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Name: Selborne Country Club
Type of Club: Estate/Resort
Golf Digest Ranking: 34
Sport & Safaris Rating: Gold
Location: Kwa-Zulu Natal
Region: South Coast
Sub Region: Pennington
The Course:
Type of Course: Parkland
Designer: Dennis Barker
No of Holes: 18
Clubhouse and other Facilities:
Selborne is situated on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal which is often referred to as the Golf Coast, as it is home to numerous world class Golf Courses. Umdoni Park is in the immediate area whilst the Wild Coast, San Lameer and Southbroom are between 25 and 45 minutes drive away. Selborne is also a 30 minute drive from Durban which is home to 7 championship courses. Selborne has a well equipped Pro Shop that has quality memorabilia; the clubhouse has comfortable change rooms and a large atmospheric bar. In addition to this there is a fantastic half way house that has good food and all the necessary refreshments. There is an indoor Golf Academy and a driving range shortly on its way. Selborne also has a fantastic English Manor (esq) lodge, which has an elegant a la carte restaurant, a coffee bar and a bar which is full of character and has a golf theme. There are many quaint coastal villages just a short scenic drive from Selborne. As well as the many beautiful beaches in the area, there are also the Vernon Crookes and Oribi Gorge Nature Reserves, the historical Umdoni House and Greenpoint Lighthouse as well as the Wild Coast Sun Resort with its casino and watersports.
The Course:
Selborne is a perfect example of a course being relatively short in terms of length yet challenging at the same time. This is achieved by subtle and extreme changes in elevations, undulating fairways and well placed hazards including the tropical bush that hugs most holes. Another design achievement is the variety of holes and shots that are required to play those holes. It is however at the end of the day an extremely fair course that is very user friendly to the improving golfer. Completing the Selborne experience is the visual aspect of the course, the natural bush and beautifully manicured fairways are dotted with picturesque dams and streams and there are many breathtaking viewpoints of the Indian Ocean below you. Although Selborne is often regarded as a precursor to the Golf Estate boom in South Africa, the houses on the Estate do not intrude on to the course as is the case with many subsequent golf estates. The third is without doubt Selborne's signature hole. A sweeping dog leg down the hill demands an accurate tee shot with out of bounds on the left and bush to the right. A well struck tee shot will give you the option of going for the green in two but there is no room for error into this two tiered green with out of bounds to the right and a water hazard running to the left and behind the green, a great risk and reward golf hole that is both challenging and rewarding to play. The 4th a short par 3 is another challenging hole, the difficulty of this short hole initially appears to be in hitting through a narrow gap of trees over a ravine. However, the interest really starts at the green. This green has an extremely severe slope between two tiers and the putting skills will be put to the test if the ball is on the wrong level. Bunkers to the right and a mound left running down to water are added concerns. Another one of Selborne’s excellent short holes is the 11th which measures 119 metres from the club tees, you tee off from a very elevated tee, with the green surrounded by bunkers and water, there is a carry over trees which makes this hole even the more interesting.
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