History of the Skukuza Golf Club
Our Heritage – The History of the Skukuza Golf Club
Golf quickly found its niche in Skukuza and soon there were enthusiastic golfers such as Neels de Jager, Pieter Steenkamp, Jan van Achterberg, Soekie Schoeman, Con Maartens and Herkie Smit joining the intrepid Nic de Beer and Jan Viljoen. The restrictions of the “course” could not dampen their enthusiasm. Things went well for a while but as their dexterity increased, the men realized that more space would be needed to take the longer clubs out of the bags.
On 12 June 1971 the first six players teed off on what was now officially the “Toulon Golf Club”, the fore runner of the Skukuza Golf Club. Mr Roche limited the number of players to 3 four balls. An exception was made when ladies also played. In his own words: “In the case of mixed gruesome the number of participants may be doubled as women do not count, unless you are outnumbered”. The first six players were Nic de Beer, Jan van Achterberg, Jan Viljoen, Ian Crabtree, the late Pieter Steenkamp and the LATE Neels de Jager, all considered to be the Founding Members of the now Skukuza Golf Club.
The enthusiasm could not be dampened and even sponsors started appearing. The first sponsor was Vinto Minerals with three cases of Coke and soon after SA Breweries sponsored two cases of beer. The large boot of Jan Viljoen’s old Pontiac acted as the bar and apparently the conviviality after the game is not considered part of the club’s history and has nothing to do with anybody!
Skukuza golfers now at least had a golf facility within reach but a “practice area” would do wonders for their golf. One day the late Pieter Steenkamp had to clear an area for the laying of water pipes from the new reservoir, near the present seventh tee, to the staff village. No one is quite sure exactly what happened but the operator on the machine apparently lost his way on a wandering track through the bush, taking out many shrubs and small bushes before eventually reaching his destination!
The Park Warden could not contain his annoyance but was very surprised at the keenness of quite a few men who volunteered to help with the mopping up operation of this absolute disaster. All the ripped up vegetation and shrubs were removed, the water pipes completed and at the same time there was sufficient area available for the practice facility a few new holes!
On 23 October 1971, the founding meeting of the Skukuza Golf Club was held, with 19 members, including 5 ladies, present. The development committee of Nic de Beer, Pieter Steenkamp and Neels de Jager was elected.
By 1974 the course was completed but yet without a clubhouse. In the beginning a tarpaulin was pulled over some nearby schrubs as and when required. Later a steel frame was erected, covered by a tarpaulin to give the clubhouse a more acceptable shape. Neels de Jager’s small bakkie served adequately as the bar.
Growth pains were inevitable but friends and sponsors such as Vinto Minerals and SA breweries maintained their valuable support. Already at Toulon, Volkskas Makelaars supported the fledgling club with a donation of R50 for the development of the club. With the completion of the course they now donated R450 for the supply of water to the course. The first floating trophy was donated by Barlows and competed for on 23 March 1974.
To commemorate the opening of the course it was decided that this tournament will be the main event on the club’s calendar and will in future be played during the first weekend in May every year. Originally the event covered three competitions, one on the Friday afternoon and two competitions on Saturday. The popularity of the competition increased to the extent that more competitions were added. By 1988 two competitions per day were held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a Ladies Day on the Wednesday Afternoon. Presently there are two competitions on all four days of the Tournament.
Towards the beginning of 1984 the installation of the automated irrigation system on the course was completed with the assistance and involvement of the local members. This obviated the moving of the sprinklers umpteen times a day.
Soon the membership of the club exceeded expectations and it became apparent that the clubhouse and its facilities were not sufficient any more. The Park Warden at the time, Dr. Salomon Joubert, a very keen golfer himself, agreed to the construction of a larger clubhouse.
Under the leadership of the then chairman, Stoffel Ahlers, sponsorships were obtained from a wide range of interested parties and suppliers. Cash was raised in as many ways possible, all helping to construct the present facility. Johan Schoeman drew up plans for the building and with the expertise of the members of the club, the building was completed in 1989 and officially opened by Dr. Tol Pienaar during the “Joke” tournament the following year. At that time the building was fully paid for!
Since the Skukuza Golf Club came into being, the course and its facilities were only available to the members of the club, Parks Board staff and their invited guests. After all these years eventually pressure was brought to bear on the committee to open the course to the general public and after serious consideration and discussions with SANParks senior management, this was done on 15 November 1999.
The club also saw many well known individuals walking its fairways. It played host to the likes of Mr. FW de Klerk, the Crown Prince of Malaysia and golfing legends such as Hugh Baiocchi, Mark McNulty, Bobby Lincoln, John Bland, Tony Johstone, Dale Hayes, Mark Wiltshire, Jeff Hawkes, Joe Dlamini, Trevor Dodds as well as the present course record holders Wayne Westner and Phil Simmons.
Today, the Skukuza Golf Course is a magnificent 9-hole (18 tee) golf course situated in the world renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa. It is found on the outskirts of Skukuza Rest Camp within the rich wildlife sanctuary and provides the visitor with a harmonious close-to nature golfing experience.
