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GOLF AND TURF FEATURE

UPGRADE TO ROYAL JOBURG’S

WEST COURSE GREENS

Royal Johannesburg’s recently renovated west course re-opened for play at the
end of 2022, completing a six-year cycle of upgrades to the 36 hole facility, which

began a few years ago with the east course’s extensive makeover. The re-opening
coincided with a change of name to the club.

The west course, 2nd hole. Photo: M. Sampson

he rebuilding of the west course and approach taken for the west course previous No. 10, which means that this is a
greens, design and reshaping of renovation was as follows: “Many golfers know much tougher finishing stretch of holes on
Tbunkers on site and other changes the east course as ‘east the beast’ because it is the back nine.
were done by Agrano Turf, a company a challenging layout from the point of view of CEO of Royal Joburg, Chris Bentley, says
specialising in golf course renovation, playability. My brief for the west course was that they are pleased to have both courses
maintenance, construction and grow-in. not only to improve maintenance efficiency fully operational again and that the
It is owned by former Royal Joburg course but also to tweak the layout in order to create positive feedback from members has been
manager Shaun Brits, who managed the east an enjoyable and far more playable track of excellent. “The renovation has exceeded
course upgrade in 2017. the two – ‘west the test’, as I like to refer to it.” expectations and both our courses have
Landscape architect Dino De Abreu of In addition to the new greens with 777 now been redefined and brought back to
Novo Landscape & Golf Course Architecture Bent grass and superior bunkers, a further their very best.”
consulted on recommended design changes. change was the switching of the two nines Another switch on the course has been
He states that the design philosophy on the west course. The new first hole is the that of tee boxes between the par-5 sixth

Landscape SA • Issue 127 2023 21