Based in the plush, affluent Johannesburg suburb of Lower Houghton, Killarney Golf Club was laid out by Robert Grimsdell, a South African professional golfer, and one of the era’s prolific golf course architects in this region.

A parkland course, Killarney has one of the finest layouts in South Africa. It has played host to various Sunshine and Winter Tour events over the years and could have hosted many more. Understandably, the club members would rather have the venue to themselves! This will come as no surprise to anyone who is fortunate enough to play this fine championship golf course.

Accuracy and shape of shot are vital on the twelve outstanding par fours which present themselves to the golfer on this fine layout. Generously wide fairways, framed by majestic trees and bands of kikuyu semi and fescue rough, will reward straight hitting with the opportunity of playing medium to short irons into well guarded targets. Once there, the large, quick and undulating USGA Spec Bentgrass greens require excellent reading skills, judgment of pace, and a smooth, steady putting stroke. With water coming into play on the two par fives at Killarney, a combination of solid striking, sound course management and decision making can result in the chance of a birdie or an easy par, but this is golf, and if none of the aforementioned have been achieved, there is plenty of trouble around to snag any errant shots and high numbers are a possibility! Four stunning par threes complete this golfing masterpiece and your short game and bunker play will come under close scrutiny if you miss the ”dance floor”.

Ponds and irrigation lakes surrounded by beautiful weeping willows are gathering places for a huge and abundant variety of colourful bird life. Indigenous trees, shrubs, exotic plantlife and a diversity of wild flowers make your walk around this fantastic layout an extremely relaxed and pleasing visual experience. This course is a jewel in the crown of South African golf.

Also home to the Transvaal Automobile Club, Killarney’s palatial clubhouse offers full bar, restaurant and conference facilities and is serviced by highly skilled, friendly staff who like to see their guests have fun on the golf course and enjoy a challenging nineteenth hole afterwards!

Review by William Wilson of Egoli Golf