Bloemfontein GC is one of two Bob Grimsdell designs in SA from years back given the Peter Matkovich revamp treatment in the 1990s. The other is Mbombela in Mpumalanga which sits higher up the rankings, although BGC is a superior allround design and easier walk. It doesn’t have the bushveld look and undulating terrain though. What BGC does have is 18 strong yet fair holes, and the course would probably be more greatly appreciated if it was in Gauteng. It has a fine balance of challenge and playability, with the Matkovich greens a feature. The slopes are subtle, and they vary from hole to hole in degree of difficulty and shaping. Lots of strategic trees and hazards around the course. Giant trees form beautiful avenues on 9&10, two of my favourite 4s, along with 2&7, 13&16. No 1 (389 white) is a daunting opener, with smaller trees edging the fairway on both sides, a narrow runway you cannot afford to miss. Three par 3s (8-11-16) are the same distance (143-147 white) yet very different with 8 & 11 crossing the spruit which runs through the course. No 18 is a superb dogleg left closing 5 with a well-protected green which epitomises the wonderful risk-reward attributes of the five closing holes starting at 14. BGC has had major bunker issues for some years, but most of the traps have now been redone.
