SCROLL DOWN
FAIRWAYS & BEYOND
WILD COAST SUN COUNTRY CLUB
Explore one of South Africa’s golfing treasures and its magnificent surrounds. BenKarpinski
The golfing coastline of KwaZulu-Natal dishes up some truly spectacular offerings. From the northern reaches of Princes Grant downwards, you have such a variety of golfing experiences and other natural attractions to enjoy.
We are focusing on the southern tip of this region, with the ever-enticing Wild Coast Country Club and surrounds. Generally grouped with the KZN courses, as you venture over the Mtamvuna River bridge to get to the club, you are in fact in the Eastern Cape.
Much like Sun City in the late 1970s, the course and resort were created in a remote area quite a distance from any major hub. Opened in 1983, it was affectionately known as Casino Beach, with its first professional golf tournament held in 1984. Seve Ballesteros was in the field where he finished third to Mark McNulty, who went on to have tremendous success at the course over the years in a variety of tournaments.
DID YOU KNOW?
Wild Coast Sun Country Club hosted a prestigious Vodacom Origins of Golf event in October, which was won by Jonathan Broomhead. He shot a fantastic seven-under-par 63 to secure a place in the playoff, which he subsequently won, for his second Sunshine Tour title.
Gallery below
EXPLORE THE COURSE...
VISIT NOW
ABOUT THE COURSE
As a golf course, pretty much everything about the layout is unique. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, the front nine has magnificent sea views, while the back nine is a little more expansive as you head inland. Uncharacteristically short by today’s standards at 5 329m, it features six stunning par threes, and no really long par fours.
In benign conditions it is a pretty receptive course to good scoring, but when the wind invariably picks up, it is anything but.
Like all courses, Wild Coast CC has gone through its lifecycle of peaks and troughs, but with the recruitment of golf operations manager JC Coetzer from Sun City in August, there are exciting things ahead for this iconic club.
Golf operations manager, JC Coetzer
Tasked with taking the Wild Coast golf experience into a new era, Coetzer is certainly the man for the job. Not afraid of rolling up his sleeves for the cause, he is also overseeing the role of greenkeeper.
Appointing a new service provider on the course maintenance side, including a dedicated greenkeeper, is one of his first major tasks to tackle. This will help with getting the course back to its best, and beyond.
Along with this, new irrigation systems for the tees and greens are going to provide some pleasing improvements, along with a new fleet of golf carts. The club was one of the first to offer carts in the 1980s, and Coetzer is very much for improving guest experiences wherever possible.
He and his team are also passionate about bringing more golfing experiences to the region. Ongoing community tournaments are one such measure, with the monthly Ocean Breeze Open getting locals to the club. Juniors accompanying adults play for free, allowing them to learn the game on the holes that many of the game’s famous names have passed.
“Wild Coast has all the makings of being a top club and course in the country, and getting it there while strengthening the region’s golf experiences as a whole is something I’m looking forward to,” says Coetzer.
SHOOT THE BREEZE
The Ocean Breeze Open kicks off with a shotgun start at 8:30am, ensuring a lively atmosphere right from the start. Greenfees include a shared golf cart for your convenience. After the game, you can enjoy a delicious curry lunch during the prizegiving ceremony, where winners are celebrated in style. Space is limited, so make sure you book your spot!
VISIT NOW
Gallery below
beyond the course
Stepping outside the golf club, there is a host of experiences to plan a trip around.
Mac Banana
An institution in the area that has provided fun for the whole family for 20 years. Mac Banana is a shopping and entertainment destination with three restaurants and over 20 activities on offer, including archery and adventure golf.
Beaver Creek Coffee Estate
The estate offers a daily crop-to-cup tour at 12:00, getting you well acquainted with what goes into making the perfect cup of coffee. There is also a restaurant for scrumptious local meals, and a chance to purchase coffee and coffee equipment to take home.
The world’s smallest desert
A mere 200m in diameter, the Red Desert in the heart of the Red Desert Nature Reserve contrasts bizarrely with the local tropical vegetation. A hike in the Red Desert Nature Reserve gets you up close to this international protected heritage site. It can also be enjoyed on mountain bikes, with access to magnificent views over the Umtamvuna Estuary from the cliff tops.
Umtamvuna Nature Reserve
A trip into the Umtamvuna Gorge and further into the nature reserve gets you away from it all. You may be lucky enough to see endangered Cape Vultures nesting, along with other striking bird species. If you time it right, you can also enjoy local flowers in bloom after the first Spring rains.
Wild Waves Water Park
For some extra good clean fun, returning back to the Wild Coast Sun brings with it the attraction of the Wild Waves Water Park. Designed to international aquatic park standards, there is something for everyone, from adrenaline-pumping rides to a leisurely lazy river.
IMAGES: TYRONE WINFIELD/SUNSHINE TOUR/SUPPLIED