Pitching for par | Sabie Country Club

The Sabie Country Club is tucked between gigantic mountains on a property that has just enough level ground for the cosy clubhouse. As for the rest of the course, let’s just say it has its ups and downs.

According to Dick Claunch, current manager of the club, the Sabie golf course is probably the most scenic course north of Cape Town and has much better weather. But this little 9 hole is not to be taken lightly as it is known for putting even the most confident players in their place. Even Dick lost some ground on his score cards. “Before I moved here I stayed on the White River course and back then I was a 1 handicap. Since moving here and playing this course I’ve never been able to even get close to a 1 again.”

Historically

Dick was told by a historian that the club is 90 years old this year. The history of the club is somewhat sketchy but it is known that the current clubhouse was built in the 1950s by an American who was involved with mining in the area. Before that the clubhouse was at Glynn Hall which is the reason why the first tee box is over in the corner of the property and not at the current clubhouse.

More recently

About five years ago Dick put together a group of investors and interested people and tendered for the management of the club. At the time things weren’t looking so good for the club and it was in dire need of some attention.

So far some R2million was invested in the property just to get everything in better shape. “We have to date painted some 16 000 litres of paint on the buildings, roofs and features. We brought some new furniture and bought a lawn mower from Leopard Creek to get the course on par. At first we had to cut the rough four times to get it down to three inches. We had to hire extra guys to rake up all the grass cuttings and the lawn mower chewed up hundreds of lost balls,” comments Dick, adding that, “We also widened some fairways and narrowed others and now keep them all at three quarters of an inch.”

While Dick gets hands on with the day to day upkeep of everything, his daughter, Leanne, takes care of the marketing and paperwork side of things. She also decided to make the club more wife and child friendly. “It’s a family gathering place as much as it is a golf course. We have many specials and treats like our pizza nights every Friday which has really become very popular,” she explains. Dick adds that she also came up with the idea of the kids play areas which has a lovely jungle gym and trampoline outside as well as an indoor play area.

The course

What makes the course somewhat challenging is the combination of all the big trees and some rather narrow fairways. “Many players don’t like to play here because they say it is too difficult and technical,” says Dick. The course is however well known and many players like to test themselves against this formidable little beast. Ever since Dick took over the club has grown substantially from just 15 members in 2010 to 180 today. “We like to keep the club a friendly place and we always welcome visitors.”

Find out more

Members pay just R60 for 9 holes R100 for 18 which really make it worth joining the club. For more information, fees or bookings call 013 764 2282 or mail sabieadmin@telkomsa.net