Life in the Eastern Cape is said to move at a slower pace – and it’s once you’ve spent some time there that you can appreciate just how satisfying that is. Known as the ‘Friendly City’, Nelson Mandela Bay or just ‘Die Baai’, this corner of SA is about as wallet-friendly as it gets.

There’s more bang for your buck from the pubs and restaurants to the cultural sightseeing, and while the wind may be guilty of blowing a little too hard a little too often, the city of PE has more than enough to offer the accidental tourist. At the risk of sounding like a tourism brochure, you need to get out there to experience the charm yourself – and if you do, these are the courses you'll want to play...

PORT ELIZABETH GOLF CLUB
The course
Being the second-oldest golf course in the country, PE Golf Club has a heck of a history behind it – as the clubhouse full of memorabilia will attest – but the future is looking even brighter for the city’s premier parkland layout. The club has spent a lot of money getting the course into the great shape that it is currently in, including the reshaping of the greens and the introduction of a water reticulation system and, judging by its substantial ‘younger’ membership, it has invested money wisely. Most of the Eastern Province team plays out of ‘The Hill’ and the league teams have been dominating over the past few seasons.
Why play there?
At the moment, PE Golf Club is probably the best-conditioned course in the area, with sloping bent grass greens and lush fairways generating value for good shots. Compared to other PE courses, the greenfees may appear a bit steep, but this is a seriously good track that has hosted no fewer than six SA Open and SA Amateur tournaments – and it’s still under R300.
Greenfees
R270 (affiliated) and R380 (non-affiliated)
Contact
041 374 3140 or golfmanager@pegolf.co.za
Website
www.pegolf.co.za

WALMER COUNTRY CLUB
The course
Walmer Country Club has suffered in the past due to its location near the township, but things are about to change for the good as the course undergoes a redesign, which is part of its evolution into a golf estate. The course has always been a great layout, with a tight opening nine and a back nine that requires some thought off the tee, and it is generally in good condition with a festive, friendly membership base.
Why play there?
Walmer Country Club is one of the most underrated tracks in the area. At R150 a round, you would be hard-pressed to find better value and a surprisingly well-conditioned course.
Greenfees
R150 (affiliated) and R225 (non-affiliated)
Contact
041 581 4211 or manager@walmercountryclub.co.za
Website
www.walmercountryclub.co.za

WALMER GOLF CLUB
The course
The first course in Port Elizabeth to incorporate a housing estate, ‘Little Walmer’ put the profits from the sale of its land to good use, building a magnificent clubhouse and pumping money into the course. The club recently called in the expertise of Simon Hobday to help touch up the nine-hole course, and the result is a more flowing layout with much-improved water features. Despite being a nine-holer, Walmer GC is making serious strides as a club, and the improvements to the course have brought about a change of fortunes in terms of league success and a younger membership. Under good management, this is a club that is going places, and once the course changes settle, it will be another good reason to visit PE.
Why play there?
One of the oldest tracks in the country, Little Walmer is a small course with a lot of heart. The members are friendly and the course is not too challenging, meaning that it’s a great layout for golfers of all ages. At a hundred bucks for affiliated golfers it is also amazing value for money.
Greenfees
R100 (affiliated) and R140 (non-affiliated)
Contact
041 581 1613 or marcelleroux@telkomsa.net

UITENHAGE GOLF CLUB
The course
Although the town of Uitenhage has a tendency to emerge somewhat unfairly as the butt-end of numerous jokes<