Pecanwood pioneering perfection

Although technically not the first of Jack Nicklaus’ designs in South Africa, Pecanwood was the first Nicklaus signature course to be launched in the country. (The ‘Golden Bear’ had designed Simola in Knysna, but due to unfortunate circumstances, there was some delay before this course was eventually completed.)

The doubters

Anyone who had visited the Pecanwood site prior to the construction of the layout might have had their doubts – this was not the most promising swathe of real estate, and most would have believed that Nicklaus and the Golf Data team would have to work a miracle for the course to turn out to be anything special.

It may have been on the banks of the Hartebeespoort Dam with some impressive views of the Magaliesberg Mountains, but the terrain was decidedly flat and uninteresting. Once Nicklaus and his team had completed their work, however, the course was well worthy of joining the great man’s stable – they had indeed worked wonders.

Imaginative shaping, together with typically Nicklaus-designed bunkering and some interesting and logical routing, combined with large, modern greens, made for something rather special. This was certainly the most talked-about new course at the time – and everyone who visited the new Pecanwood understandably raved about the high standard of the course’s conditioning.

For those who were familiar with the original tract of land, what had been achieved was hardly credible. If there was a criticism, it was that not enough of the dam’s shoreline had been incorporated into the design, but this project was, after all, primarily about selling rather pricey properties, which the naysayers (and there were quite a few) claimed to be too far from the major centres of Sandton or Pretoria to make for a viable residential estate.

There was also the issue of polluted water flowing into the Hartebeespoort Dam – a matter that was, and remains, the cause of grave concern among environmentalists. Add to this the fact that this estate would be one of the high-density variety (800 properties), with home sites rather cramped and in many cases rather close to the playing areas, and it is easy to see why certain prospective golf-estate investors initially chose to take their business elsewhere – a decision some might regret today.

New standards

It was clear that Pecanwood was determined to establish new standards when it came to the golf experience, and no holds were barred in ramping up service levels at this impressive facility. This club can pride itself in being one of South African golf’s pioneers when it comes to five star-treatment, and these standards have not only been maintained, but steadily improved. From the moment one enters the estate, it is clear that the developer and the management of Pecanwood have not missed a trick in positioning this as an upmarket estate, and it can certainly consider itself to be one of the best.

The clubhouse

The clubhouse is large enough to comfortably accommodate large groups, yet it manages to retain a cosy feel. The decor is tasteful, and of a style that enhances the feel of an opulent country club, without being ‘over the top’.

The views of the course, the dam and the mountains from the upper level, which houses the lounge, restaurant and bar areas, are quite magnificent, and the first-time visitor cannot fail to be impressed.

The design

The design of the course is classic Nicklaus parkland: a generous margin for error from the tees, but it soon becomes apparent that the correct areas of these wide fairways must be found to allow attacking approaches to be played into the greens.

There are multiple ‘bail-out’ options on this course, and the high-handicapper is given enough latitude to hit less than perfect shots, but still manage to make a respectable score.

There are no less than 110 bunkers scattered about the layout, but for the most part they can be easily avoided. The areas surrounding the greens also allow for a variety of recovery shots to be played – the better player can take on the fancy flop shot to get the ball close to the flag, or a more conservative strategy can be employed by playing the ‘bump-and-run’ shot or even putting to sections of the greens.

A lot of thought went into this design – from the championship tees, the layout measures a mammoth 7 020 metres, and is rated as 74. (The par-five 7th, measuring 582 metres, was at the time of construction the longest three-shotter in the country.)

At full stretch this course represents a serious test of ball-striking even at altitude. From the club tees, the layout is a more manageable 6 515 metres, but still no push-over.

Importantly, it is difficult to find anyone who does not thoroughly enjoy playing this course, because it is certainly both interesting and fair. The more one plays it, the more one realises that it is less about ripping a drive down the middle of the fairways and aiming at the flags, but rather thinking about angles of attack and avoiding some penal bunkering and lengthy, undulating putts.

Nicklaus was always known as a master of course management, and those that play this course well will know that the best route is not always the shortest or the most obvious one.

The atmosphere

The general manager of Pecanwood, Ken Payet, is naturally proud of his club, and he stresses that he and his team make a concerted effort to go the extra mile in ensuring that members and guests all receive a warm welcome and leave the club having enjoyed their day.

“We cannot ignore the fact that competition has increased in recent times, and I suppose like many of my colleagues in this business, the challenge is to keep costs down, without compromising the product – we are constantly looking for ways of adding value to the Pecanwood experience,” he says.

It is easy to see why this club is a popular venue for company and private golf days, and it hosts more than 100 of these days every year, and a total of 38 000 rounds are played here annually.

Besides the immaculate conditioning of the playing area, one cannot fail to notice how impeccably the surrounding gardens have been maintained, and the general housekeeping on the estate cannot be faulted.

An aggressive tree-planting programme was instituted when the course was constructed, and this has continued. As these trees mature, so the general feel of the course and estate improves and it is amazing to think that this course is only a little more than a dozen years old.

If the rumour mill is to be believed, Jack Nicklaus will be returning to Pecanwood in the near future to look at ways of further improving his handiwork.
It is difficult to see how he will manage to do this, but then we all had our doubts that a course this good could be built on land so uninspiring in the first place.

Picture 1

The 162- metre par-three 3rd is the shortest and one of the most picturesque holes on the course.

Picture 2: BOE Dream 18

The short 13th is Pecanwood’s signature hole, with water guarding the left side of the green and a generous bail-out area to the right.

Picture 3

Meticulous manicuring, gentle mounding, beautiful mountain backdrops and well-positioned holes in relation to water features, all combine to make this course a special experience.

Picture 4: The clubhouse

The opulent clubhouse offers spectacular views of the course, and the service levels here compare with the best in South Africa.

LIKES

• The manicuring and attention to detail
• The high degree of playability of the course
• The superb driving range, which is perfectly positioned near the clubhouse

... AND DISLIKES

• The long drive from the main entrance to the clubhouse
• The proximity of some of the homes to the playing areas – but this has become less obvious as the trees have matured
• The pro shop could be a little bigger

FACT FILE

Getting there: From Sandton travel north along William Nicol Drive towards Fourways. Turn left into Witkoppen, and next right into Cedar. At T-junction (8.5kms) turn left then first right. At the next T-junction turn right onto the R512 and continue until reaching Hartebeespoort Dam. Turn left and the entrance to Pecanwood is on the right.

Description Classic parkland, par 72, 7 020 metres. Kikuyu tees and fairways, bent greens.

Head teaching professional Max Birkenhead

Membership 900 (all categories)

Visitor Greenfees R450

Contact 012 244 8000 www.pecanwood.co.za