An albatross is a rare creature, but in recent months there have been two of them on the opening par 5 at Blair Atholl, the first by women’s captain and club champion Russo Roberts Gouws (a low handicap) in August, and then this month by golf director Paul Marks, who has previously eagled every par 5. There’s no record of any other albatrosses at Blair Atholl. The first is one of the most exciting 5s in Gauteng, playing steeply downhill to a long and relatively narrow green with water right and bunker left. With five tee options (406 to 582 metres) it gives many golfers the opportunity, after a solid drive, to try and reach the green with their second shots, either by carrying the green or running the ball on through a narrow entrance. Not an easy shot to pull off though from a downhill lie.