Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality said Glendower Golf Course is responsible for maintaining the Glendower Stream which has caused great concern for the host of the SA Open.
The NEWS reported in August that the Glendower Golf Course greenkeeper, Mike Burnard, raised concerns regarding the stream which cuts through the course.
The internationally known golf course and home to the SA Open had numerous problems because of the Glendower Stream. Some of these problems included soil erosion, an increase in silt washed down the stream, water pollution and flooding.
EMM then commented that site visits would have to be conducted in order to provide an adequate response.
Also read: SA Open host under threat
Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for EMM, also said the municipality was not aware of these concerns until the media enquiry.
“We will provide technical advice on what the golf club can do to address the concerns but it is the responsibility of the Glendower Golf Club to maintain the stream on their property,” said Gadebe.
Gadebe said during a site visit, together with the caretaker of the course, locations, where soil erosion had occurred, were identified.
Gadebe said at the sites “there was a need to maintain already installed erosion control measures”.
“It is the responsibility of the golf course to maintain and stabilise the banks in their area. In terms of the pollution, there is a need to regularly monitor the stream so that the main sources can be identified and stopped,” said Gadebe.
He added that through monitoring the stream the amount of sewage in the stream could also be reduced.
Gadebe said because the golf course is in an urban area it receives a lot of water, however, to avoid flooding the course would need to make use of an expert to design their erosion control structures to handle bigger floods.
“The expert will also be able to advise on the silt load of the stream and measures that can be employed to mitigate against siltation,” said Gadebe.
He said the request for a silt trap should have been made to the city’s roads and stormwater department.
“If the SA Open were not to be held at Glendower, the City of Ekurhuleni would lose on a lot of economic investment and the tourism value brought about by hosting this event. Furthermore, the city would not receive the worldwide media coverage that comes with the tournament being hosted in Ekurhuleni,” said Gadebe.
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