Director of Golf at Simola Alistair Beaumont said, “We are going to make some positive changes during the closure by doing an upgrade of the course. Some tees will be raised, bunkers reshaped and we hope to be open by mid-July.”

Fancourt is also facing some tough times. Word is out that Bramble Hill is being mothballed (Thank God! The Mole has always had a tough time on that course...). What does it mean? Basically, minimum mowing to keep the grass and course in shape, but not fit for play. The reason? Simple maths really; it costs some R6 million a year to maintain (to Fancourt standards), which would mean a minimum of 40 000 rounds a year need to be played. Bramble Hill just doesn’t get close to that. So forget the scare-mongering comments of global financial crises – that’s just crap.

The Links in closed until September to undergo major renovation work. The Mole must be honest here and say that he is happy to hear this. The course (the last time he played it) was littered with Poa and kikuyu and just hasn’t got that look of perfection that made it so impressive when it first opened.