Mossel Bay Golf Club

The linksy Mossel Bay course straddles the Cape St Blaize Peninsula, five kilometres from the lighthouse at the point, and from its high position it has glorious views over the Indian Ocean. The club’s slogan for many years has been “You can see the sea from every tee.”

At the turn of the millennium the nearest golf courses were in George, but Mossel Bay now has company on the peninsula with Pinnacle Point just eight kilometres away. They make a compatible pairing for visitors to the town.

The old Bob Grimsdell layout was upgraded in 1999 as part of the development of The Mossel Bay Golf Estate inside and surrounding the property. A new clubhouse was built – currently being extended – and the status of the smallish club was transformed overnight, with an increased membership and more rounds.

It remains a relatively short par 72 layout – three par 4s of 300 metres and less – yet the greens have challenging contours, the terrain is undulating, and the course is exposed to breezes off the sea.

Mossel Bay was the home club of Louis Oosthuizen, who grew up at nearby Albertinia, where he learned to play on the sand greens of the local 9-holer. As a rookie professional, on December 12, 2002 at age 20 he had a dream round of 15-under-par 57 at Mossel Bay with two eagles and 11 birdies. He was out in 29 and back in 28. He finished with a chip-in for an eagle three at 17 and birdie three at 18. He had 11 threes and two 2s on his card. Less than two years later, in September 2004, he scored a 59 with 11 birdies and an eagle two at 18.