One of my favourite long par 3s in Gauteng is the 11th at Centurion. This has evolved into a particularly attractive looking hole as well as a dangerous one. Centurion has a problem with golfers not repairing pitch marks on the greens, but the 11th green is mostly unscarred as few golfers hit it in regulation. It is a hole where the safest option does seem to be a lay-up even though there’s no water hazard. I like the thatch-roofed lapa on the tee box, the wonderful greenside bunker under the bushveld trees left of the green, and the desert scape down the right of the hole with its variety of plants. With so many distractions how can you concentrate on the tee shot? Talking of tees, Centurion’s are better than most. They are closely mown, firm, level and well presented. Quality tee boxes are not appreciated enough. Centurion reminds us of what can be achieved.
