Dear Member
It’s been a busy and exciting start to the year at The Clarens Golf & Leisure Estate.
In total, we had 851 rounds of golf played during January, and we kicked off the year with a bang by hosting the inaugural Caledon Cup, which was a huge success! The Summer Singles Match Play also got underway with Round 1, and we were thrilled to see so many of you getting involved.
In addition, we completed our Hollow Tining process, and we also had our Annual Members Meeting on the 31st of January, where we caught up on the latest club updates and future plans.
While we did receive a bit of rain this month, we still need more. We’ll dive into the details in the Greenkeeper’s Report, where we’ll provide further insight into how the course is doing.
Thank you for making January a month to remember, and we look forward to another great year ahead!
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Greenkeepers Report
As we look back on January, we are pleased with the progress made on the course, despite some challenges.
Hollow tining took place on the 13th and 14th of January, and we are happy to report that the greens have recovered in record time. A big thank you to the rain that followed shortly after the process, as it provided the perfect conditions for optimal recovery. The timing of this rainfall was ideal, helping the greens bounce back quickly and smoothly.
In other course maintenance news, the poplars behind the 4th green were removed due to their roots invading the green and causing significant damage. This necessary step was taken to prevent further harm and maintain the integrity of the playing surface.
While we’ve seen some scarce rainfall this month, we remain hopeful for more in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we continue to use water wisely and strategically, ensuring that our irrigation efforts are both efficient and effective in maintaining the course.
We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work to keep the course in top condition for all players. |
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Membership Renewals 2025
We would like to remind you that it’s time to renew your membership for the upcoming year, which starts on the 1st of March 2025, memberships are valid until the 28th of February 2026.
Why Renew Your Membership?
As an active member, you continue to enjoy a host of exclusive benefits, including:
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20% Discount on Food and Beverages: Enjoy a 20% discount on all food and beverage expenses, available every day of the week. Whether you're relaxing after a round of golf or catching up with friends, your membership ensures you’re treated to fantastic savings.
- Substantial Discounts on Green Fees: Members also receive a significant discount on green fees, making your golfing experience even more enjoyable.
Payment Options Available
We understand that sometimes it’s easier to pay in instalments. If you are unable to pay your membership in full, please contact our Golf Director directly at golf@theclarens.co.za to discuss payment terms or patterns that can suit your needs.
We’re here to ensure that renewing your membership is as smooth and manageable as possible.
Don't Miss Out!
Make sure to renew your membership before the 28th of February 2025 to enjoy uninterrupted benefits.
We look forward to another fantastic year together, thank you for being a valued member of our community!
Annual Members Meeting (31 January 2025)
On January 31st, 2025, we held our Annual Members Meeting, and we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the members who took the time to participate. It was an engaging and interactive session, where we had the opportunity to discuss the progress of the club, share ideas for future improvements, and address any concerns from our members.
We value your input and appreciate those who attended, as your participation truly makes a difference in shaping the direction of our club.
The meeting offered a chance for open dialogue, and we were pleased with the contributions and feedback from those who were present.
However, we must express that the overall attendance was disappointing, with only a small percentage of our members choosing to attend. These meetings are an important opportunity for all members to have a voice in the future of our club, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of these forums moving forward.
As a club, we rely on the involvement and engagement of all our members to thrive and continue offering the best possible experience for everyone. We hope to see a stronger turnout next year, as your participation is key to the continued success and growth of the club.
Once again, thank you to those who attended, and we look forward to working together to build an even stronger club in the fuure.
Caledon Cup 2025
On January 12th, 2025, we gathered for the highly anticipated Caledon Cup, where teams came together for a day of spirited competition and camaraderie. A huge thank you to all the players who participated and supported the event, making it a memorable occasion for everyone involved. Your energy and sportsmanship truly made the day special.
The results of the day were as follows:
1st: 152 pts Kestell
2nd: 150 pts Clarens
3rd: 137 pts Reitz
4th: 126 pts Ficksburg
5th: 108 pts Ladybrand
6th: 99 pts Clocolan
7th: 51 pts Heilbron
8th: 31 pts Bethlehem
Congratulations to Kestell for their impressive victory! To all the teams, thank you for your support and dedication, and to everyone who came out to cheer, your support was invaluable.
Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year for more fun and friendly competition at the Caledon Cup!
Club Championships
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We are excited to announce that the Club Championships will be held on the 14th and 15th of March 2025.
This is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and we encourage all members to take part!
The Men’s A Division will play both days, with 18 holes of stroke play scheduled for each day.
Please note that the Men’s A Division is the only group playing across both days—so be sure to mark your calendars if you’re competing!
For all other players, there will be an 18-hole competition on Saturday the 14th of March.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your skills, compete for the championship title, and enjoy a day of golf with fellow members.
This is our way of spoiling our members and showing appreciation for your continued support.
We want to give back to you, and everything for the event is on the house, except for carts and caddies/spotters, should you choose to use them.
You can enter in advance using the online entry form—please find the link below to register.
Digital Entry Form: https://forms.gle/FKTzRkU9UardsDw79
Don’t miss out on what promises to be a great weekend of golf!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Clarens Open |
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The wait is almost over! We’re excited to announce that the Clarens Open is returning on May 30th & 31st, 2025!
Get ready for a weekend full of great golf, friendly competition, and unforgettable moments.
Stay tuned for more details coming soon. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this!
Weekly Competition Results
Friday 10 January 2025 (IPS)
Puma Energy Competition
First Place: Ralph Burls
Second Place: Kevin Jordaan
Wednesday 15 January 2025 (IPS)
18 Holes Competition
First Place: Ralph Burls
Second Place: Kevin Jordaan
Friday 17 January 2025 (IPS)
Puma Energy Competition
First Place: Helen Squirrell
Second Place: Wouter de Wet
Wednesday 22 January 2025 (IPS)
18 Holes Competition
First Place: Peter Bonney
Second Place: Heindrich Dyer
Friday 24 January 2025 (Bonus Bogey)
Ciglers Meat Competition
First Place: Werner Engelbrecht
Second Place: Dougy Bubb
Wednesday 29 January 2025 (Medal)
KWV Thirsty Thousand
Fist Place: Tommy Pitout
Second Place: Neil Mann
Friday 31 January 2025 (IPS)
Ciglers Meat Competition
First Place: John Craven
Second Place: Janet Engelbrecht
Golf RSA & R&A 9 Hole Challenge
The Golf RSA 9 Hole Challenge has been an exciting journey so far, and we’re now heading into the final month of competition! Every Friday, players have been competing in 9-hole rounds, earning points and climbing the leaderboard.
With some thrilling moments and impressive performances, the competition is nearing its grand finale.
February is the last month where players can compete, and the pressure is on to finish strong! The top two players with the highest points by the end of the month will be sent through for the regional draw. This is the moment all competitors have been working towards, and it’s all still to play for!
As we head into the final stretch, here are the current standings:
1st: Lourens De Jager – 114.5 points
2nd: Mike van Niekerk – 92.5 points
3rd: Steve Oliver – 74.5 points
4th: Fanus van Heerden – 71.5 points
5th: Ralph Burls – 70 points
Lourens De Jager is leading the charge with a strong 114.5 points, but Mike van Niekerk is not far behind, and there’s still time for anyone on the leaderboard to make a move. The next few weeks will be crucial, as every point counts!
The final month promises to be a nail-biter as participants aim to secure one of those top spots and advance to the regional draw. It’s been fantastic to see the dedication and sportsmanship from all players so far, and we encourage everyone to keep pushing for those vital points.
Best of luck to all players as we head towards the exciting finish of the Golf RSA 9 Hole Challenge!
Care for the Course
Caring for the Course – Small Actions, Big Impact
As members of our club, we all share the responsibility of maintaining the quality of our course.
A little bit of care from each player goes a long way in preserving the beauty and playability of the greens, fairways, and bunkers we all enjoy.
Here are a few simple but essential actions that help keep our course in top condition.
Repair Divots on the Fairway and Tee Boxes
After hitting your shot from the fairway, take a moment to replace or repair any divots you’ve made. It’s a quick and easy task that helps keep the turf intact for the next player. Also, don't forget to repair any divots you might make on the tee boxes. There is divot mix containers conveniently located on each tee box – make use of them to keep the surface smooth and healthy.
Let’s all do our part to keep the course in great shape.
Repair Pitch Marks
If you’re on the green and notice a pitch mark, take the time to repair it. Don't hesitate to fix any marks you spot, even if they’re not yours – it’s all part of maintaining the course together.
Rake the Bunker and Leave the Rake Properly
After playing from a bunker, it’s your responsibility to rake the sand and leave the rake halfway in and halfway out of the bunker.
This ensures the next player can play from a clean and well-maintained area.
And remember, you’re not the only one who uses the bunkers – a little extra effort from everyone keeps the course in perfect shape for all.
No Cigarette Butts on the Course
Please refrain from disposing of cigarette butts on the course.
Not only is it unsightly, but it’s also harmful to the environment.
Dispose of your cigarette butts in the designated bins provided throughout the course.
Feel free to ask the Caddie Master for an ashtray before you tee off.
Let’s keep our course clean and pristine!
Littering is Not a Good Look
Please use the dustbins provided on the course for any litter you may have. From wrappers to water bottles, we all need to pitch in to keep the course clean.
After all, it’s not just about your score; it’s about respecting the course we all love to play.
HNA News . Quoted from Handicap Network Africa
“Dear Golfer,
As another year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the past 12 months and share some interesting numbers and statistics. Join us as we take a look at the trends and milestones that shaped the game this year.
National Number Of Golf Club Members.
Some very good news was an uptick (albeit a slight one) in the total number of golfers, by 2.38%, from 152 999 in 2023 to 156 641 at the end of 2024.
This statistic is not only for South Africa, but also includes Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Swaziland and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The total number of local golfers in SA, at the end of 2024 was 139 496, comprised of 123 123 males and 16,373 females (which represents the 1.87% increase mentioned previously), against the end of 2023, when the total was 136 923 golfers of which 120 856 were male, and 16 067 females.
Total Number Of rounds?
While not reaching record-breaking levels, 2024 saw an encouraging total of 4 209 011 rounds registered, reflecting a 0.81% increase compared to 2023, which recorded 4 175 266 rounds, and this growth highlights the continued enthusiasm for the game across the golfing community, both here in South Africa and globally.
From the total number of scores entered in 2024, 10.29%, or 433 186, were hole-by-hole scores, showing an increase compared to the 9.57% (72 315) recorded in 2023.
This rise suggests a growing preference among golfers for detailed score submissions.
The busiest month for golf was March, in which 410 509 scores were captured. This number was an increase from the previous year, during which the most rounds played in any month were the 393 922 scores captured in December 2023.
The three next busiest months for 2024 were: December which registered a strong showing again, with a total of 390 941 rounds, followed by January with 386 991 and 374 209 in February.
This suggests that the majority of us are still ‘fair-weather’ golfers, which is perfectly acceptable. However, given the almost Biblical volumes of rain experienced by many parts of the country since December 2024, it will be interesting to see whether this will have had a ‘dampening’ (!) effect on rounds’ numbers, when we do our look-back in January 2026?!
Which Were The Busiest Golf Clubs?
In this category, there were 11 164 rounds separating the top two clubs in South Africa, both of which are 36 holes’ venues - Country Club Johannesburg (72 914) and Randpark Golf Club (61 750).
In the 18-hole-course category, Westlake Golf Club came in at number 1 with 40 893 registered rounds, at an average of 110 rounds per day, and it was closely followed by Clovelly CC, which was only 779 rounds behind.
The highest number of 9-hole rounds played during 2024, were at Somerset West Golf Club, with 8 951 ‘9-holers’ captured between visitors and members. Coming in a close second was Hermanus Golf Club with 8 314 9-hole-rounds.
Eagle Canyon hosted the most handicapped visitor rounds at 25 708, with Fancourt taking second with 20 586 visitor rounds, followed by Sun City with 17 188 visitor rounds.
Which Platform Holds ‘The Torch’ For Most Submitted Scores?
The HNA mobile app once again proved to be the preferred method for golfers to submit their scores in 2024.
The tally - a remarkable 87.06% (3 665 040) of all scores submitted were via this platform. Additionally, 2.52% (105 980) of scores were entered through the clubs’ terminals, while 3.01% (126 573) were submitted via the Golfer Login on the website, demonstrating the variety of tools available for golfers to manage their scores effectively. The average handicap index for male golfers in 2024 was 14.2, while the average for women was 21.0.
The Busiest Clubs Per Region Were:
Central Gauteng Golf Union
THE COUNTRY CLUB JOHANNESBURG
Ekurhuleni Golf Union
BENONI COUNTRY CLUB
Gauteng North Golf Union
WINGATE PARK COUNTRY CLUB
Mpumalanga Golf Union
MBOMBELA GOLF CLUB
North West Golf Union
MAGALIESPARK COUNTRY CLUB
Limpopo Golf Union
Polokwane Golf Club
Boland Golf Union
HERMANUS GOLF CLUB
Border Golf Union
EAST LONDON GOLF CLUB
Eastern Province Golf Union
PORT ELIZABETH GOLF CLUB
Free State Golf Union
MACCAUVLEI
KwaZulu-Natal Golf Union
MOUNT EDGECOMBE CC
Southern Cape Golf Union
MOSSEL BAY GOLF CLUB
Western Province Golf Union
WESTLAKE GOLF CLUB
Northern Cape
KIMBERLEY GOLF CLUB
Botswana
GABORONE GOLF CLUB
Malawi
LILONGWE GOLF CLUB
Zimbabwe
ROYAL HARARE GOLF CLUB
Tanzania
DARES SALAAM (DAR GYMKHANA) CLUB
Mozambique
CLUB de GOLFE da BEIRA
Democratic Republic of Congo
KINSHASA GOLF CLUB
Zambia
LUSAKA GOLF CLUB
Swaziland
NKONYENI GOLF ESTATE
Namibia
WINDHOEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Note: All figures are only for rounds that are registered on the HNA system.” Quoted from Handicap Network Africa
Rule of the Month
Purpose of Rule: Rule 1 introduces these central principles of the game for the player:
* Play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies.
* Play by the Rules and in the spirit of the game.
* You are responsible for applying your own penalties if you breach a
Rule, so that you cannot gain any potential advantage over your opponent in match play or other players in stroke play.
1
The Game, Player Conduct and the Rules
1.1
The Game of Golf
Golf is played in a round of 18 (or fewer) holes on a course by striking a ball with a club. Each hole starts with a stroke from the teeing area and ends when the ball is holed on the putting green (or when the Rules otherwise say the hole is completed).For each stroke, the player:
* Plays the course as they find it, and
* Plays the ball as it lies.
But there are exceptions where the Rules allow the player to alter conditions on the course and require or allow the player to play the ball from a different place than where it lies.
1.2
Standards of Player Conduct
1.2a
Conduct Expected of All Players
All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:
* Acting with integrity – for example, by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play.
* Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there might be a danger of hitting someone, they should immediately shout a warning, such as the traditional warning of “fore”.
* Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.
There is no penalty under the Rules for failing to act in this way, except that the Committee may disqualify a player for acting contrary to the spirit of the game if it finds that the player has committed serious misconduct. “Serious misconduct” is player behaviour that is so far removed from what is expected in golf that the most severe sanction of removing a player from the
competition is justified. Penalties other than disqualification may be imposed for player misconduct only if those penalties are adopted as part of a Code of Conduct under Rule 1.2b
<https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-1#1_2b> .
1.2b
Code of Conduct
The Committee may set its own standards of player conduct in a Code of Conduct adopted as a Local Rule.
* The Code may include penalties for breach of its standards, such as a one-stroke penalty or the general penalty.
* The Committee may also disqualify a player for serious misconduct in failing to meet the Code’s standards.
1.3
Playing by the Rules
1.3a
Meaning of “Rules”; Terms of the Competition
The term “Rules” means:
* Rules 1-25 and the definitions in these Rules of Golf, and
* Any “Local Rules” the Committee adopts for the competition or the course.
Players are also responsible for complying with all “Terms of the Competition” adopted by the Committee (such as entry requirements, the form and dates of play, the number of rounds and the number and order of holes in a round).
1.3b
Applying the Rules
(1) Player Responsibility for Applying the Rules. Players are responsible for applying the Rules to themselves:
* Players are expected to recognize when they have breached a Rule and to be honest in applying their own penalties.
* If a player knows they have breached a Rule that involves a penalty and deliberately fails to apply the penalty, the player is disqualified.
* If two or more players agree to ignore any Rule or penalty they know applies and any of those players have started the round, they are disqualified (even if they have not yet acted on the agreement).
* When it is necessary to decide questions of fact, a player is responsible for considering not only their own knowledge of the facts but also all other information that is reasonably available.
* A player may ask for help with the Rules from a referee or the Committee, but if help is not available in a reasonable time the player must play on and raise the issue with a referee or the Committee when they become available (see Rule 20.1
<https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-20#20_1> ).
(2) Accepting Player’s “Reasonable Judgment” in Determining a Location When Applying the Rules.
* Many Rules require a player to determine a spot, point, line, edge, area or other location under the Rules, such as:
* Estimating where a ball last crossed the edge of a penalty area,
* Estimating or measuring when dropping or placing a ball in taking relief,
* Replacing a ball on its original spot (whether the spot is known or estimated),
* Determining the area of the course where the ball lies, including whether the ball lies on the course, or
* Determining whether the ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition.
* Such determinations about location need to be made promptly and with care but often cannot be precise.
* So long as the player does what can be reasonably expected under the circumstances to make an accurate determination, the player’s reasonable judgment will be accepted even if, after the stroke is made, the determination is shown to be wrong by video evidence or other information.
* If a player becomes aware of a wrong determination before the stroke is made, it must be corrected (see Rule 14.5
<https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-14#14_5> ).
1.3c
Penalties
(1) Actions Giving Rise to Penalties. A penalty applies when a breach of a Rule results from a player’s own actions or the actions of their caddie (see Rule 10.3c <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-10#10_3c>).A penalty also applies when:
* Another person takes an action that would breach the Rules if taken by the player or caddie and that person does so at the player’s request or while acting with the player’s authority, or
* The player sees another person about to take an action concerning the player’s ball or equipment that they know would breach the Rules if taken by the player or caddie and does not take reasonable steps to object or stop it from happening.
(2) Levels of Penalties. Penalties are meant to cancel out any potential advantage to the player. There are three main penalty levels:
* One-Stroke Penalty. This penalty applies in both match play and stroke play under certain Rules where either (a) the potential advantage from a breach is minor or (b) a player takes penalty relief by playing a ball from a different place than where the original ball lies.
* General Penalty (Loss of Hole in Match Play, Two-Stroke Penalty in Stroke Play). This penalty applies for a breach of most Rules, where the potential advantage is more significant than where only one penalty stroke applies.
* Disqualification. In both match play and stroke play, a player may be disqualified from the competition for certain actions or Rule breaches involving serious misconduct (see Rule 1.2 <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-1#1_2> ) or where the potential advantage is too significant for the player’s score to be considered valid.
(3) No Discretion to Vary Penalties. Penalties need to be applied only as provided in the Rules:
* Neither a player nor the Committee has authority to apply penalties in a different way, and
* A wrong application of a penalty or a failure to apply a penalty may stand only if it is too late to correct it (see Rules 20.1b(2) <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-20#20_1b> , 20.1b(3) <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-20#20_1b> , 20.2d <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-20#20_2d> and 20.2e <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-20#20_2e> ).
In match play, the player and opponent may agree how to decide a Rules issue so long as they do not agree to ignore any Rule or penalty they know applies (see Rule 20.1b(1) <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-20#20_1b> ).
(4) Applying Penalties to Multiple Breaches of the Rules. Whether a player gets multiple penalties for breaching multiple Rules or the same Rule multiple times depends on whether there has been an intervening event and on what the player did.For the purpose of applying this Rule, there are two intervening events:
* The completion of a stroke, and
* Being aware or becoming aware of a breach of a Rule (this includes when a player knows they breached a Rule, when the player is told of a breach, or when the player is uncertain whether or not they have breached a Rule).
Penalties are applied as follows:
* Single Penalty Applied for Multiple Breaches Between Intervening Events: If a player breaches multiple Rules or the same Rule multiple times between intervening events, the player gets only one penalty. If the Rules breached have different penalties, the player gets only the higher-level penalty.
* Multiple Penalties Apply for Breaches Before and After Intervening Event: If a player breaches a Rule and then breaches the same Rule or another Rule after an intervening event, the player gets multiple penalties.
Exception – Failure to Replace a Moved Ball: If a player is required to replace a moved ball under Rule 9.4 <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-9#9_4> but fails to do so and plays from a wrong place, they get only the general penalty under Rule 14.7a <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-14#14_7a> .But any penalty strokes a player gets for taking penalty relief (such as one penalty stroke under Rules 17.1 <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-17#17_1> , 18.1 <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-18#18_1> and 19.2 <https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-19#19_2> ) are always applied in addition to any other penalties.
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Kind Regards / Vriendelike Groete
Heindrich Dyer
Golf Director
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