Port Saint Johns played on 26 Feb 2020

Another fantastic day driving up the Wild Coast to the town of Port Saint Johns. Not a very touristed town compared to the towns on the South cost and definitely not a sought after place for golfers. Never the less or maybe because of that, we had decided to visit the town`s golf club: Port St. John Golf Club.

Before we went to the club we visited Steve Roberts at his pub and restaurant situated in the town alongside the Umzimvubu River. We got in contact with Steve through Peter Crowther who runs a  B&B named Tranquility where we stayed for the night. And that is what it is – tranquilt.

A quiet place at the mouth of the river. Steve is one of the golf clubs benefactors and the forces behind its daily management. We got a reception like we were old friends who have not seen each other for years. A 4-ball with local players had been arranged before our arrival.

This is how they present their course:

“Golf in Port St. Johns can you believe it!

We are fortunate to have our own golf course here in Port St. Johns, just a five minute walk away from Jungle Monkey. You will find a 9 golf course with 18 different T Boxes. The atmosphere on the golf course is quite relaxed and there is no fancy dress code. Golf clubs will be provided by Jungle Monkey or you can rent your own at the golf course for an additional cost.

Take sunnies and a hat.

Duration: as long as you want,

Price: R 50.00.”

Eza decided not to play, so we went on the course in a 5-ball.

And what a 5-ball. Dries van der Merwe (I will introduce Dries later) and 3 of the club’s younger members. 2 of them in plus handicaps. One with a John Daly-like back swing and a 250m drive and another with a beautiful smooth Ernie Els-like swing.

I can tell you that no one of these guys have ever had a lesson by a professional teacher. What they have learned about golf have been taught by the members.

The clubs they played with was given to them by some of the local players. Old models, no fancy modern fitting of shaft, flex, length, loft etc. etc. Just grab the thing and hit the ball. And that they did.

I lent one of the youngsters my PXG 4-iron. And I tell you, he hit the ball so beautiful.

We had a long talk with Dries. He is the club’s handyman and green keeper – fantastic, everything it takes to run the club and course is done by the members. Fairways is not tightly mowed and the green is not in anyway near Tournament standard, but what a joy to play the course and what great company.

On the first nine holes I struggled to find both the speed and the line on the greens. But watching the local players putting, I learned to hit it hard and just go for it. Just good solid strokes and the putt will go in – and not blaming the greens, if not.

As Dries said:

You know Finn, I do what I do for the love of the game. It is great to get out in the morning, walk the course together with other members and – not the least – go to the bar after the round, enjoy a beer and a chat with the guys.

The club have 100 members with only about 15 active members. Go and visit the club and play the course if you ever get the chance.

Evaluation of Port Saint Johns golf club played 26 Feb 2020 – (9 hole course)

Short summary

Port St. Johns is one of the nine hole course I have chosen to evaluate. Not because of the beauty of the nature or the maintenance of the course, but because of the authenticity and the ambience of the place and the very friendly or should I say inclusive welcome you will get.

The course design is actually very interesting. It blends in with the landscape like it have been there all time. Give the members a bit of time and money to work on the fairways, some greens and bunkers and you will have a fantastic golf course. Before you go, give them a call and you will be treated like an old friend.

And, by the way, you can find some fantastic B&B’s and some great restaurant at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River.

Questions, comments and suggestions are always welcome.