Keen to see Kambaku’s new holes since my last visit and I was not disappointed. The new 8/17, a risk-reward short 4 with a semi-island green, runs adjacent to the Crocodile River and Kruger Park, similar in a way to the more famous 13th at Leopard Creek. Longer hitters have the opportunity of going for the green with their tee shots, but the smart play to avoid a wet landing is a layup to a generous fairway. The new sixth is a slightly uphill 180-metre par 3 to the sloping green of the old third hole. Another new hole, the par-5 16th, is short with a wide fairway (which it shares with par-4 seventh) but is well protected by bunkers left and right for both drive and approach shot. The new configuration and sequencing of holes gives a better flow to the round and the feeling of an 18-holer. If there is any “non-18” course deserving of a spot in the Top 100 (alongside Bosch Hoek), this is it!
