White 5848 metres, CR71.2/131
Blue 5416 metres, CR69.1/124
Red 4903 metres, CR66.1/114
Women’s white, CR78.0/145
Women’s blue, CR75.2/132
Women’s red, CR 71.8/119
R320 affiliated, R210 for 9
R380 non-affiliated, R230 for 9
R210 and R120 Students & Over 60
Golf cart R380 & R220
Graham Roebert 1987
John Bland & Mark Wiltshire 2009/10
042 285 0321
072 751 6162
admin@fynbosgolf.co.za
www.fynbosgolf.co.za
No 24 (2024)
Fynbos is one of South Africa’s more scenic 9-hole courses, built on high ground on the Tsitsikamma coastline overlooking the Indian Ocean and Eerste Rivier resort.
It is a stunning setting for golf, and the attractive clubhouse offers luxury accommodation and a restaurant. It is popular as a wedding (having its own chapel) and conference venue. It is reasonably remote, nine kilometres from the N2 highway on a dirt road. The nearest main centre is Humansdorp 60 kilometres away. Storms River Bridge is 38 kilometres.
The course first opened in 1987 as the Dirk Fourie Buite Klub. When the course was redesigned in 2009/10 by John Bland and Mark Wiltshire, it was renamed Fynbos. The ownership of the club continues under the Fourie family, currently Dirk Fourie (third generation). The Fynbos Classic, first held in 1987, is thought to be one of the oldest 4-day tournaments for club golfers.
The course was ranked No 24 among South Africa’s Best Nine-Holers in the 2024 Golf Digest rankings. It is relatively unique in this country in having two flags on each of the nine greens. The first nine you play to a yellow flag, and the second nine to a red flag. Fynbos also has internal out-of-bounds which visitors must beware of. The opening two holes, shortish par 4s on hilly terrain, parallel to each other, had their greens enlarged in 2024. Danger lurks in that the fairway right on No 2 is out-of-bounds playing the first, and vice-versa when teeing off on No 2.
From the par-5 third onwards the course improves in leaps and bounds, although internal out-of-bounds continues on No 3 and No 5. The challenging 483-metre third heads inland towards the majestic mountain range which runs alongside the N2. No 4 is a par 3 and the course then heads back downhill towards the ocean with another shorter par 5.
The course doesn’t appear too difficult looking at a card of 5 848 metres from the back tees, but it can play longer than that, particularly in windy conditions. The course has few trees so it does have a links-like appearance.
The best holes are from No 6/15 to the finish in front of the clubhouse. No 15 is only 343 metres but is the No 1 stroke on the card. It’s a beautiful sweeping dogleg left from an elevated tee to a green where golfers get their first clear views of the ocean and the Eerste Rivier resort below the cliffside. The road to the resort is tight on the left corner of the hole, so there’s a risk-reward element to the tee shot for longer hitters trying to carry the dogleg.
The next hole is a flat short par 4 (320-336m) along the top of the cliff. No 8/17, a par 3 of 137/145 metres, is superb. You play over a ravine from two different angles to a wide, shallow green built into a hillside. The final hole is uphill and plays considerably longer than the distance on the card, particularly the 350-metre 18th.
65 by Brenden Fegen in 2020
2023 Quinton Fegen & Brenda Fegen
2022 Brenden Fegen & Brenda Fegen
2021 Brenden Fegen & Brenda Fegen
Brenden has won 8 titles since 2014, and his aunt Brenda has six titles
At Fynbos are 7 luxury rooms, including a honeymoon suite, in the clubhouse, and at Fynbos Ridge there are 12 two-bedroom separate self-catering units with ocean views. Additional accommodation is available to rent close by, including a 5-bedroom house on the beach (Fynbos Golf & Country Estate). There is a wedding chapel and function hall. Fully equipped gym in clubhouse with heated indoor pool. Two tennis courts.
Range 300 metres in length, practice green.
1/ The four-day Fynbos Classic (individual Stableford and teams, founded in 1987) is played in March each year with substantial prizes, including a bakkie and tractor for holes-in-one. It attracts 30 fourballs, golfers from around South Africa. There is a similar 3-day betterball tournament in September.
2/ Fynbos is unique in having two pins on each green. The first nine you play to a yellow flag, and the second nine to a red flag.
3/ The club has 85 members (annual sub R4 100), including James du Plessis, who learned to play at Fynbos, and represented Eastern Province as a youngster in the 1990s. He then played pro golf on the Sunshine Tour & Challenge Tour.
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