NOW OPEN TO GUEST GOLFERS FREE NATIONAL GOLF PUBLICATION SEPTEMBER 2019 THE WANDERERS GOLF CLUB - 80 YEARS & GETTING STRONGER! See page 2 & 3 INTERESTING FACTS FROM 1939 • Wanderers Golf Club was opened • Byron Nelson was the Number 1 player in the world and won 4 majors as an amateur golfer • Humewood Golf Club was ranked Number 25 in the world • Durban Country Club was ranked Number 43 in the world • East London Golf Club was ranked Number 75 in the world • Maccauvlei Golf Club was ranked Number 87 in the world • Lee Buck Trevino was born THE HISTORY OF THE WANDERERS GOLF CLUB “Let not the winning be your only aim, it also matters how you play the game” and always play the ball where it lies. Victor Kent took the bold move in 1936 to purchase 200 acres of ground away from central Johannesburg in what is now known as Kent Park in Illovo. Not only was he motivated to protect the future of the Wanderers Club by moving to a safe haven, but he was determined to provide a less physical sporting outlet for members of the club by creating a golf course. Byron Nelson With the help of club member Felix Oliver and designed by Bob Grimsdell, construction commenced in 1937 and the course was opened in 1939 with 10 playable holes. In 1942 the remaining eight holes were completed. With insufficient ground with which to work and no natural water source the only option was to build a narrow, tree lined, parkland layout which is what we largely have today. The course is now considered to be on the shortish side but more than an adequate challenge for players of all skill levels. Victor Kent was the first Chairman of the club and Felix Oliver the first Club Captain.Three of the original holes were lost when the Wanderers Cricket Stadium was built in the 1950’s and the course was further upgraded by Rob O’Friel in 1999 to USGA specs, for the greens and bunkers in particular, and was one of the first courses in South Africa with a sub-air ventilation system under the greens. The first PGA was played in January 1972 and was won by Harold Henning. Lexington took over the sponsorship in 1977 until they relinquished it in 1995 when the tournament became the first co-sanctioned event with the European Tour in South Africa. During this period we were privileged to play host to many of the world’s best golfers including, Lee Trevino, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Hale Irwin, David Feherty, John Daly, Vijah Singh amongst many other international stars. The P.G.A., played the world over, is truly the ‘professionals tournament”. It is generally organised and run entirely by the professional association. In South Africa the P.G.A. was first held at Houghton in 1965. It owes its origins to Gary Player and Brian Henning, who put up their own money to get the tournament off the ground. Thereafter its success was assured. That first tournament was won by Harold Henning, who repeated the feat in the following two years. Gary Player and Dale Hayes share with Harold the achievement of recording three wins each. The lowest score to win the P.G.A. belongs to Bobby Cole who won in 1986 with a score of 265. This was matched in 1993 by Mark McNulty. In 1971 the redoubtable Louis Luyt approached the club with an attractive proposition to provide an underground fairway water irrigation system. This project was to be linked to his Luyt Lager becoming the sponsor of the future P.G.A. tournaments, with The Wanderers becoming the permanent home for this event. The deal was struck and the first P.G.A. was played at the Wanderers in January 1972. It was won by Harold Henning and a year later by the great American player Tom Weiskopf. Thus began an association with the P.G.A. that endured for 23 years. Lexington took over the sponsorship in 1977, until they relinquished it in 1995. During this period, we were privileged to play host to many of the world’s best golfers, including Lee Trevino, Tom Weiskopf, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Hale Irwin, David Feherty and, of course, our well known South African players. The P.G.A. was always regarded by the professionals as one of the best organised and run tournaments on the Sunshine Circuit. This was due to the part played by dedicated staff and extreme commitment from both lady and gentlemen members who looked forward to this annual event with joy. Winners included five major champions – Gary Player and Ernie Els, Tom Weiskopf, Hale Irwin and Corey Pavin, many leading South Africans, including Dale Hayes three times (1974-76), Gary Player (twice), Hugh Baiocchi, John Bland, Gavan Levenson, Chris Williams, Bobby Cole, Fulton Allem (twice), Tony Johnstone, Roger Wessels, Mark McNulty and David Frost. The PGA had such status that the winner was invited to the World Series of Golf at Firestone, Akron Ohio. This allowed several local players to go on and earn USGA playing cards. - CHRIS CARRINGTON, CAPTAIN 2 EXCITING TIMES FOR THE WANDERERS GOLF CLUB Times are changing, in the world economy, and in golf worldwide. Despite these challenges, the outlook for The Wanderers Golf Club is exciting. The Wanderers Golf Club entered into a land sale agreement with Investec Property, which will have the effect of elevating the club to an unprecedented standard, financially and in terms of clubhouse and golf course. This agreement is in its final stages, with township establishment recently commencing. We are at the exciting stage where clubhouse and golf course redesign discussions are being finalised. These changes along with Investec Property’s future developments will integrate the golf course green belt into a mixed-use development, allowing The Wanderers Golf Club to offer more than just a great golfing experience. Whilst this change will manifest our vision to become the best located city golf club on the continent, we believe it is important not to lose sight of where we currently are. With this in mind, the club has successfully managed a turnaround, which will lead to financial stability. The essence of this turnaround is to embrace current trends, employ the best skills on offer, and understand that more and more golf is played by visitors, rather than members. We welcome golfing visitors, and our doors are open to all wishing to become members. Membership of The Wanderers Golf Club offers substantial benefits, such as preferential tee times, entry into our many long standing competitions, lower cost of green fees, and most importantly, the sense of belonging to a club with history and tradition as old as 80 years. In recent years The Wanderers Golf Club has managed to attract many new members, in all age categories. As part of promoting the club and game of golf, The Wanderers Golf Club hosts a golf development program which will not only add to our membership, but also produce stars of the future. Come and enjoy the Wanderers experience. - ALAN KERDACHI – CHAIRMAN “WE AIM TO ENJOY A FUN FILLED GOLFING WEEK WITH MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF WANDERERS GC AND EACH DAY WILL HAVE ITS OWN FUN FILLED APRÈS GOLF FUNCTION - CELEBRATING 80 IS A CELEBRATION OF NOTE!” Modern Golf Attire - 1939 JHB 66980/OJ Wanderers Golf Club Congratulations on your 80th. Anniversary wishes from your Out of the Ordinary partner. 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