Gonubie Golf Club
You will find this delightful coastal 9 holer just fifteen minutes from the centre of East London. Gonubie Golf Club was opened in 1968 when a group of young men led by Rex Faulkner and a Mr. Collicott got together to create their own course on a vacant piece of land. Their combined skill and passion has created a fine test of golf on the nine-hole linkslike course, carved out of the indigenous coastal bush just a couple of hundred metres from the sea. Milkwood and Banana trees add to the defences of this course whose major “resistance-to-low-scoring” is the notorious westerly wind that whips off the sea. There are ocean views from more than half the holes and different tees for the front and back nine give the course enough variety to ensure that two loops of the nine holes make for a pleasant 18-hole, par-72 course.
The course starts pleasantly enough with a relatively simple 336-metre par-four opening hole, but it soon bares its teeth with the stroke-one par-four at over 400 metres on the very next hole. Look out for the picturesque feature holes, which are the par-five 16th and the par-four 9th/18th. The 9th/18th is a classic risk-and-reward hole, which, at just over 300 metres from the men’s tee, is very driveable, especially when the westerly is assisting from behind. The large green is shaped like a back-to-front “F” and measures some 300 square metres, which is not that large by today’s luxurious estate-course standards, but for a small nine-hole course is pretty substantial. The green is well guarded by large Milkwood trees that encroach on the putting surface, while the water hazard behind the green will swallow anything too long. Playing this hole conservatively is the only way to ensure a par!
The par-five 16th measures over 450 metres and is a genuine three-shotter for all but the longest hitters, unless the helping westerly is particularly fresh! Even then it is a brave and accurate player who will have a go at the green in two shots as it is well guarded by the river that runs to the left and in front of it. It is also well bunkered and careful note should be made of the approach shot to the two-tiered green – putting from the wrong tier only makes things more difficult. This hole is played as a 404-metre par-four (the 7th) on the front nine and its length and difficult green make it the second lowest stroke hole on the front nine. A par on this hole, whether playing it as the 7th or the 16th, is a good score at any time.
The club prides itself on friendliness and visitors are most welcome. Among the strong group of members is the former Liverpool FC goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and older football fans will remember Bobby Braithwaite who turned out for Southampton FC many years ago.
Greenfees for affiliated visitors are a very reasonable R70 for 18 holes and there are a number of golf carts for hire at R100 per round. If you find yourself in East London and you are looking for a relaxed golfing experience, look no further than Gonubie for great value.
