Milnerton

Located to the north of Cape Town on Woodbridge Island, a sandy spit that’s bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Rietvlei Lagoon on the other, the links-like layout at Milnerton Golf Club is an old-fashioned “9 out then 9 in” course that dates back to 1913, when an inaugural 6-hole course was first brought into play.

The course was closed at the start of the First World War and re-opened in 1925. Scotsman Archie Todd, the professional at the Metropolitan Golf Club, assisted with laying out a new 18-hole course and he became the club’s first professional that same year. He won the SA Open title four years later at nearby Royal Cape Golf Club.

In 1995, Milnerton was given a major overhaul by Golf Data when part of the course was given over to a housing development and this resulted in the loss of a few holes, the retention of some others and the construction of a number of new holes.

The 493-metre par five 8th is classed as the signature hole on the scorecard. Wetlands to the left of the fairway form an intimidating distraction from the tee before water to the right of the narrow green lies in wait for leaked approach shots.

Golfers play the outward nine with the prevailing south easterly wind – known as the “Cape Doctor” – at their back so they face a tough time after the turn if it’s blowing hard, as it often does between December and March.

“Milnerton is regarded by many golfers in Cape Town as a true links layout as I tlies on sandy terrain,” writes Stuart Mclean in the book South African Golf Courses: A Portrait of the Best. “However,” the author continues, “while the holes closest to the sea have links qualities, the adjacent holes are more parkland in nature.

Furthermore, the fairways are flat rather than undulating, and the course does not have the hums and hollows which are natural features of true links courses, created as they are from dunes bordering the sea. Nor does Milnerton possess the fearsome rough which is predominant in links golf, although there is plenty of bush lining the holes.

Even without the rough, Milnerton is an exacting test of shot-making, and when the wind blows even the most skilful player is confronted with a tough challenge. An outstanding feature of the course is its many sloping greens, reminiscent of championship layouts in Britain and the United States. Milnerton has a special appeal to golfers during the wet Cape winters, as the sandy base of the course allows it to drain well.”