It’s remarkable how challenging this course can be in windy conditions, particularly the easterly where only two holes are straight downwind. You have to mostly deal with tricky crosswinds. But even in a big wind it is eminently playable. One of the enjoyable features of Royal Port Alfred is its quirkiness, and hopefully that will always remain. Please don’t change it. Whale’s Back (No 10) would never be built today, but it’s a hole golfers never forget. There are a number of blind shots to greens, yet this is part of the course’s charm, as is the curious routing of holes which returns the 13th to the clubhouse. You don’t come here for design conventionality, but to experience something different. Currently the course is green after good rains, with the fairways beautifully covered.
