A classic in the city of lakes
Founded as Van Ryn Golf Club in 1906, like most clubs on the East Rand, Benoni Country Club came into existence due to the discovery of gold, and it was originally a facility established for the employees of the Van Ryn mine. This club’s history predates most of the golfing facilities in the greater Johannesburg area and, although it began its life as a nine-holer, no time was wasted in extending the layout to 18 holes. Even before golf had taken root at the likes of ERPM, Crown Mines, CMR, Houghton, Observatory, Modderfontein and State Mines, the golf club at Benoni was up and running, and it has shown no sign of slowing down since.
It is unfortunate that records of the club’s earliest history have been lost, and it is not known who actually laid out the original course, but whoever it was certainly knew what they were doing. Various changes have been made over the years, at one point Bob Grimsdell had a hand in a revamp, and later the greens complexes and bunkers were modernised by Rob O’Friel.
Character
The basic character of the course still remains ‘old-school parkland’ – rather flat and well-wooded, but set up for championship play, the layout has stood the test of time. Most pleasing is the strong country character of the course, which may be surrounded by suburbia, but it is no way cramped, and sensible routing has allowed for the holes to be well separated.
There was certainly no shortage of land in this area when the course was first laid out, and fortunately the original designers made good use of it. Unfortunately, the management of the mine, with the best of intentions at the time, planted a forest of gum trees, presumably believing that they could add character to their new course and have a stock of valuable wood on hand to shore up their subterranean tunnels. The course has lived with these thirsty aliens ever since, and quite recently it was discovered that the roots had travelled under some of the greens causing something of a headache.
Icons
The suburb of Benoni has produced an impressive list of sportsmen and women over the years, and besides being the birthplace of Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron, the city has also been home to two world champion boxers (Vic Toweel, South Africa’s first, and later Brian Mitchell). The great wicketkeeper/batsman Dennis Lindsay came from Benoni, as did many renowned soccer players and athletic stars, and of course a long list of great golfers played their golf here – many of whom called Benoni Country Club home.
The honours boards at the club certainly make for interesting reading – and it is impossible to miss the name of AD ‘Bobby’ Locke, who won the Club Championship here in 1935. Among the lists of illustrious names is that of James Ramsay Boyd, one of South Africa’s greatest-ever amateur golfers.
Jimmy Boyd’s exploits on the course are legendary – he was a member of ERPM, Middelburg and Benoni Country Club, and was for many years an automatic choice for international honours. As a 15-year-old he won the Middelburg Club Champs for the first time, and he won the event the following two years as well.
Boyd won the ERPM Club Championship no less than 13 times; in fact, every time he entered. In between these victories, he was also the champion at Benoni Country Club in 1938, ’39 and ’57. Since then there has been a steady stream of excellent golfers at the club – the likes of Des Webster, Glen Carter, Wayne Westner, Ashley Roestoff, Ian Hutchings, and Mark Murless.
At one time there were more than half-a-dozen Sunshine Tour professionals based at the club, including Des Terblanche and Nico van Rensburg. Bryan Prytz, another former club champion who has been a member here for 32 years, turned professional and he plied his trade on the tour before being appointed as head pro/director of golf, a position he has held for 15 years.
Naturally proud of his club’s rich history, which involves hosting multiple amateur championships and other important events, Bryan stresses the fact that it is the membership, an enthusiastic and diverse group, which really makes Benoni Country Club what it is. “We are really one big group of friends,” he says, and any visitor to this club is likely to feel that they are part of this group.
The course
There is a good mix of holes on this course and, for a player hoping to score well, the ability to place one’s tee shots in the correct position on the fairways is critical. Importantly, the handicap player is likely to find sufficient room to get away with a few less-than-perfect shots, and will be able to enjoy the experience without hunting for balls in penal rough. The greens are well contoured and there are more than enough interesting pin positions available.
Interestingly, both nines begin and end with par fives, the pick of which is the finishing hole. “Our 18th is one of the best finishing holes in the country,” says Bryan. “With water all the way down the left of the fairway and a thickly wooded area to the right, there is no bale-out – and if the approach to the two-tiered green finds the wrong area, players can easily find themselves three-putting.”
The club decided to introduce wildlife to the course and, although one could question the wisdom of this, there is something rather special about seeing springbok and blesbok strolling about the place.
With a strong tennis, bowls and squash section, this is indeed a ‘proper’ country club, yet without the snobbery associated with others of its kind. With more than enough room for entertaining in separate areas of the large clubhouse, reasonable prices and a reputation for excellent cuisine, it is little wonder that a large percentage of this club’s revenue comes from private functions. General manager Clive Taylor has paid his dues in the hospitality industry (a former executive chef) and he runs a smooth operation.
Benoni Country Club is a dyed-in-the-wool classic – and if you have never played this course, a trip to the ‘Far East Rand’ is highly recommended. Besides the golf course, if you can find better value than the ‘lights out’ bar menu, let us know. For my money, just seeing those famous names on the honours boards is well worth the greenfee.
Picture 1
The 14th is a wonderful risk-and-reward hole – longer hitters are tempted to have a go at the green from the tee (a shot of 282 metres), but danger lurks to the left of the target.
Picture 2
The par-three 3rd has a hazard guarding the front-right portion of the green, so ideally the ball should finish below the hole, leaving an uphill putt.
Picture 3
The 16th, a par-four (321m) dogleg, requires the shorter hitter to keep his tee shot to the right of the fairway, which opens up the approach. Longer hitters can take on the corner and leave themselves a short pitch to the green.
Picture 4: The clubhouse
The large clubhouse has ample room and a selection of different venues. The quality of service as well as the excellent cuisine makes this a popular venue for private functions.
Likes...
- The club’s history of great players. This club could assemble an ‘all-time’ team that could beat most.
- The pro shop – friendly, helpful staff in a traditional store that charges reasonable prices.
- The 19th hole has a great atmosphere and is frequented by unpretentious members.
- The ‘lights out’ menu – superb food at a bargain price.
... and dislikes
- The alien trees – a problem that is being rectified.
- Distance from where I live. This is the sort of club I would like to join.
Fact File
GETTING THERE : Take N12 highway heading east of Johannesburg. Take the Snake Road turnoff, turn left, then first right into Morris Avenue. The entrance is about 1km on the left.
COURSE: Classic Highveld parkland, kikuyu fairways and bent greens. 6 659 metres, par 72
DESIGNERS: Original unknown. Later work done by Robert Grimsdell and Christian Robinson/Rob O’Friel
GENERAL MANAGER: Clive Taylor
COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Brian Buys
CLUB CHAIRMAN: Gary Brown
CLUB CAPTAIN: Ron Christison
PGA PROFESSIONAL: Bryan Prytz
GREENFEES: Affiliated R240, non-affiliated R310
CONTACT:Tel: 011 849 5211
Website: www.benonicountryclub.co.za
