Golf clubs and their members take pride in hosting big professional tournaments, and Randpark has proved an excellent venue for both the Joburg Open and SA Open in recent years. A showcase for the club’s Firethorn course. It was unfortunate that last month’s European Tour event should have been marred by a perfect storm of catastrophes. Firstly the off-putting condition of the greens, secondly the sudden UK covid travel ban which chased away the foreign contingent, and then the rainy weather which prevented a deciding third round being played. More than a week after the event the greens are still scarred by the fungicide programme which went awry in baking hot weather coupled with irrigation issues. But they are recovering and should be fine by January. Close up they are not as bad as portrayed on TV. The brown patches are limited, and the greens generally playable. However, this is a course where they reach high standards of perfection, so the damage does hurt.
