Oppenheimer Park Golf Course, Welkom

Oppenheimer Park Golf Club, Welkom, Free State / The challenging and well-manicured course, with its profusion of magnificent tall trees lining the fairways, is on the outskirts of the gold-mining centre of Welkom and lies next to a large dam inhabited by thousands of flamingos. Both nines open with demanding par-four holes. The first, at 422 metres, is long and straight.

The Course
Power and accuracy are the keys to success here. The 10th, 395 metres, is a dogleg left. The drive is important and must avoid the trees on the corner of the dogleg. The green is protected by bunkers and gives the impression of being tucked away behind trees, bushes and shrubs. Water is an abiding factor at Oppenheimer Park, and the 'dreaded drink' is in play at five out of seven holes from number 6.

There are hazards at the 6th, 7th and 8th holes, while the 9th is slightly uphill and a long par-five of 511 metres. This is a demanding four-hole stretch and the halfway house comes as a welcome respite for the struggling golfer, who may seek refuse here in another kind of 'drink'. The best hole on the inward loop is probably number 17, an excellent little par-three where water front the green. Oppenheimer Park is well known for its excruciatingly tough rough.