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 The stunning 27-hole Paarl Golf Course is situated in the picturesque valley on the outskirts of South Africa's third-oldest town, Paarl. The course, first laid out on the banks of the Berg River in the 1950s, has been redesigned by Danie Obermeyer and David Frost. David Frost, a Paarl native and still a prominent winemaker in the area, has brought local knowledge and experience gained on both the US and European professional golf tours in assisting in the design of the course, cleverly utilising the Berg River, dams and mature trees to produce a highly-acclaimed championship-standard course layout. Bunkers are cleverly positioned to add excitement and a challenge to the course. The option to choose one of four different tee-off positions guarantees that the course is fair and playable for golfers of all standards. Well-kept, undulating bent grass greens stylishly end off every hole. Visitors are more than welcome to join in our Wednesday and Saturday competitions, or to participate in our regularly-held open competitions, but we will be equally delighted if you just join us for a round of friendly golf in your own two, three or four-ball game. We have all the facilities associated with a first-class golf course; a modern clubhouse, a well-stocked bar, a halfway house, a restaurant, carts, caddies, a top-class teaching pro, a pro shop and many other features. Above all Paarl Golf Club has a tradition of friendliness, which continues to be one of its key characteristics. Celebrating that tradition and our Boland heritage we strive to provide a unique golfing experience for our members, visitors and corporate clients. The warmth of our welcome is built on the natural interest, friendliness and desire to please, which is characteristic of the people of our town and our region. We look forward to welcoming you to our club and our course. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN - SEPTEMBER 1908 The club was formed in September 1908 with an entry fee and annual subscription amounting to 10 shillings. Exactly two weeks after the club had had its inaugural meeting, the first layout was completed and members were invited to come and show off their skills on the links. This nine was situated on the banks of the Berg River in northern Paarl in an area today known as Zanddrift. However, not everyone was overjoyed at the opening of a golf course, especially not the residents of the nearby Van der Poel Plain who were worried about the proximity of the new course and vehemently protested its existence, pointing out that golf was a dangerous game. In an effort to win them over the club formally invited these residents to watch the action and see for themselves that their beliefs were ill-founded. As luck would have it, one of the residents ventured in the way of an oncoming golf ball during this excursion and was struck on the head. The outcome of this unfortunate incident is unknown. However, the fact that the golf club still exists, indicates that the group of concerned residents lost their battle. THE VERY FIRST LAYOUT Shortly after the first layout opened, a second course was laid out near Fraterburg, south of Paarl, by a group of members who believed that the first course was too far out of the way for their convenience. The second layout did not last long and after a few months those who supported it gave up and rejoined the original club. The club moved to its current location on the southern bank of the Berg River in 1955. The new site had obvious advantages as a golf course location. Not only did the Berg River wind its way alongside the north-eastern edge of the property, but the land had soft undulations and afforded its patrons spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The group of 13 members moved from the old site to the new and included two men who, in later years would play instrumental roles in the club's administration. They were Michiel du Toit, a former captain of the club who later served as the club's president for a record of 15 years, and Andy van Wyk who also served the club as captain and president. Ten years after the club took occupation of its current property it ran into severe financial trouble. In an effort to save the club a fund-raising project was launched during which life membership was sold at a price of R200. The club reached its target of R10 000, which enabled it to survive. Over the years the club has launched various innovative projects, the most successful of which has undoubtedly been the Winelands Classic. As one of the most prominent events on the South African amateur calendar, the Winelands was first held in 1978, the first event of its kind in South Africa. Played in early October each year, it draws golfers from all over the country for a week-long festival of golf that incorporates various competitions, culminating in the Winelands Classic Proper, the main event of the week. PAARL GOLF CLUB TODAY Since 1997 the club has gone through some radical changes with the development of the Boschenmeer Estate. The Boschenmeer Estate was developed as a team effort incorporating Paarl Golf Club, Paarl Municipality and Syfin Properties and incorporates a low-density residential development set on 140 hectares on the course. The project included the design and construction of an additional nine holes, turning Paarl Golf Club into the Western Cape's first 27-hole facility.  PRINT THIS PAGE
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