Yellow 6831 metres, CR 74.8/147
White 6326 metres, CR 72.1/141
Blue 5803 metres, CR 68.1/126
Red 5297 metres, CR 66.5/123
Women’s blue, CR 74.2/142
Women’s red, CR 72.2/138
R884 weekday unaccompanied
Visitors need to be accompanied by member
R681 member guest weekday
R804 member guest weekend
Martin Hawtree 1993,
Sean Quinn (Golf Data) 2008
011 202 1620/1
www.thecountryclub.co.za
30 (2023), 32 (2022) & 36 (2021)
The modern Rocklands layout is situated in a visibly contrasting setting to its older CCJ sibling, the parkland Woodmead, being a rare bushveld-style course in the heart of Gauteng, with rock formations and rough edges. On its undulating terrain it has indigenous trees and natural grasslands, and the holes offer spectacular views of nearby Sandton skyscrapers and the more distant Magaliesberg mountain range.
Named after the farm bought by CCJ, it began as a 9-holer in the mid-1970s and CCJ was a 27-hole facility for 15 years. Before it could be extended to 36 holes, the club first had to establish their own water supply to irrigate two courses, as the property had no water of its own. In 1991, chairman Fred Kleyn and his committee formed a strategic plan aimed at securing the future of the club. Land was sold to finance two reservoirs, multiple storage dams and a new clubhouse, opened in December 2000.
Initially the Rocklands was very much the secondary course at CCJ, before being transformed in 2008 by Golf Data designer Sean Quinn. His major upgrade – the nines were also switched – raised it to the same level of quality as the Woodmead. The Rocklands is slightly longer off the championship tees, has magnificent new bunkering, and the course hosted the 2013 men’s SA Amateur Championship.
The water hazards on the Rocklands are now more in play than before, particularly on the closing stretch of holes starting at the downhill par-4 14th. The last five holes are outstanding, with water in play at all but the 18th. The contoured greens were seeded with blended Penn A1/A4 bent grass, and the surfaces are as quick and challenging as those on the Woodmead.
62 by Christiaan Burke in the first (11 birdies) and third (10 birdies) rounds of 2022 Northern Amateur. He won on 21-under 195.
63 by Jaco Prinsloo in 2012 IGT Tour event; Pascal Gunther in 2023 Northern Amateur
The par 3s are all outstanding and varied, and often require long irons or even woods from the back tees. The fourth green is superbly guarded by bunkers, the sixth is 215 metres uphill, while water hazards guard the front of the greens at 15 and 17, which have slopes and ledges to test a player’s putting ability. The third is a glorious long dogleg right par 5 which sweeps downhill as the fairway turns. The 11th at 477 metres from the back is the longest par 4 on the club property, and among the most demanding in Gauteng.
The club’s Auckland Park grounds include the Dormy House boutique hotel with 18 en-suite rooms. Available to members and guests and visiting reciprocal members.
Spacious range with grass and mat bays a short walk from clubhouse, close to first tee, with an excellent short-game area. Each CCJ course has its own practice putting green. Experienced resident teaching professional John Dickson is recognised by the PGA of SA as one of the top 5 teachers in South Africa, and has been PGA Coach of the Year in 2007, 2012 and 2022.
1/ CCJ has an outstanding 9-hole Mashie Course, opened in 2017 and built by Golf Data. Holes vary between 70 and 130 metres and it’s a fun and quick experience carrying no more than a few short irons and a putter. Great place to introduce youngsters to golf.
2/ CCJ hosted its first men’s SA Amateur in 2013 on Rocklands. Thriston Lawrence (Mbombela) became youngest champion at 16 years 88 days (beaten by Christo Lamprecht in 2017). Northern Amateur was played for first time at CCJ in 2019 (Woodmead), then Rocklands from 2021. Strokeplay champions: Jayden Schaper (2019), Casey Jarvis (2021), Christiaan Burke (2022), Pascal Gunther (2023), Altin van der Merwe & Charl Barnard (2024). Matchplay: Burke (2019), Yurav Premlall (2021-22), Daniel Bennett (2023), Dian Kruger (2024).
3/ The course was built for R2.7 million. Rocklands designer Martin Hawtree is the son of Woodmead designer Fred Hawtree. He’s famous for creating the Trump International Links in Scotland.
4/ CCJ was founded in 1906, and golf was played at Auckland Park for 50 years on what is now the Rand Afrikaans University campus. The Auckland Park venue is still used for functions and social events.
5/ Junior member Amilkar Bhana was the 2019 SA Under-15 champion and 2021 SA U-17 runner-up.
2024 Vuyisani Makama & Gia Raad
2023 Amilkar Bhana & Samantha Whately
2022 Adam Breen & Samantha Whateley
2021 Adam Breen & Samantha Whateley
2020 Adam Breen & Samantha Whateley
2019 Marcus Capuzzimati & Daniella Bekker
If you've played this course recently, why not tell us all about it? Follow the link to our review section, complete our grading criteria and give us some details on your experience. If selected, your review will appear amongst the course’s collection of player reviews.