Maccauvlei is looking better presented than it has been in many years, and greenkeeper Stephen Motitsoe has done excellent work in raising the standard of the conditioning. He got it perfect for last weekend’s Free State Open, first 72-hole event of the year for the country’s top amateurs, won on 16-under-par by Wandre Snyman. Enormous fairway bunkers on certain holes, like 6, 9, 10, 17 and 18, are a feature of Peter Matkovich’s redesign of the course 25 years ago. There probably could have been more of them, because they fit in so well to the general character of the layout and look such a natural part of the rural landscape. The 100-year-old old clubhouse has changed character though, as a large modern roof has now enclosed the front of the building facing the course. It provides welcome shade for golfers and much more outside seating.