveld Festival of Golf, considered the biggest amateur tournament of its kind in the world. Started in 1968, it has grown to the extent where some 800 amateurs from far and wide play more than 2 000 rounds during a week in May.

In close proximity to the club is the Kruger National Park. This is one of the world’s biggest and best-stocked game reserves, with Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) present in abundant numbers. The  Malelane Gate, southern access to the Kruger Park, is about 60km (37.28 miles) away and is a must visit for both international and local visitors after their game of golf with us.

Renowned for its excellent putting surfaces, magnificent bird life, warm hospitality and efficient service, Mbombela Golf Club is a great golfing destination easily located off three major routes.

Our very own Sand Bar & Bistro offers scrumptious meals and caters for events so make sure to visit our page here for more details on how you can book out the venue!

We look forward to you joining our family and wish you happy golfing,

Regards,

Darren Plumb

Chief Executive Officer

Mbombela Golf Club

The Ultimate Bushveld Golfing Experience – Home of The Jock!

Golfing and Events

Nelspruit Golf Club was founded in November 1928 and moved to its present location in 1939 and was renamed recently to Mbombela Golf Club.

We also offer an in-house restaurant and venue hire with catering called The Sand Bar & Bistro with scenic views of the course and the Lowveld

We invite one and all for a great day out at our amazing golf course and clubhouse!

Mbombela Golf Club Course Details & Layout 

The bushveld course is a Bob Grimsdell design, built among rocky outcrops of land in the suburbs of Nelspruit, and the course has a curious history. It was a 9-holer for nearly 30 years before Grimsdell returned to complete a second nine in 1967-68. The course was left largely untouched until 1998 when Peter Matcovitch upgraded the course and the adjacent “Matumi Golf Estate” was established.

With a par of 71 and measuring 6 063 metres it is not long or overly difficult to play, but Mbombela Golf Course has an unusual start to the front nine in that the first is a par 4, the second a par 5, the third a par 3, the fourth a par 5 and the fifth a par 3, before closing off with four straight par 4s.

The back nine, save for the two par 3’s on 13 and 17, is either played uphill or downhill, with the signature hole being the 498-metre 14th, the only par 5 on the back nine. From an elevated tee, a generous tree-lined fairway runs away gradually to a green surrounded by bunkers. There is the option of going for the green in two, but for high handicappers the safe bet is to lay up.

Men’s Course & Slope

Ladies Course & Slope

VIEW MAP HERE

The Sand Bar & Bistro

We also offer an in-house restaurant and venue hire facility.

For the most exquisite scenic view of the Lowveld and unmatched rates for your next function, then view The Sand Bar & Bistro’s site here for details of our menu and how to book for all types of functions.

The Jock History

In 1967 J.J. Van Rensburg and Rip Riphagen created a new topic of conversation in the pub at the Nelspruit Golf Club – a place where most bright ideas originate. Lively discussion ensued amongst the “manne ” for many a memorable evening with major contributions from Christo Basson and Ken Myers and the concept of Jock was born.

The idea was taken to Committee where it was met with very mixed feelings, however, months of pub discussions had armed the proponents of Jock with very persuasive arguments and Jock’s birth became official.

The first Jock was played from Thursday to Sunday and consisted of two 18 hole competitions each day with the 36 hole Lowveld Open on the Sunday. In 1969 Jock was extended to include Wednesday. It was not unusual in those early jocks for players to be called to the tee for the afternoon competition while still battling up the 18th hole of the morning round.In 1973 the tournament was changed to its present format, including  the Tuesdays from 1977 and the Monday from 1981.

A feature of the first Jock was the presence of Bobby Locke who entertained us with his ukulele until 4.00am on Sunday morning then curled up in the lounge and went to sleep. He was awakened for his tee off time but informed Ken Myers that he required some “hair of the dog”. He duly retired to the pub for a “few” gins after which the old maestro recorded a 141 gross for the day and Ken retired to bed – for the day!

Jock has not only survived since those early days, indeed it has prospered and since 1969 the tournament has been oversubscribed each year. Currently approximately 2 000 rounds of golf are played over the week by 800 competitors and it is reputed to be the largest amateur tournament of its kind in the world.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then it speaks volumes that even with the advent of the “Barberton Daisy” the “Lalapalm”, the “Kameeldoring” and numerous other similar tournaments, the Jock retains its reputation for being the best.

It is not just a golf tournament but a meeting place where friendships are made and renewed some spanning the entire 20 years.

The Jock will be celebrating it’s 52nd anniversary from the 28 April to 5 May 2019

2019 Jock Entry Form

Come and play at Mbombela Golf Club for the Ultimate Bushveld Golfing Experience !