‘Golf Coast’ enjoys summer season upswing
Sunny days, reasonable rates and superbly conditioned courses have all combined to make for a really good summer season for the South Coast's golf industry.
The Golf Coast has had an upswing, if you’ll pardon the pun, during the recent holiday season.
Reports from the five 18-hole clubs on the lower South Coast were very positive, despite the economic challenges the country is facing at the moment.
WILD COAST SUN CC
Fred Beaver said the resort was very much back on track after some challenges last year, which included certain greens being vandalised.
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“We were lucky with the weather and ended up doing ‘ok’, with rounds and revenue fractionally up on last year,” he said.
Overall, it was a good result and the Wild Coast was optimistic it would show some growth in the coming year.
“The condition of the course is quite honestly the best it’s been for a couple of years,” remarked Fred.
SAN LAMEER CC
Golf director Meyer du Toit said the estate course had a phenomenal season, probably its best ever, with rounds up by more than 20 percent.
“The weather was good, but not too good. If it’s too good visitors go straight to the beach, but it was cloudy in the mornings so many played golf first.”
Du Toit said the clubhouse has also become a hub for visitors to meet and eat, with sushi and pizza on the menu.
He added that the staff had been on top of their game and that this had all played a role.
“We’ve also made the course a bit more player-friendly. If it’s too tough visitors will play it once and then go elsewhere.”
SOUTHBROOM GOLF CLUB:
Golf director Derek James said rounds had been up by a few hundred in December.
“They’ve been up since October when we co-hosted the KwaZulu-Natal Interclub tournament, and from a bit before that as well.”
He said the weather had been great and was definitely a factor. “Not being interrupted by rain, except for one Wednesday, was nice.”
“There was also a big upswing in the clubhouse, thanks to the sterling efforts of the staff,” said James.
MARGATE COUNTRY CLUB
Club pro Andrew Curlewis, who is still campaigning on the Sunshine Tour, said the club has had the best season in a while.
He said rounds were up by 11 percent, with the food and beverages more than double that.
“It’s probably because the golf course is in much better condition. Hopefully, things have started to turn around.”
Curlewis added it was fantastic to see young children being brought to the club by their fathers (usually), chipping and putting on the practice green and sometimes going out for a few holes.
PORT SHEPSTONE CC
Golf pro Jesse Verster said the club had experienced a much better season than the previous one and was probably up 15 percent.
“It’s been ‘lekker’ for a change. We were worried before the season but now can say we have been blessed,” he said.
Verster also felt that cheaper prices (compared to the Cape and perhaps the North Coast) had played a role, too.
“People love coming to the coast, not just for the golf. They say it’s ‘rustig’ and like being able to walk around in shorts and slops, and not having to obey too many heavy rules.”
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