Irene

This course of Irene Country Club dates back to 1912, when Laurie Waters, the professional at Orange Grove Golf Club and the designer for Durban Country Club, brought nine holes for the first time in play. The layout was later expanded in the following decade to an 18-hole layout through Bob Grimsdell and his brother.

In 2007 Phil Jacobs - who was the lead designer at Gary Player Design when he laid out the courses at Leopard Creek and Fancourt was enlisted to improve the Irene course just in time for the 100th anniversary celebrations of the club.

He revamped all of the greens and green complexes. He also rebuilt the tees, and then renovated those bunkers in the fairway. According to Phil states, "in the design process I tried to incorporate traditional shapes and ideas to keep the course in an old-fashioned golf course that is enjoyable to play for everyone who plays golf".

The top hole in the first nineteen is par 3 151 yards 7th hole, which is dubbed "The Pulpit". It's actually the signature hole at Irene and requires golfers to take a thrilling tee shot from a high spot over The Hennops River to a distant green that lies below.

The 480-yard par 14th hole ("van der Byl") is the most difficult hole of the second nine. It has an out-of-bounds hole towards the right, and trees on right of the fairway the green is protected by a dam in front and a water hazard in the back. The most sensible golfers will lay up their second shot, then attempt to pitch and putt for par.