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Umkomaas

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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Golf at Umkomaas dates back to 1913, but the course in play today (where PGA Tour winner Tim Clark learned his trade) is a Bob Grimsdell creation from 1932.

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Umkomaas

The tiny coastal community of Umkomaas is located right close to the point the point where it is that the Umkomazi River empties into the Indian Ocean, less than an hour's drive away from Durban. Ukomaas Golf Club started out with a 9-hole layout in 1913. However, it was expanded to an 18-hole layout 13 years after. The course was completed in 1932. Bob Grimsdell was called to design the course and he created the course which is still playing in the present.

Our correspondent from South Africa, Stuart McLean said this regarding Umkomaas: "It has similarities with Royal Port Alfred in the terrain as well as a refusal of committees over time to make changes. This is a unique course for South Africa where you leave the clubhouse to go over the valleys and hills for a few hours of relaxation before returning. The 18th course is situated at the ocean and has the railway running along."

The course extends up to 5,848 meters, with 72 holes on a site of less than 100 acres. The two first holes and the finishing four holes set close to the coastline and the remaining holes navigating over hills further in the interior. The most notable holes are the long 3-par par 4 (rated by stroke index 1,) and the doglegging 10th that is right, and the gruelling 18th that is the longest par four on the inside part.

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Umkomaas

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