Situated west of Johannesburg in the delightful suburb of Ruimsig - loosely translated as ‘’spacious views” in Afrikaans - Roodepoort Country Club is a Gary Player design of exceptional quality.

Opened in 1986, it once hosted the now defunct Nissan Skins Matches where Gary Player and three other invited professionals fought battle over two days for big money. The event was played in a carnival atmosphere with huge hospitality marquees and beer tents situated at various locations around the course. The Winston Aerobatic Team provided spectators and players alike with a stunning display of high speed, precision aeronautical manoeuvres before the action began in earnest on the first tee. One year long-hitting American John Daly and South Africa’s Wayne Westner were given the chance to win a Ferrari for eagling the short par four 13th. Westner missed the green pin high left and Daly drove the green only to leave his putt an agonising half inch short of the hole for the eagle which would have given him the keys to the flaming red sports car! This deceivingly open layout requires accuracy from the tee in order to avoid well placed fairway bunkering, with bands of kikuyu semi and fescue rough awaiting any wayward shots. The well guarded medium-sized USGA Spec Bentgrass greens are super quick with some severe undulations demanding excellent reading skills and a silky smooth putting stroke. Touted as a future South African Open venue, this typical Player design offers a tough but fair challenge to golfers of all levels.

The stunning variety of birdlife which inhabit the course, use ponds and irrigation lakes as gathering places with colourful indigenous trees, shrubs, wild flowers and exotic plantlife creating the perfect backdrop for a pleasant round of golf.

This fine venue has full bar, restaurant and conference facilities and is serviced by a highly efficient, friendly staff. Panoramic vistas of the course and surrounding areas are on view from the large clubhouse verandah making a possibly long and difficult Nineteenth Hole perhaps not such a hardship!

Review by William Wilson of Egoli Golf