Ebotse is one of Peter Matkovich’s most interesting designs, and there is a wonderful array of good holes to be played. Incredibly scenic too, despite all the housing, some of which has detracted from the aesthetics, notably the high-rise blocks of apartments towering over the par-5 12th. Most enjoyable for me are all the fairway undulations and mounding on this faux links creation. There’s significant movement in the land. I was surprised to learn there are 102 bunkers, especially since some holes have so few. But closer inspection finds them scattered here and there, in all shapes and sizes, and well maintained. The Sunshine Tour recently visited and always interesting to note which holes bothered the pros the most. The toughest three were Nos 17, 9 (both par 4s) and 11, a scary par 3 from the high back tee (187m) to a green perched precariously alongside the dam. Easiest was 18, at 570m the longest of the par 5s which from the back tee demands a long carry over a wetland that would intimidate most club golfers. It’s a fabulous closing hole with a raised green and astounding that it yielded 30 eagles (Jbe Kruger had two) and 162 birdies over three rounds in the Fortress Invitational.
