Eight years since Golf Data redesigned the Firethorn, creating seven new holes which transformed the layout. However, some members would welcome back two of the old holes, the original par-3 second and par-4 third. This pair today is taken up by the “new” par-5 second, a hole which from what I’ve heard might be one of the most unpopular to play in Gauteng. It wasn’t well received by the pros when Randpark hosted the SA Open and Joburg Open on the DP World Tour. It was played as a 460m par 4 in the 2021 Joburg Open and averaged 4.67. It’s an inverted L-shaped hole with a river bordering the right side of the fairway from tee to green. And the bank down to the river is a steep slope. The fairway off the back tees is a narrow target because of danger left and right. Left is a fairly conspicuous pumphouse and the dam for No 16, hidden from sight of the second tee. Members have suggested restoring the par-3 second and converting the current par-3 fifth and short par-4 sixth into a strong dogleg left par 5.