Parkview is steeped in tradition, so proud of its history that 1916, the year the club was founded, is marked on the tee boxes. It loves its link to Bobby Locke, who chose Parkview as his home course. Will we see a major tournament at Parkview in 2035 to celebrate the centenary of Locke’s famous victory as a teenager in the 1935 SA Open? I noticed that Locke’s statue has been moved to the middle of the practice putting green. This is a unique and old-fashioned layout — three par 5s and three par 3s is unconventional — which might have become outdated but for Golf Data’s remarkable greens renovation 25 years ago. The greens provide character and challenge to every hole, combatting the effect the golf ball and today’s equipment has on reducing Parkview’s shorter 4s. Admittedly we were on the blue tees, but I watched one of my playing partners attack the greens with his driver on six of the 12 par 4s, Nos 4, 6, 11, 12, 16 and 18. The ninth was also in range, but that hole is tighter than most, guarded by trees and a well-placed bunker 50 metres short of a raised fortress of a green. For shorter hitters, Parkview offers strategic options and does put a premium on accuracy. At few courses today will you play seven consecutive 4s, as you do from No 6 to 12, or back-to-back 5s at 13-14. And the finish from 15-18 is as varied as you will find: Lengthy 3, short 4, demanding uphill long 4, and medium 4 with a green perched below the 19th hole balcony of the clubhouse.
