There’s hardly any difference in length between the nines at Highland Gate, but I find this a course where the front nine seems reasonably simple and forgiving, and the back nine far less so. It has an interesting setup of three 5s, three 4s and three 3s and less welcoming greens are well protected with water hazards and frontal bunkers. Lots can go wrong for the club golfer, notably at two demanding par 5s, 11 and 14, and one of the country’s best par 3s, No 15. Highland Gate, with most of the traffic being from visitors, has always been a one-tee start course, but will be changing to a two-tee start, meaning half the weekend field will begin on No 10. And the club’s legendary marshall, Ferdi Kukard, has retired and left Dullstroom, which is a loss for the club and community.