Golfing great Gary Player dropped in for a round at the Umhlali Country Club at the weekend and was full of praise for the course.

South Africa’s greatest ever golfer was spotted at the club on Saturday morning after he was invited to play a round with his son-in-law.

In a video recorded after he finished, Player admitted he initially expected the course to be below standard.

“I don’t know why I thought that and I came here with all these preconceived ideas,” said Player.

“The golf course is one of the biggest shocks I’ve had. It is a magnificent course – not a nice course, magnificent!”

Player praised the par-3s as particular standouts, only querying the placement of the greenside tree on the par-4 12th hole.

“All in all we had a lovely day. There is a great atmosphere and ambience to this club,” he said.

“If you’re a member here, then you’re very lucky.”

He closed by urging parents to get their children into golf, citing it as one of the only sports that can be played throughout one’s life.

Renowned golf course designer Peter Matkovich redesigned the course from its original nine holes to a full 18-hole course in 1975, after working as the club professional, playing professional and course superintendent. This was Matkovich’s first venture into designing and building golf courses.

Matkovich has since completed more than 20 world-class golf courses and renovated more than 20 others, cementing him as one of the leading designers in Southern Africa.

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