Maccauvlei is looking particularly beautiful at this time of year, green and leafy and a tranquil course at which to play in the countryside. In good condition too. The club is this week hosting one of their two main trophy tournaments, the Harry Oppenheimer. First played in 1964 and won by the legendary amateur Dave Symons, this is the 58th edition and the title has been won by numerous celebrated players, including home club member Charl Schwartzel three times in a row when it was still 36 holes in one day. Now it’s over three days and is a world ranking amateur tournament. The other event is the 36-hole Vaal Amateur, started in 1959 when it was won by Denis Hutchinson. Hutchy shot 140, and the record is 130 by Kyle McClatchie in 2016. Maccauvlei is one of the few clubs to have retained their original clubhouse from the 1920s (it would be dwarfed by many modern golf estate homes) and the interior reeks with character, particularly the lounge at the main entrance with all its memorabilia. The single-storey building is a magnificent backdrop playing the superb par-5 18th hole. And next door to the clubhouse is one of the best on-course pro shops in SA, owned and run by club professional Marthinus van Staden. It’s packed with a wide range of the latest equipment.
