Situated close to Randburg in Johannesburg, this par-72 course hosts the Sunshine Tour’s Stella Artois Players Championship once again this year. Dainfern Country Club, the second-oldest golf estate in South Africa, opened in 1991 on the site of the old Fourways golf course after the layout was reworked by Gary Player and Phil Jackson.

The Jukskei River, which forms the centrepiece of magnificent layout, comes into play on several holes, most notably between the seventh and 11th, and the 17th and 18th. This, along with the rolling terrain, tests the skills of professional and amateur golfers.

The signature 410m par-four seventh plays off an elevated tee box, with well-positioned bunkers adding to its natural challenges. The green, which is surrounded by trees, overlooks the river. Other notable holes include the 472m par-five eighth which crosses the Jukskei River twice, first with the tee shot to a  split fairway parallel to the river, while the green is on the other side of the bank, guarded by sand to the left. The par-five 18th is also played from an elevated to a fairway which curves to the right along the river bank.

The abundant birdlife, water features and weeping willows provide a tranquil country ambience, which is rounded off by by the vibrant clubhouse which has a raised outlook over the course and river.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Kyle Barker won his maiden Sunshine Tour title at the Stella Artois Players Championship in 2023, when he finished on 30-under 257, which was also a tour record for 72 holes.
• The course record is 59, held by Casey Jarvis at the 2023 Stella Artois Players Championship. He became the second-youngest person, at age 19, to shoot 59 or lower in a 72-hole tournament on one of the major professional tours when he shot 13-under-par in the third round of last year’s event.
• A year after Dainfern opened, Ernie Els won the SA Masters in February 1992 with a 13-under total of 275.