Devonvale has become popular with GolfRSA and the Boland Golf Union as a venue for national interprovincial tournaments. In October the Winelands club is hosting the men’s SA Mid-Amateur (it proved a stern test for last year’s SA Mid-Amateur strokeplay, and next year it will be the SA Country Districts. A big plus is that Devonvale can accommodate virtually all the teams on site in their hotel. Spring treatment (hollow-tining of greens) takes place next week to prepare for the Mid-Amateurs. Devonvale still has its winter cloak — thicker grass on the fairways which means no roll — but the greens have been excellent. Some length is being added to take the yellow tees to over 6 000 metres, yet with only one longish par 4 (No 10 at 405) the difficulties here are not length but the deceptive changes in elevation and some cleverly designed greens complexes.
