Experiencing Blair Atholl golf course

There is no doubting my love and passion for the sport of golf. Ever since starting it, it has tested me in many ways and also allowed me to develop an addictive (and thoroughly enjoyable) Saturday pass-time.

“The harder you play, the luckier you get” – Gary Player

I like the way Gary puts it, however, I count myself lucky just for being able to play golf each week. You get to spend good time with friends and other people all whilst doing it amongst the backdrop of the beautiful outdoors and surroundings nature and great course architecture has to offer.

On Friday, 3 May 2019, myself and a couple of my good friends tee’d off our annual CCJ DB golf school tour at a truly majestic South African golfing experience in what I believe is one of SA’s best courses at Blair Atholl golf club and equestrian estate.

Set amongst the perfect blend of nature, lifestyle and space (around the corner from Lanseria and 15-mins from Fourways), the 18-hole Gary Player designed course is a golfing spectacle. Incase you missed it, here is the Compleat Golfer review of the course in March 2019.

As my mate and fellow golfing enthusiast Sean Crommelin (6 handicap) puts it, “This is proper! As you enter the estate, you are treated to an authentic golfing welcome that has you eagerly anticipating your first shot.”

The pre round facilities are world class, offering wood and iron warm ups on the range, a chipping and putting green and elegant golf carts to get you around the 7.5km long course.

It’s not an easy course to take on and thats what makes it so special. On the day we played off the white markers. The holes were long and each gave us something to think about (me especially as the most rookie out of the four ball). Having played the course once before, I couldn’t hide my excitement. Good or bad golf, the setting would inevitably win the day!

For my mate Brandon De Mardt (9 handicap) and who is equipped with a monster drive off the deck, he was in a dream-state when standing on first tee (Par 5).

He referred to the layout as an “Absolute dream! Every time I faced a Par 4 or 5 on the course I loved the fact you can go after your drive but make sure you kept yourself in with a good chance of a green in regulation.”

Some of the hole highlights from the course:

• Hole 1 is a beautiful Par 5 where post your first tee shot welcomes you to a downhill that leads to a green surrounded by bunkers on the left and guarded by a dam on the right. We were even treated to a family of baboons spectating!

• Hole 3 is a testament to the famous Par 3 (Hole 12) at Augusta National Golf Club which hosts the annual Masters. The hole is a Par 3 with the green guarded by a dam, downhill lawns, an upward facing back bunker and surrounding greens. It was amazing to watch my mate Richard “Juch” Juchniewicz (13 handicap) hit his hybrid 170m to land the ball onto the back of the green 8 feet from the hole and drain a well-earned birdie
• Hole 8 is a downhill par 3 with a well-crafted aerial view of the forest trees and beautiful houses. Its reward on completion is a halfway house treat down by the river on a wooden deck that offers you some downtime, a delicious chicken prego and treats
• Hole 16 is the hardest hole on the course – Stroke 1 (Par 4). A beast and over 500m long off the white markers. It takes a dog leg right and is laid out on an uphill right slanted slope that presents trouble with the rock face and river on it’s right if you prefer a fade or cut

Post the round, the shower and change room facilities are top class. The beer on the balcony overlooking the course post the round is a treat and brilliant way to end your round whilst reflecting on the moments from the day.

If you love golf and want to enjoy an amazing morning or afternoon out under the Highveld sun, Blair Atholl is a must for your golfing bucket list.

To book: Email: proshop@blairatholl.co.za Contact: 011 300 5713

We’ll be back soon, that’s for sure!