White 6447 metres, CR73.4/125
Blue 6085 metres, CR71.0/126
Red 5521 metres, CR67.8/110
Women’s blue, CR78.0/145
Women’s red, CR74.2/137
Weekday affiliated R160,
non-affiliated R210
Weekend AM R245/R325;
PM R195/R240
Bob Grimsdell 1948
011 640 4456
www.huddlepark.com
The resurrection of the Blue Course at Huddle Park has been one of the triumphant stories of South African golf. Closed for years, neglected and overgrown, this former championship layout which borders Royal Johannesburg & Kensington was rehabilitated in the last decade by businessmen David Bagg and Gordon Brews.
There were once three 18-hole courses on this Linkside property, all run by the Johannesburg municipality, but they fell into disrepair in the late 1990s and the land was eventually abandoned. The Blue Course was reopened in November 2013 as a pay-and-play facility. There is also a strong membership of 600 golfers.
Huddle Park has become not only a popular golfing venue, it has transformed itself into a notable family-friendly asset for the community. The parkland space close to the N3 highway offers trails for cyclists, runners and dog walkers, plus Acro-branch tree top activities.
The clubhouse has been rebuilt, there’s a Crossfit gym, while golfers have a pro shop, driving range and Par-3 course to enjoy. Plus a car wash.
The Blue Course is a Bob Grimsdell design which has been restored to its former status, not given a modern upgrade. New greens and bunkers were built. It’s on undulating terrain, so there is a surprising number of uphill and downhill tree-lined holes which give the layout excellent variety and character.
The downhill 14th is a superb risk-and-reward short par 5 (446m) where a long drive sets golfers up for a second shot over a water hazard to the green.
63 by Rourke van der Spuy in 2015 Mauritius Open Qualifier; Jason Froneman, 2016 Big Easy Tour; Danie van Tonder, Anton Haig in 2020 Sunshine Tour Vodacom Championship Reloaded.
There is an outstanding public range at the entrance to Huddle Park, with plenty of bays. The resident teaching pro is Steve Hutchinson, the son of SA golfing legend Denis Hutchinson.
Bob Grimsdell designed 54 holes at the original Huddle Park, which had the Blue, White and Yellow courses. The first was built on land purchased in 1948, the second shortly afterwards, and the third in the late 1950s.
Huddle Park hosted the first non-racial Sunshine Tour event, the November 1971 PGA Championship, where 16 black professionals were allowed to compete alongside American Lee Elder, who became the first black man invited to the Masters in 1975.
1/ The Blue Course is closed on Mondays.
2/ The green fee for the 9-hole Par 3 course is R60 weekdays and R70 weekends.
3/ During the 1970s the three Huddle Park courses were doing over 150 000 rounds of golf a year. The SA PGA Championship was twice held on the Blue Course in 1971 before it moved to the Wanderers in 1972.
4/ Huddle Park is home to the Golf School of Excellence and the Balderstone Sports Institute for soccer and tennis students.
5/ There is a new residential development on land adjoining the clubhouse.
6/ Huddle Park hosted the 2017 SuperSport Ladies Challenge won by Kim Williams.
2021 Michael Brugman & Caron Shamley
2020 Gavin Gunter
2019 Donovan Shan & Trevlyn Boyd
Conditioning Ratings
Facility RatingsTransformation of note! Worthwhile playing as it's a different course to years ago. Still a long way to go, but heading in the right direction. Greens have come a long way.
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