Evidence that this has possibly been the wettest summer in Gauteng in terms of the duration of steady rainfall month after month is confirmed by the fact that the club has not switched on its irrigation systems since the end of November! Never thought I would hear that in South Africa. Other than some isolated wet areas, though, the Firethorn is playing well and the greens have mostly recovered from the issues faced before the Joburg Open. Last month it hosted the SA Strokeplay Championship and the winning score from our top amateurs was a remarkable 27-under for 72 holes. Jonothan Broomhead won by two from Christiaan Maas. Between them they had 53 birdies and six eagles. Target golf on a soft course. They also benefitted from some of the finest quality fairways I’ve seen. Those perfect lies take some beating.
